Permafrost and periglacial studies in Nepal (Oct 2015)
The Glacier Trust is developing permafrost and periglacial studies (P&P) in Nepal. Despite the fact that roughly 20% of the country’s land surface is frozen, there are no courses in these subjects at any Nepali university.
In a regime of climate change (CC), P&P studies are of enormous importance. Virtually nothing is known about the extent to which the high pastures (around 5000m a.s.l.) are underlain by permafrost. As yet there are no studies about the extent to which CC is affecting periglacial features and altering rates of sediment transfer.
The Glacier Trust has set up a summer school with the help of Tribhuvan University (the state university) at Kirtipur campus on the edge of Kathmandu. The curriculum has been designed with the help of Dr Steve Gurney of the University of Reading. The summer school is set to start on 12 October and lasts a week. It is followed by a field trip to the Himalayas. The whole programme may take about 3 ½ weeks.
Two places are offered to teach at the summer school and to accompany Nepali students (selected form last year’s programme) on a field trip.
To apply you must have successfully completed a P&P module at 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate level as a minimum qualification. As regards teaching at the summer school, there is likely to be some Nepali support. However candidates are encouraged to promote their own areas of interest and produce their own lecture material, so they are not just reading from a preset framework. Candidates will also be required to help set up a practical exam and assess the results. Regarding the field trip: There are accessible periglacial features near Chhukung-Ri (close to Imja Tscho) in Solu Khumbu, but we will need to assess the location for safety considerations nearer the time. Logistical support and a recommended guide (and, if required, porters) will be provided, but candidates will be expected to take a lead in the research programme which is likely to be about identifying and mapping permafrost and periglacial features.
A risk assessment will be in place. The guide will be in daily contact with base and be updated regularly on weather conditions etc. Candidates will also be expected to responsible for handling some of the expedition finances (including holding emergency money) and have an understanding the affects of altitude sickness both for themselves and for the Nepali students. In short applicants will have to demonstrate a high aptitude for both flexibility and responsibility. In a developing country things do not always go to plan. In the Himalayas, this is particularly true. Safety considerations will always be paramount. If you do not have leadership qualities or cannot be flexible enough to cope with a changing scenario, please do not apply.
This is a volunteer posting. The Trust has a limited education budget. If you wish to apply but have difficulty affording the air fares, insurance and subsistence, the Trust will be pleased to pay. If you can contribute any part or all of your expenses (+/-£1300) you will be directly contributing to our education budget for Nepali students’ study and education costs. Whether or not you can contribute financially forms no part of the selection process and should not be included in your application. This will be only be discussed after the selection process has been completed.
If you would like to apply please email Robin Garton (robin.garton@theglaciertrust.org) no later than 17 July 2015 attaching a single document containing (a) a letter of application (not more than one page) followed by (b) a CV (not more than 2 pages). If are short listed you will be asked to attend an interview in the UK. Details to be advised. For students outside the UK, we will initially attempt an interview via Skype.
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Director
www.theglaciertrust.org
The Glacier Trust
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