Achievement

IGERT core courses stress the formulation of good research questions based on core theory from specific disciplines, and an understanding of ethical issues regarding research and regional policy concerns. Building from material familiar to the student, the group connects their ideas to larger scale interdisciplinary questions that address feedbacks driving rapid environmental change in the polar regions, and related political and cultural issues. Trainees revisit these classroom-derived questions when they are in three very different locations (the ice sheet, the capital, and a science research station) in Greenland for the field seminar. Trainees and faculty come together in the field to analyze concepts about polar systems. The ability to re-envision research after direct observations is a critical educational accomplishment for young researchers to learn.