Fieldwork

Each Fire will be undertaking different field research projects. These projects and their Science Leaders are outlined below:

Pro-glacial hydrology and sediment transport
Prof Tim Stott
This project aims to monitor suspended sediment transport, river discharge and air temperature in the pro-glacial zone of a suitable glacier around the Tasermiut fjord (eg. Uiluit Kua, Sermitsiag or Itivdlerssuaq). It extends work carried out by Tim on the 1998 BSES expedition in NE Greenland. Young explorers will undertake flow measurements, river surveys, 24-hr sampling programmes and sample processing. The 1998 results were published in two scientific journals and the same is hoped for 2009.

Social Sciences
Dr Kris von Wald
The social sciences fire will give young explorers an opportunity to engage in designing and developing an enquiry about the experiences of expedition participants while they are on expedition. YE’s will decide what questions they find interesting and explore different methods of answering those questions. The framework may include an exploration of their individual experiences, the experiences of their fires, the experiences across fires, and the experiences of fire/expedition leaders. They will learn research skills such as interview techniques and observational skills; creative writing, storytelling and case study approaches; gathering and representing data using all of their senses and accommodating different learning styles.

Glaciology
Dr Anne-Marie Nuttall
The glaciology fire will tackle questions that are highly relevant to current concerns about climate change. An ongoing project will monitor melt rates on the surface of the Sermitsiaq glacier, and analyse how these are affected by air temperature, humidity and other meteorological factors. Flow rates of the glacier will be surveyed to see if the glacier moves faster at times when more meltwater is produced. This positive feedback mechanism may lead to substantial acceleration of large areas of the Greenland Ice Sheet (and subsequent sea level rise) and is the subject of much current research. Studying the sediments in front of the glacier will give some insight into rates and directions of its ongoing retreat.

Geology
Dr Siobhán Power
We will start off by looking at the broad geology and landscape around the Tasermiut fjord, SW Greenland. The young explorers will map the geological and the geomorphological features of the region and look at how the two relate to each other. They will then be able to focus on more specific projects such as finding an origin for the sediments in the rivers and on the glaciers.

BSES 2010 Expeditions

BSES will be returning to many locations in 2010 to enable us to conduct year on year fieldwork and build up a body of knowledge.

We are now taking applications for 2010 expeditions:

Peruvian Amazon - Indian Himalaya - Svalbard Summer - Arctic Kayaking - Svalbard Spring

If you are between 16-23 and up for a potentially life-changing challenge, download an application form HERE

It could be you next year!

Support BSES

BSES is a youth development charity that has been running fieldwork expeditions since 1932. Our work simply wouldn't be possible without our funders, supporters and fantastic volunteer leaders.

If you feel you would like to contribute towards expeditions in future years and help more young people develop into more rounded individuals, you can do so by clicking the link below.

If you would like to support our charity, any amount large or small will be greatly appreciated. To find out more about BSES use the links on the right hand side.

Click below to donate now. Thank You!

Team Greenland 2009

A BSES expedition is formed of one or more 'fires'. A Fire is a group of people that historically would hold 12 people in total as this was the number that the founding member of the society, Surgeon Commander George Murray Levick , believed fitted best around a camp fire.

Below are the Fires and their leaders:

Glaciology / Ghostbusters Fire

Leaders
Anne-Marie Nuttall
Jeff Brown
Laura Le Cheminant

Young Explorers
Richard Brown
Bertie Tysome
Josh Rhodes
Alasdair Sherry
Alex Steele
Katy McCalister
Katie Dorritt
Cat Kelham
Pippa Hothersall
Alex Skimer
Alex Bloomfield
Jack Davies

Social Science / Isuma Fire

Leaders
Kris Von Wald
Joe Gibson
Ellie Biggs
Brenda Berry

Young Explorers
Tarik Benelbaida
Thomas Gormley
Stephanie Bell
Philip Orchin
Rebecca Van Hove
Edward Whittle
Rachel Jones
Louise Bradley
Robert Adkins
Dean Smith
Andrew Hewitt
Sarah Bellerby

Geology / Qaqqaq Fire

Leaders
Takako Takano
Siobhán Power
Ben Lane

Young Explorers
Alan Clark
Simon Eastham
Hope Thomas
Kieran Berrington
Nadia Couvert
Helen Burns
Emma McPherson
Fiona Don
Jack Lyndon-Skeggs
Donald Slater
Lee Helyer
Kofi Weekes
Emily Lambert

Fluvial / Kuuk Fire

Leaders
Tim Stott
Vicki Paris
Lyndsey Weare

Young Explorers
Mark Dyer
Chris Miller
Alec Beattie
Ed Morgan
Luke Payne
Kirsten Sinclair
Emmelyn Van Zanten
Claire Turnaley
Joe Benson
Rosie Rowbotham
Thomas Moorby
Jordan Clipson

Base Camp team
Pete Allison
Keith Slater
Nancy Pickup

Fire Support
Irene Bews
Ally Sangster
Andy Kempster

Boatmen
Steve Ayres
Richard Pattison
Nathan Williams

Mountaineers
Johannes Felter
Andy Rockall

Counting Down

In two weeks time the advance party will be arriving in Greenland. Under the leadership of Dr Joe Gibson 10 people will fly from the UK (4 YE's and 6 leaders) to Iceland, stay overnight and then fly to Narsarsuaq. In boats they will transfer to Nanortalik and spend 4 days there before heading into the fjord on 18th July (weather dependent!). In Iceland they will meet one more member (Mr Jeff Brown) of the advance party and in Greenland they will meet the 12th member of the party (Dr Takako Takano).

They have a long list of jobs but the main one is to open the container and unpack food, science kit and mountaineering equipment. They will also be confirming arrangements for the main party. They will be staying in the small red youth hostel with a great view - see pics!