Glaciated North Atlantic Margins –

GLANAM Initial Training Network (ITN)

Outline…Background to the GLANAM projectHow we got involved and how the process workedHow the project is progressing Expected impact of project  Any tips for working with partners Our experience so far  

About GLANAM… We are recently funded FP7 project that scored 96.2 out of 100

researching glaciation in North Atlantic project has a total budget €4.4 million Multi-Partner ITN of 10 institutions from academia and industry:

University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) University of Bergen – Norway (Lead Partner) University of Tromso - Norway University Centre in Svalbard - Norway Denmark and Greenland Geological Survey – Denmark Durham University (England) Scottish Association for Marine Science (Scotland)

industrial partners – Statoil and 2 smaller exploration companies

GLANAM Objectives…1. To determine the role of different glacial/non-glacial

sedimentary processes in shaping the glaciated North Atlantic margins

2. To contribute to the understanding of the extent, timing and rates of decay of marine-based ice sheets.

3. To contribute to the understanding of the influence the ice ages have imposed on the hydrocarbon systems on the glaciated North Atlantic margin.

4. To determine the influence of climate change and sedimentary processes on the fluid flow (and gas hydrate) systems on the glaciated North Atlantic margin.

5. To identify the controlling factors and the role of submarine mass movements with resulting tsunamis on the glaciated North Atlantic margin.

GLANAM research area

GLANAM training aims…

A major aim of GLANAM is to improve the career prospects and development of young researchers

“train researchers with excellent subject specific knowledge, complimented by a broad skillset so they will be well-placed for future industrial, academic or societal employment in Europe”

Training format… Emphasis of GLANAM is in young researchers - recruit PhD

students and Post doctoral researchers that would be based across the partner institutions.

Research supervision - happens in collaboration with at least two GLANAM partners to access various expertise

Secondments - to partner institutions and industrial partners to receive advanced specialist training and access research facilities, multimillion euro datasets from industrial partners, go on scientific cruises

Attend field courses - to learn about glacial processes in detail within the GLANAM study areas

Transferable skills training courses - delivered by Durham University

How did we get involved…2 key things: Research track record and involvement in existing research networks

How the process works…Grant application:

Develop viable PhD projects Research infrastructure in University of Ulster Research expertise of the group Track record – number of PhDs supervised, summaries of

relevant publications

Recruitment – Critical for ITNs as income is tied to the recruitment process – no recruitment = no money

There are strict rules for applicants – need to cast an international net

Recruitment within the University was a bit complicated – make contact with HR and the RO and work along with them in advance

How project is progressingGLANAM only started!Recruitment was the first pressure point – we have

15 posts to fill and the target was to get 14 in place by October 2013 with another to be recruited later on

We met this and the project formally began in October with the first annual workshop in South Norway

All fellows have begun working on the projects

Impact…1. Impact on young scientists - Career development. Knowledge

investment in the Fellows will prepare them for private and public sector employment in areas of geophysics, geology, exploration, academia, government.

2. Impact on capabilities in field of research – GLANAM will strengthen research networks and increase research capacity to successfully investigate the mechanisms that control glaciated margins

3. Impact on European industry – training links and secondments with the industrial partners ensures broadens both skills of the Fellows and the industrial partners and will develop cohort of young researchers well qualified to work in this industry.

4. Impact on climate change science – Research from GLANAM will provide more detailed understanding of marine based ice sheet interactions with the climate system and impact of ice sheets on sea levels.

5. Tsunami Awareness – these are not frequent but have large impacts, there is a history of these occurring in the Artic and GLANAM aims to develop a better understanding of future potential

Tips for working with partners… If you are asked to be part of an ITN, get involved as early as

you can to ensure you get what you want out of it If you are thinking of leading an application, think carefully

about the others you want to invite, are they really the right people who can offer the correct training for the ITN

Administration can be overwhelming at times with frequent requests for information from partners, particularly at the start, so stay on top of it as it can build up.

Make sure you stay in touch with the whole network by attending project meetings - point is to build and maintain future networks and capacity so the ITN is a great opportunity for you and your team so maximize the potential

Experience so far….Overwhelmed by the initial administration of

recruitment process – Pearl Dooley saved my life!Its brilliant being connected to other world leaders

in your field that you can tap into for expertise, advice and data

Grant income is very generous and has given us a lot of flexibility to how we approach our research project and has allowed us to forge ahead.

So overall GLANAM is really good and I would encourage others to apply