Last week, I had the exciting opportunity to run the first and only secondary-school Model Arctic Council ever to take place in Asia: Model Arctic Council Hong Kong! Over five days at Harrow International School Hong Kong, I led a small group of pupils from schools all over China through a specially designed new programme …
7th Online Mini Model Arctic Council for Trent University
Yesterday saw the conclusion of my seventh online ‘mini’ Model Arctic Council (MAC) for students at Trent University, as well as students from other universities and countries studying online with Trent through the UArctic Circumpolar Studies programme. Like my previous mini-MACs, the online simulation was the capstone project of a course in Trent’s innovative online …
Norwich Model Arctic Council for Schools 9
The Norwich Model Arctic Council for Schools (NORMAC Schools) is still our flagship MAC, and the only stand-alone MAC conference in the world for secondary-school pupils. It’s full of official ceremony, intense diplomatic negotiations, elegant dinners, and of course loads of enjoyable learning. And our ninth NORMAC Schools conference this year was particularly special in …
Model Arctic Council Bilbao 7
This year’s Model Arctic Council Bilbao (MAC Bilbao) — our seventh conference at Colegio Ayalde in Bilbao, Spain — marked a turning point. It was the first of my MACs run entirely by Polar Aspect Associates — Josh Gray and Rosie Tregenza, the most senior members of my team, and veterans of many past MAC …
Third lecture at Scottish Association for Marine Science
It was a privilege yesterday to lead another session of the fourth-year ‘Polar Seas’ module at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). It was my third time teaching on this module, and my first since my appointment as a SAMS Honorary Fellow this academic year. My lecture asked the same questions as last year: …
Wycombe Model Arctic Council 5
As usual, our annual series of Polar Aspect MACs began with a return to Wycombe Abbey for the fifth Wycombe Model Arctic Council (WYCOMAC 5). It was a joy to be back! As with the WYCOMAC 4 conference last year, WYCOMAC 5 was set in Wycombe Abbey’s senior management boardroom, complete with a small annex …
Schools Newsletter – October 2024
Welcome back to school! We hope you enjoyed a lovely summer. With the new academic year now underway, we’re excited to announce our 2024-25 Polar Aspect Model Arctic Council (MAC) conferences for schools. Registration is now open for: Wycombe Model Arctic Council 4 — 17-18 January 2025 Model Arctic Council Bilbao 7 — 30 January – 2 …
Appointment to Scottish Association for Marine Science
I’m very pleased and honoured to announce my appointment as Honorary Fellow of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), one of the 12 colleges and research institutions making up the University of the Highlands and Islands. My election as Fellow follows previous collaboration with SAMS faculty, including the first Scotland Model Arctic Council (SCOTMAC), …
6th Online Mini Model Arctic Council for Trent University
Today, I concluded my sixth online ‘mini’ Model Arctic Council (MAC) for students at Trent University, as well as students from other universities and countries studying online with Trent through the UArctic Circumpolar Studies programme. Like my previous mini-MACs, which students seem to have found enjoyable and educational, the online simulation was the capstone project …
Panel discussion at Arctic Congress Bodø 2024
Yesterday, I participated in a panel discussion on ‘Circumpolar Education for Environmental Change and Resilience’, moderated by Maeva Gauthier of the University of Victoria. The discussion was the first step in a project, led by Jeff Birchall of the University of Alberta, to design a locally-centered and student-focused education programme on environmental change and resilience. …