What is the JIRP student program?

The JIRP student program is an academic summer course for students interested in glacier science and field skills training. Our eight-week field season is based around a ski traverse of the Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska and northern British Columbia. Our 60+ person expedition stays in permanent field camps while we teach students how to safely live and work on the glaciers, introductory/intermediate glacier science, and how to conduct field research. Along the way students design and carry out their own research projects.

The JIRP student program works in parallel with a variety of research teams who use JIRP facilities for their field campaigns. Throughout the summer JIRP students (supported by educational staff) are implanted with research teams to further their mentorship and training goals.

Twin objectives: Academics and Field Safety

The JIRP student program is both an academic course and a field safety course. The Icefield Traverse is a serious undertaking, and it is essential applicants understand that it is neither a purely academic undertaking nor purely an adventure. There are scientific questions in our world that cannot be pursued without significant technical mountaineering skills - we prepare students to pursue the answers to these questions.

The JIRP academic curriculum covers undergraduate-level Polar sciences with a focus on glaciology, climate processes, glacial geomorphology, periglacial ecology, and interactions between these systems. JIRP is also appropriate for graduate students with limited experience in these topics, as well as high school juniors and seniors who are prepared to progress academically. Students learn through academic and research interactions with rotating faculty from around the world. Lectures and workshops focus on the primary topics listed above but also cover Alaskan geologic history, geomatics and remote sensing, geophysics, scientific literacy, and science communication. In addition, we capitalize on the expertise of our rotating faculty members to cover current questions in science.

The JIRP field safety curriculum teaches students how to live and work safely in alpine and polar environments. We train students on basic backcountry skills, including packing a backpack, hydration/nutrition, and wilderness medicine. During our two- to three-week safety orientation, we progress to covering technical rope skills, backcountry travel on both crampons and on skis, group management, and route finding. While the first section of the summer is devoted to safety training, JIRP students use their skills every day of the season to further their scientific and academic objectives.

What do students take away from the Juneau Icefield?

Student alumni leave JIRP with an intuitive understanding for glacier science after a summer immersed in the alpine environment. They also have improved field work safety skills and access to a powerful alumni network. With these three tools - academic understanding, backcountry competence, and network connections - our alumni are well-positioned for graduate education and careers in research, education, policy, science communication, and outdoor leadership.

Informational Webinar

For more information, please review the Student Informational Webinar below:

Archived Student Informational Webinar Video

Student webinar slides (no audio)

Director of Research Seth Campbell and Director of Operations Annie Boucher hosted an informational webinar for prospective students. The webinar video and the slides are archived above, and we invite any interested students to check them out at their leisure. Please feel free to email us at office@juneauicefield.org with any questions.