MSc Earth Sciences: Peru field course 2024

July 10, 2024
WDG

The University of Amsterdam MSc Earth Sciences “Geoecological Systems” field course took place this year in Miraflores (Peruvian Andes) during June and July. Eighteen students, including three from Peruvian institutions, spent four weeks exploring the high Andes. During this time the students developed scientific projects to address interests of the local population related to soil quality, environmental pollution, water resources and cultural heritage. Access to the area and embedding within the community was enabled by The Mountain Institute Peru. During the course the students gained extensive ‘hands on’ field experience, developed teamworking skills and discovered the benefits of a participatory approach to research.

This course runs once every two years (to find out about the 2022 expedition click here). Want to join us on a future expedition? Check out our degree program here to enroll.

Images from the University of Amsterdam Peru field course 2024

SASQUA conference

June 6, 2024
WDG

South African research trip (part 1 of 3)

By Jelle Kraak

As part of my MSc Biological Sciences (University of Amsterdam) research project entitled “Assessing the effect of human induced fire regime changes on vegetation in the Drakensberg mountains” (for further details click to see previous post). I’ve travelled to Africa, where I’ll be staying a month. During this mini blogpost series I’ll take you with me on my travels! 

In the first week of my visit here, I along with my supervisor Prof. Trevor Hill and students from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal went to visit the biennial SASQUA (Southern African Society for Quaternary Research) congress.

During the first poster session, I presented my poster which went into detail on how we are developing a proxy to reconstruct past fire using micro-Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (µFTIR). These reconstructed fire temperatures can then be compared with phytolith or pollen data to assess the effects of different fire temperatures on local vegetation over time. The presentation and poster were well received!

After my poster presentation there were two more congress days which were filled with interesting talks and beautiful posters.

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