The multidisciplinary expedition team of 5 students spanning Earth Science, History, Politics and Maths, from 1st year undergrad to final year masters enabled us to build a bigger picture of the landscape. It allowed us to appreciate the feedbacks operating on the landscape and to start to understand the causes of the trends we saw within the landscape.  

Adrian White

Expedition Leader

I have loved being in the natural world from a young age from walking in the countryside to wild camping in Scotland and Norway. I first got involved with trekking expedition though DofE, and in 2016 completed my undergraduate geological mapping project on the edge of Tanafjord, camping and studying a small area. I now look forward to returning to Finnmark and excited to explore the Varanger Peninsula further, taking in the open landscape, arctic wildlife and experiencing the unique culture.

Holly Unwin

Science Officer

Ever since I first visited the Varanger Peninsula in 2016 I have been longing to go back, and I can’t think of a better way to do it than by helping to improve our understanding of environmental change. Very much inspired by science communicators and science festivals myself, I am excited to use this expedition to spread the word about the effects of climate change today. I am a volcanology PhD student with a passion for the outdoors. When not in the lab I am running, making music, or planning the next trip with my little green tent.

Oliver Rice

Treasurer

I’m a European Politics graduate with a love for the Scandinavian wilderness. After completing my Undergraduate degree in PPE at the University of Warwick (with a year abroad at Uppsala, Sweden) I made the entirely rational choice of specialising in patterns of European Banking. When not buried in my thesis I like walking new paths, scheming never to happen trips, and caring a little too much about social justice. The Finnmark Expedition is an exciting chance for me to combine my research experience and penchant for the outdoors to contribute to a cause I feel deeply about - the environment.

Matt Proctor

Medical Officer

I'm Matt, a first year history student. This is my first expedition with the University, and I hope the first of many. I believe human interaction with the environment to be incredibly important in our modern world, making me keen to work with the other members of the team in investigating how the Northern Norwegian environment is changing. I am a keen walker and runner, passions cultivated by the mountain regions of my native Cumbria, and am very much looking forward to exploring this remote region.

Arran Chambers

Logistics Officer

​I grew up in the Lake District and am most at home in the middle of nowhere. I actually enjoy living in a tent! I first visited Finnmark in 2014 and am excited to be returning to research some of the direct effects of climate change on the arctic environment. It's a great opportunity for an arctic adventure and to be involved in a project which is part of great tradition of the British Science Festival.