The Cryosphere in a changing climate - A scientific symposium in the memory of Koni Steffen

The Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL would like to inform you about a symposium in the memory of our past Director, Koni Steffen.

Konrad Steffen – or Koni, as everyone knew him – was a passionate researcher and teacher, who dedicated his live to science through the study of the cryosphere and the climate of cold environments. Koni was driven by the mission of informing about the ongoing, rapid human-driven changes and the resulting impacts on human and natural systems these changes could impose. This scientific symposium will honor Koni’s scientific legacy, covering a wide range of topics, including the study of Arctic sea ice, the dynamics of polar ice sheets, the quantification of climate-driven ice losses in Antarctica and Greenland, the effects of melting ice on global sea level, as well as more generally the impacts of climate change on polar and high mountain environments. With a mixture of invited long-term colleagues that accompanied Koni over the years and early-career researchers that have embarked in the related disciplines only more recently, the event will aim at building a bridge between generations of cryosphere and climate scientists  – a task in which Koni excelled.

The program will consist of both invited keynote lectures and an open poster session. A joint dinner will happen in the evening of the first day.

As we all know, Koni's network was enormous and there is a fair chance that this email is not reaching everyone that it should. Thus, please feel free to circulate it further. Please also note that the available places will be limited.

We will keep you informed about the definitive program, registration, accommodation etc. in due time.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Davos.

The Symposium Organizing Committee