Dr Christel Hansen from the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology (UP), and Professor David Hedding from Unisa recently visited the Aktru Research Station in the Altai Mountains of west Siberia. The visit was made possible by the BRICS exchange programme where Dr Hansen and Professor Hedding took part in the 6th International Aktru Summer School organised by Tomsk State University. The Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology is one of the current South African departments responsible for the BRICS Network University International Thematic Group of Ecology and Climate Change. This exchange allowed for the sharing of knowledge, skills, and a valuable networking opportunity for all those involved.

This year's School took place 10-19 July and Professor David Hedding was part of the organising committee as the Scientific Coordinators for Geology and Geomorphology. The School had the theme Natural and Human Environment of Arctic and Alpine Areas: Relief, Soils, Permafrost, Glaciers, Biota, and Life Style of Native Ethnic Groups in a Rapidly Changing Climate, with the main goal to study the unique natural region of the Altai Mountains, lifestyles of native ethnics groups and their adaptations to the rapidly changing climate. In the process Dr Hansen and Prof Hedding shared, from a South African perspective, their challenges of human response and adaptation to climate change. The School comprised of lectures given by experts in their field, presentations by participants, as well as excursions to the big and small Aktru glaciers (Maliy Aktru and Bolshoy Aktru), the local Altai Mountain flora and forests. For images of the field trip please visit our gallery.

Developments in monitoring and quantifying landscape response to these changes, as a means of overcoming environmental challenges, are ongoing. Collaboration is imperative for success and the School allowed for the interaction and continued collaboration between Professor Hedding, Dr Hansen, and their Russian colleagues.