On the Ice: Learning from the field at Saroma Sea Ice School in Japan
From the 28 Feb - 9 March 2026, Dayna Collins (SAPRI Research Assistant) had the incredible opportunity to travel to Hokkaido Japan to participate in the Saroma Sea Ice School 2026, organised by BEPSII, Cice2Clouds and CATCH. Her participation was funded by the International Glaciological Society (IGS). The Saroma-ko Lagoon, located on the northeast coast of Hokkaido Japan serves as a sea ice research station and is connected to the southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk through two inlets. From early January through early April almost the entire surface of the lagoon is covered with sea ice. The sea ice school is an interdisciplinary winter field school for early-career researchers aimed at equipping the next generation of sea ice researchers.
Dayna shares, that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. She further shares,
"As someone from South Africa, this felt especially remarkable as back home polar research would usually be conducted from research vessels when travelling to Antarctica. Whereas in Japan, it was exciting to walk directly from land onto the sea-ice, something I have never experienced before. Experiencing sea-ice in Japan offered a completely different perspective, while reinforcing the importance of including researchers from the Global South in these international polar initiatives."
During the program, they participated in a range of hands-on scientific activities, including on-ice fieldwork, laboratory work, lectures and workshops, all focused on understanding the interactions between sea ice, clouds and aerosols in polar regions. The topics covered were trace metals and technology, aerosol basics and atmospheric science, sea ice and ocean biology, sea ice gas/flux and ocean biogeochemistry, and sea ice physics. There were practical on-ice and laboratory activities for each component; including workshops and lectures on modelling, time management, scientific publishing and Indigenous Knowledge.
There were many opportunities for networking and connecting with researchers from around the world through icebreaker events, poster sessions and many karaoke sessions. The programme concluded with final group presentations, where participants showcased what they learned and how that newfound knowledge was applied throughout the programme. We also had the opportunity to experience a day cruise on the Aurora in Abashiri, before heading to Shiretoko, where the group enjoyed some downtime exploring the area and enjoying the end of an unforgettable experience with one final karaoke session.
Overall, the sea ice school was an extremely valuable and rewarding experience. It provided a unique opportunity to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience across a range of disciplines.
One of the most significant outcomes was the opportunity to interact with researchers and students from around the world. Hearing directly from leading experts in the field, learning from their experiences and receiving advice on both scientific and professional development was particularly valuable.
The school was an inspiring experience that has strengthened her enthusiasm for polar research and reinforcing her commitment to pursuing a career in this field. Dayna shares that she is extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate and for the knowledge, skills, connections and memorable moments gained throughout the program.
The experience highlighted the importance of ensuring that researchers from diverse backgrounds and regions contribute to polar science. Dayna looks forward to sharing the knowledge and skills that she gained with colleagues back home and applying these experiences to her future research. She would like to thank IGS for funding her participation in the Sea Ice School, and Prof. Marcello Vichi and Cashifa Karriem from the UCT Oceanography Department for their support and assistance with the travel administrative arrangements which made this opportunity possible. More images and videos can be viewed on the BEPSII Sea Ice YouTube Page.
