The first UNRISK workshop took place from 15th to 19th December 2025.
The UNRISK students undertook tours, field measurements, practical sessions and learned about climate data: how it is gathered and processed, and where the uncertainties lie. They also met Prof Piers Forster over dinner for a conversation about climate science and policymaking.
The students were hosted by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) at their headquarters at Fairbairn House, Leeds. Next to Fairbairn House is the Atmospheric Measurement and Observation Facility (AMOF) where equipment for climate science field campaigns is stored and prepared for upcoming campaigns.
This workshop was the first of 3 residential workshops designed to give UNRISK students the background context to their PhD projects:
Leeds (December 2025): Climate Data
Exeter (April 2026): Data Science (extracting narratives from data)
UCL (June 2026): Decision science (data, decision-making and communications)
“Having come from a non-atmospheric science background, the training week was an invaluable introduction to the tools, workflows and data essential for my PhD Project. During the workshop week, I felt like I really got to know my fellow UNRISK peers through the sessions and social events we’d arranged in our free time. I feel very fortunate to have a cohort where we can work towards our goals together and support each other.“
