UNRISK students on the summit of Park Fell, Yorkshire Dales National Park
The 2026/27 academic year kicked off with the UNRISK induction event from 12-15 October, held partly on University of Leeds campus and partly in the Yorkshire Dales, at the University of Leeds’ base at Selside, near Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
Most of the 2025 students joined the 14 new 2026 starters to make a large group. On the first day, they listened to presentations from the UNRISK team, introduced themselves, and met some UNRISK partners (JBA and Climate X) for discussions about climate careers. An icebreaker session followed, featuring a game ‘Decisions for the Decade’ run by UNRISK student Rose Crocker.
Students and staff enjoyed a meal in Leeds city centre on the Monday night, before reconvening for more presentations, and a Wikipedia editing session.
After finishing on campus, the group travelled to Selside in the Yorkshire Dales, where they cooked a meal as a group, and didn’t get much sleep in the crowded bunk rooms!
On the following day they travelled to the nearby Snaizeholme Woodland Trust Estate, which is one of the largest landscape restoration projects in England, and which hosts some Leeds research projects and monitoring equipment. Students learned about making field observations of climate, soils, water, and the uncertainties involved, including a drone demo by Menapia.
UNRISK students investigate the Menapia drone used for weather observations at Snaizeholme Woodland Trust estate.
A team-building caving expedition followed, at the magnificent Selside cave network, and then a pub meal.
UNRISK students about to enter the caves at Selside.
The visit helped the two cohorts to bond through shared activities, not least the washing up over breakfast!
