The Second RISC-KIT "Summer" School will be held at the University of Faro, Portugal, from 16-20 January 2017. Enrollment is open from 11 July until 14 October 2016.
Course Outline
The course will address the assessment of coastal impacts using numerical tools such as XBeach and analytical tools such as Bayesian Networks. The course will consist of lectures, practical exercises and a field trip to the case study site of Praia de Faro. Computer facilities will be provided, together with the relevant, open-source software. More information on the course agenda may be found on the provided link.
Audience
The course is open to PhD students (preferably 2nd year or more) and early career scientists (postdocs) with a background in physics, mathematics, engineering, oceanography, coastal dynamics, coastal engineering, flood risk or statistics. Basic knowledge of Matlab and programming is required. Experience with XBeach is preferred, but not necessary. Preference will be given to candidates based in Europe.
Field Trip Sites
The Ria Formosa coastal lagoon Case Study site is located on the southern coast of Portugal. It consists of a lagoon protected by five barrier islands and two peninsulas, spatially distributed to produce a cuspate shoreline that extends over 55km. The barrier islands are highly dynamic systems in a constant process of recycling, mostly driven by inlet breaching and migration. At present, two out of the six tidal inlets are artificially constructed, three have been relocated and only one preserves its natural origin. The back-barrier area consists mainly of tidal flats, salt marshes, small sandy islands, and tidal channels.
The main land uses within the site's surroundings concern tourism, nature conservation, aquaculture and salt extraction. Urban development in Ria Formosa is relatively low and occupies a very small area of the system, concentrated mainly in 5 villages. Most of them are located at the back-barrier shores. However, Praia de Faro and Farol expanded seaward of the frontal dune facing the direct effect of the storms. Praia de Faro, is a particularly vulnerable "hotspot" area in the case study site, Ria Formosa. Storms approaching the Ria Formosa may directly impact in the barrier islands provoking overwash, erosion and/or breaching. Traditionally, more frequent impacts over the region have observed in Praia de Faro.
Fees and Financial Support
The course tuition will be provided free of charge. Lunch will also be provided each day during the course. The organisers will also cover the costs of accommodation for all course participants. Accommodation will be booked by the course organisers. Any student who does not wish to avail of the provided accommodation and/or meals will need to make alternative arrangements at their own expense and convenience.
Students will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements and for the costs involved in travelling to Faro. Any additional subsistence costs will also be borne by the students themselves.
Enrollment
Enrollment for the second "summer school" is open from 11 July until 14 October 2016. To apply for the course, the interested participant should send a Letter of Motivation together with an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae to [email protected]
Applications will be evaluated by the convenors and the most suitable candidates will be offered a place on the course. Places are limited and preference will be given to candidates based in Europe. For any questions regarding the summer schools, the interested participant should send an email at the address above, clearly stating Summer School II or Summer School Faro in the subject line.