Kamilla Hauknes Sjursen

Field of work

I am a PhD student in the Computer Science PhD programme at HVL working in the intersection of computer science and glaciology. In my PhD project I develop mathematical models to investigate past and future glacier changes in Western Norway.

I build and program mass balance models that use climatic and topographical data to simulate changes in glacier mass and runoff. The modelling focuses on Jostedalsbreen, the largest ice cap in mainland Europe, which I am lucky to have at my doorstep. The results of the modelling are a contribution to the JOSTICE project, which aims to investigate the physical and societal impacts of climate change effects on Jostedalsbreen.

A focus of my PhD project is to investigate how statistical methods (e.g. Bayesian methods and machine learning) can be used to improve predictions in glacier mass balance models. Robust models with accurate assessments of uncertainty are an important basis for evaluating the impacts of glacier melt on local tourism, hydropower production, agriculture and landscape planning.

I have a background in energy and environmental engineering and have a great interest in science and technology, especially related to energy! In addition to working on my PhD project I teach physics and technology in the teachers education and hydrological modelling in the Master's programme in Climate Change Management and in the international semester programme Geohazards and Climate Change.