by Robert Banks and Lev Labzovsky

Two ITaRS fellows, Robert Banks and Lev Labzovsky, attended the 2014 ACTRIS Winter School on Advanced Analysis of Atmospheric Processes and Feedbacks and Atmosphere-Biosphere Interactions, hosted by the Division of Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Helsinki. The intensive two-week course took place from 10-21 March, 2014 at the Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station in Southern Finland. Course topics were related to ACTRIS work packages 2-6 and 20-22. Relevant topics to the fellows included remote sensing of vertical aerosol distribution, clouds and aerosol quality-controlled observations, and the synergies between lidar and sun photometer.

Lectures were given by top scientists in the field but the main emphasis of the course was placed on intensive group work on five diverse topics. Robert was a member in the lidar group and accomplished the task of an initial climatology study of aerosol properties using the quality-assured database of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). Meanwhile, Lev participated in the radar and satellite group.

Overall the ACTRIS Winter School was very useful for the fellows as they gained transferable skills such as collaborative learning, advanced statistical techniques, and an approach to multidisciplinary studies.