Joanna Young

Glaciologist, Co-Founder Girls on Ice Alaska

I became involved with Girls on Ice in 2011, when I was a coordinator for the Washington program and got to spend time on the beautiful Mount Baker. I was so inspired by the idea of learning in such a spectacular setting, by the program philosophy, and by its amazing participants that, together with two others, we launched the second Inspiring Girls Expedition program - Girls on Ice Alaska - in 2012. I have been deeply involved in Inspiring Girls Expedition and its growth as a lead instructor ever since, so I can carry out one of my biggest personal goals of providing young women with encouragement and support in learning how powerful they can be.

I bring to Inspiring Girls Expedition a mixed background in science and the humanities, which I think provides a unique lens to how I see the natural world, as well as the role of science in our global community. Currently, I am a PhD candidate in Geophysics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where I study the beautiful glaciers of Alaska to determine how quickly they are shrinking in climate change. Before beginning my PhD, I also obtained a Masters in Geophysics at UAF, and before that a BS in Astrophysics and a BA in Philosophy of Science at the University of British Columbia.

I am passionate about environmental education and science communication, and have been in documentary films like the German ‘Abenteuer Alaska’ and National Geographic IMAX’s movie ‘Extreme Weather.’ In Dec. 2016, I will visit Antarctica for the first time, as one of 78 global women scientists selected for the ‘Homeward Bound’ leadership program. When I am not exploring topics in science, education, and leadership, I can be found exploring the mountains of Alaska and the world by ski, foot, bike, and packraft.

Girls on Ice Alaska Instructor 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

Girls on Ice Cascades Instructor 2017