Author: Jouke Gaastra
-
Abstract and Presentation: Visualising Safety Risks in Arctic Environments
The Arctic environment is characterised by extreme conditions and high levels of uncertainty, creating significant safety risks for operations in the region. Risk awareness is critical for managing these safety risks, as decision-makers must be able to assess and respond to rapidly changing circumstances. In this context, effective risk visualization plays a crucial role in…
-
Wrapping up AS-302 Arctic Safety on Svalbard
This will be my last week on Svalbard as for now. On Sunday I will be flying back to Stavanger via Oslo. It has been a great experience. It’s one of the few real wildernesses left on Earth. From a safety perspective, it has also been very interesting. With unpredictable weather, remoteness, extreme cold and…
-
What I Packed and What I Wish I Had For My Stay On Svalbard
When I was prepping for Svalbard I made a packing list. All in my packing list was pretty accurate. But some things I could have prepared better. First on the list would be a pair of binoculars. I never bring them on my hikes on mainland Norway but here on Svalbard, they are a necessity.…
-
Resources for Planning a Hike on Svalbard
Introduction The landscape on Svalbard is as stunning as it is hostile. Planning a hike here is different from planning a hike on the mainland. Knowledge is your most important tool. The Arctic is constantly changing, with unpredictable weather, unstable terrain, and the presence of polar bears. It’s therefore essential to have accurate, up-to-date information…
-
Review AS-302 Safety Management In The Arctic
I’m now halfway through my Arctic Safety course here on Svalbard, and it’s been an interesting journey so far. A lot of what we’ve been covering overlaps with things I studied during my bachelor’s in Safety and Security Management and in sociology, but looking at these concepts in the context of the Arctic environment has…
-
Safety training on Svalbard at UNIS
This week has been exciting as I participated in the mandatory safety training at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS). This training is essential for every student and researcher here, ensuring that we are well-prepared to handle the challenges of the Arctic environment. The training lasted a week and included various practical and theoretical sessions,…
-
Four things I learned about Svalbard
This week I arrived in Svalbard. What a stunning landscape, the mountains are much higher and steeper than I imagined. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a window seat when flying in, but judging from the pictures the other passengers were taking, I highly recommend paying extra for the window seat. The plane comes in low between…
-
Flashcards RIS505 Foundations of Risk Analysis and Risk Science
Below are 67 flashcards for the course Foundations of Risk Analysis and Risk Science (RIS505). Use these flashcards and an exam summary of the course for efficient and effective studying. Did you know that there is no Norwegian word for efficient? How would you say ”’The process is effective, but can be more efficient” in…
-
Heat Acclimatisation Training
Now that I live in Norway, I don’t have to worry so much about the summer heatwaves anymore. But I am planning on walking the four-day marches next year. That got me thinking, how am I going to prepare for the heat? My group commander used to say ”You’re not hindered by the heat if…
-
The biggest hiking event in the world: The Four Day Marches
Introduction The Four Day Marches, known as “Vierdaagse” in Dutch, is the largest hiking event in the world. It attracts tens of thousands of participants from all over the globe, who come together to challenge their endurance and celebrate at the parties (a.k.a ‘De vierdaagse feesten’ ) surrounding the event. My Personal Experience I have…
-
-
How to Maximise SAS EuroBonus Points
How to determine the value of a point? There are two ways to use your points. You can pay completely with points (excluding the booking fee) or partially with points. The easiest way to determine the value of a point is by using the formula: (Price of the flight – Booking fee) / Amount of…
-
PDCA, What is the difference between Do and Act?
The PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) or Deming cycle stands as a fundamental framework. However, a question often arises: Why do we need the Act phase when we could simply move from Check to Plan?
-
Bucketlist Hikes and Climbs Norway
I thought I would make a bucket list of the climbs and hikes I want to do. And then I thought, why not put it on the blog? It’ll help with holding me accountable to schedule the time to do so. I will update this blog post as I learn about more hikes and climbs.…
-
My Climbing Journey
It doesn’t get any better than this. The weather is a perfect 20 degrees with beautiful sunshine, a slight breeze, and spectacular views. I’ve just completed my first two pitches and set up a ‘standplass’ (belay station). Right then, I get a notification on my phone reminding me it’s time to be real. The timing…
-
Prepping for Svalbard
Intro Next semester, I’ll be attending a course called Safety Management in the Arctic, worth 10 credits, offered by the University Center in Svalbard (UNIS). This course runs from August 5th to September 19th, focusing on the challenges and safety protocols necessary for the Arctic environment. I’m looking forward to this course, as the Risk…
-
GDPR Compliance and its Reflection in Risk Communication: Insights from Annual Reports
The enactment of GDPR marked a significant shift in data protection laws, aiming to enhance and standardize privacy rights and protections across the European Union. This paper examines the adjustments in risk communication practices within annual reports and assesses whether these changes align with best practices in the field. Introduction Communication forms the basis of…
-
Reflecting on My First Year at UIS: Risk Analysis and Governance
I’m currently in the midst of the exams for the second semester. Meaning that the first year has almost come to a close. Time to reflect, highlighting the good, the challenging, and the unique aspects of studying Risk Analysis in Stavanger. Risk Science One of the strongest aspects of the program has been the focus…
-
Podcast Episodes About Risk
In the ”In Good Company” podcast, the CEO of Shell, Wael Sawan discusses balancing strict safety protocol and innovation with Nicolai Tangen. Naval Ravikant and Tim Firres discuss different ways of looking at risks and their related assumptions. They discuss the importance of understanding and managing risk in both personal and professional contexts, offering philosophical…
-
How to Take Control of Your Online Presence
Claiming your name on the web with a personalized website is a smart move. It allows you to control your narrative, ensures ownership of your content, and offers varying levels of independence based on your technical skills and preferences.