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Just over a year ago, I started as an assistant professor at the ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. A few thoughts: I owe a formal apology to every professor I ever judged for walking into a meeting and needing a moment to remember what it was about. I understand now. Teaching was both fun and humbling. It reminded me how exciting this material felt when I first learned it (I still find it very awesome!), and how hard it can be to explain “basic” concepts once you have spent years becoming highly specialized. 

Getting to know new colleagues across campus and slowly learning how the university actually works has been enlightening. But the greatest joy of the year has been working with students: troubleshooting projects, going into the field together, and watching them grow into more confident and independent scientists. There is still a lot to build, but the Mountain Ice & Water Lab now has a team, field sites, research questions, and a much clearer direction. I’m excited for year two.

Nick successfully defended his PhD thesis, earning a pass with minor revisions! His thesis, Surface-Based Temperature Inversions and Permafrost Dynamics in the Mountains of Northcentral Yukon: Linking Observations and Downscaled Climate Models, represents years of dedicated fieldwork, careful analysis, perseverance, and an enormous commitment to advancing our understanding of mountain climatology and permafrost dynamics in the Yukon. 

We could not be prouder of Nick and everything he has accomplished throughout his PhD journey. This is an exceptionally well-earned achievement and a tremendous milestone for both Nick and the Bonnaventure Lab for Permafrost Science. Congratulations, Dr. Noad, on a very well-earned and successfully defended PhD thesis!

Great day at We were there representing from , introducing students to the world of drone operations and geospatial tech. EPIC Day (read more here: ) brings together high school students from across Southern Alberta to explore hands-on career pathways — such a great energy to be part of. Big shoutout to for leading all the talks and keeping everyone engaged, and to for organizing such a well-run event.

The ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's 2026 Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump UNESCO World Heritage Site Archaeological Field School has wrapped up another successful season.

Over several weeks, from May 14 to July 5, students gained hands-on experience in archaeological excavation, survey, and laboratory analysis while working at one of Canada's most significant archaeological landscapes. The intensive 9-credit field school (ARKY 3000, ARKY 3300, and ARKY 3400) provides invaluable practical training for archaeology majors and welcomes students from a wide range of disciplines interested in experiential learning.

This year's field school gave students the opportunity to work alongside faculty, develop essential archaeological skills, and contribute to ongoing research exploring Alberta's rich Indigenous history and buffalo hunting traditions.

Dr. Shawn Bubel will be giving a free talk on Saturday, August 8th, from 2- 3 pm at the Coronation School Gym. This year, her talk will be about "Exploring Buffalo Hunting in Alberta through Archaeological Work at Fincastle and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump." We hope to see you there.

Abstract: Indigenous people hunted Buffalo (Bison bison) in Alberta for thousands of years. They used different techniques depending on the local landscape, environmental conditions, time of year, and makeup of the herd. New weapons and projectile point styles were adopted over the centuries yet many of the ingenious strategies people used to hunt the buffalo persisted. Archaeological work at Fincastle and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump explores two very different hunting methods and the dramatic events that took place at these locations.

Join Shawn Bubel, a professor of archaeology at the ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, as she talks about her research at these two archaeological sites. She will also have real artifacts and buffalo bones that you can see and touch!

Dr. Bronwyn Bragg, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography & Environment, was recently interviewed on Kabayan Radio to discuss the immigration-related questions proposed for Alberta's upcoming referendum. Drawing on her expertise in political geography and migration, Dr. Bragg shared research-informed perspectives on immigration and the broader public policy issues surrounding the referendum.