Women Plus Water Conversation: Women + Cryospheric Decade
Water Events
Women Plus Water Conversations 2026
Event Details
When:
Time: 12:30–1:30 pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Women Plus Water Conversations
Women + Cryospheric Decade
In recognition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Feb 11). The conversation will discuss how investing in inclusive, youth-focused leadership development can shape the next generation of leaders working to protect and steward the cryosphere.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
12:30-1:30 pm CST
Online (Zoom)
Live French interpretation will be available during the event.
Host
- Jocelyn Hirose
Conservation Ecologist
Co-Founder, Girls* on Ice Canada
Guests
- Alison Criscitiello
Glaciologist
Co-Founder, Girls* on Ice Canada - Kara Kornhauser
Ecologist
Program Coordinator, Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska - Erin Pettit
Founder, Girls* on Ice
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Jocelyn Hirose
Jocelyn Hirose is an ecologist dedicated to restoring and preserving protected areas, with a background in environmental science and glaciology. Driven by a commitment to rigorous science, stewardship, ecological integrity, and mentorship, her work—alongside many amazing colleagues—focuses on long-term monitoring, applied restoration, and strengthening biodiversity resilience in a changing climate. She is the co-founder and board chair of Girls on Ice Canada* (G*OIC), a branch of Inspiring Girls* Expeditions. In partnership with the Alpine Club of Canada, G*OIC delivers tuition-free expeditions that blend applied science, art, and outdoor exploration—empowering teenage youth through immersive experiences in Canadian glaciated and mountainous landscapes that inspire curiosity, confidence, and leadership.
Alison Criscitiello
Dr. Alison Criscitiello is an ice core scientist and high-altitude mountaineer. She is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Canadian Ice Core Lab at University of Alberta, and co-founder of Girls on Ice Canada. Criscitiello explores the history of climate and sea ice in polar and high-alpine regions using ice core chemistry. Criscitiello's work also focuses on environmental contaminant histories in ice cores from the Canadian high Arctic and the water towers of the Canadian Rockies.
Kara Kornhauser
Kara has a deep love for science, art and the outdoors and has focused on gaining experience in outdoor education and science education while pursuing art in her free time. Kara is currently the Experiential Education Program Coordinator for Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska and the Fostering Science summer camp program. She received her master's degree in Biology and a certificate in Scientific Teaching and outreach from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Teaching people about science and the outdoors gives her hope for the future and inspires her to keep pursuing knowledge. She has led outdoor trips, outdoor field semesters, and has an interest and skills in wilderness/emergency medicine. She spends her time as a ski patroller in Fairbanks, Alaska, a camp counselor and advocate for foster youth, and doing crafts like weaving and wood carving.
Erin Pettit
Erin Pettit is an observational glaciologist and geophysicist at Oregon State University specializing in flow and fracture of glaciers and ice sheets in our changing climate. Recently, she has been co-leading multidisciplinary teams to study the physics of glacier ice melting in the ocean, especially how ice melt processes can lead to vulnerabilities in glaciers that lead to rapid retreat. One team is investigating the fragmentation and breakup of the floating terminus of Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica. Another is using remotely operated vehicles to make ice melt measurements underneath the towering ice cliffs of tidewater glaciers in Alaska and Greenland.
Pettit values educating through inquiry and sharing the process of scientific discovery to inspire others. She founded Inspiring Girls* Expeditions, which uses wilderness exploration to stimulates curiosity, courage, and leadership in teens through exploration, science, and art. She collaborates with artists to allow the public to connect with glaciers through multiple perspectives. She has been honored by National Geographic as an Emerging Explorer and by Wings WorldQuest as a Fellow.