Peter Johnson is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Ottawa specializing in mountain regions. His research has focused on the geomorphology and hydrology of the St.Elias Mountains in the southwest Yukon since 1970. In 1973 he started a field course in the region and this has run annually either in remote sites or at the Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS) of the Arctic Institute. Over 250 students have been introduced to northern fieldwork through the course. During the last five years a glaciology course has been added to the program at the Icefield Discovery Camp on the St.Elias Icefield. His research and teaching have used the KLRS facility since 1970. He has also filled a number of roles in national and international circumpolar science including Chair of the Canadian Polar Commission, President of the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies, Vice-President of the International Arctic Science Committee and a Council Member of the University of the Arctic.