Climate change over both geological and human timescales has an immense impact on Earth environments. Changes in mountain glaciers provide both a particularly sensitive indicator of local-to-regional patterns of climate change and are crucial for water resources and natural hazards in mountainous regions and adjacent lowlands. An international research project, led by Professor Stroeven at Stockholm University, is focused on reconstructing changes in mountain glaciers across Central Asia. As a MCIIF, Professor Jon Harbor, a recognized senior leader in interdisciplinary research and education in glacial studies, will play a central role in this international research project. Professor Harbor will co-lead the fieldwork, be a primary collaborator in analyzing results and writing journal publications with faculty and students in member states and ICPCs, and will co-lead and evaluate collaborative online international educational modules involving students in the member states and the US. His work will enhance and reinforce research excellence in both the lead member state (Sweden), and five other member states and ICPCs (Germany, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Russia, and China). Professor Harbor’s unique areas of expertise for the MCIIF include terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide methods for glacial research, and development and evaluation of novel online collaborative learning. Outcomes of the MCIIF will include a significant broadening of the competences of the host and collaborating organisations, in particular in interdisciplinary expertise and in building long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation between Europe, the USA and Asian ICPCs.