"Arctic Snapshots connects researchers from different northern research stations so they can network, share ideas, and learn about each other’s research.” (E. McKnight, U. Alberta)
This summer, APECS launched a new initiative: Arctic Snapshots. Arctic Snapshots is a series of online webinars between researchers in Arctic earth, biological, and social sciences at different field stations. The main objectives of Arctic Snapshots are: (i) for scientists to share the excitement of their research; (ii) to promote networking between researchers; (iii) for participants - particularly young scientists - to gain experience presenting their research.
In its first year, Arctic Snapshots engaged more than 30 participants from seven field stations across four countries. Participants had a diversity of scientific experience, ranging from graduate students to field assistants to professors. Despite various backgrounds and research foci, a common thread was participants’ enthusiasm for their research and for sharing it. This enthusiasm sparked questions, sharing of knowledge and ideas, and informal invitations to continue conversations and perhaps even visit other stations. This year, participating stations included (Fig. 1):
1. Abisko Scientific Research Station (Abisko, Sweden)
2. Arctic Station (Disko Island, Greenland/Denmark)
3. Churchill Northern Studies Centre (Churchill, Canada)
4. Khibiny Educational and Scientific Station (Murmansk Region, Russia)
5. Kluane Lake Research Station (Yukon Territory, Canada)
6. McGill Arctic Research Station (Axel Hieberg Island, Canada)
7. Western Arctic Research Centre (Inuvik, Canada)
A list of all the presentations is available here. The recordings will be made available in the APECS Webinar Database.
What’s next for Arctic Snapshots? Plans are underway for Arctic Snapshots 2016. The format will remain the same: participants deliver a 5-minute presentation, aimed at facilitating critical thought and communication about the relevance of the their research. Presentations can include research methods, findings, or an introduction to the research. Arctic Snapshots 2016 will hopefully include more field stations across the Arctic, so stay tuned. If you are interested in participating, or would like your field station to be involved, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Ellorie McKnight, Yulia Zaika, Erika Hille, Dr. Chris Omelon, Dr. Kirsten Christofferson, Keith Larson, and Sian Williams. Arctic Snapshots would not have been possible without their generosity in helping with logistics.
