APECS was invited to attend the European Polar Board’s (EPB) spring meeting in Stockholm, Sweden April 11-12, 2016. The EPB is an independent organization that coordinates European Arctic and Antarctic strategic science policy. It’s focus areas are launching joint research programs, coordination of Polar research infrastructures, and advising on relevant policy issues.
Much of the first day's discussions were on the internal activities and management of the EPB. On the second day, discussions focused on EPB partnerships to leverage its activities. Discussions centered on strengthening current EPB partnerships. Heather Mariash represented APECS, highlighting the Call for Bids, the Strategic Plan, the online conference, and specific ways the EPB and APECS can work together on creating opportunities for early career researchers. Since the EPB works on integrating research into science policy at both poles, it will be an important partner organization for APECS. Both organizations see a benefit of working together, and we hope to have an official MoU signed soon. APECS will continue to collaborate with the EPB through joint activates and communications.
Other EPB partner organizations present were: Anton Van de Putte representing data management from the Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM), the European Climate Research Alliance (ENCRA) presented by Tina Swierczynski, and Ulf Jonsell presented activities from Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON).
