Polar and Alpine Community News

The Polar Archaeology Network was established in 2007 in response to a perceived need by the polar archaeological research community for better engagement with broader initiatives in polar science, a desire for stronger international collaborations in discipline-based and interdisciplinary science initiatives, a desire to grow polar archaeological research capacity through scholarly development and early-career involvement, the wish to develop more advanced field and analytical methods particular to polar archaeology, and to ensure continued access to potential datasets that may be environmentally and/or politically sensitive in the context of changing global systems. By joining the PAN mailing list, you are subscribing to the Polar Archaeology Network. You will be informed about internal and external developments and initiatives, and you will receive our regular newsletter.

On March 30 2020, IASC and IASSA Working Group Gender in the Arctic hosted a cross-disciplinary workshop on “Gender in Polar Research”, as part of the 2020 Arctic Science Summit Week online. Over 85 participants from around the world joined this online event to discuss and reflect on the gendered nature of polar research. It is a great pleasure to share this poster resulting from this Gender in Polar Research Workshop, including a call for action. The poster and further information are displayed / available for download as jpg or pdf here.

Amundsen Science, the organization responsible for the management of the scientific mandate of the research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen, announces the publication of a new website. The improved platform is meant to be used both by expedition participants and a larger audience wanting to learn more about the mandate and expeditions.

We are pleased to draw your attention towards our upcoming Special Issue: ‘Debris-covered glaciers: formation, governing processes, present status and future directions’ in the Frontiers of Earth Sciences journal. The abstract submission (deadline September 23, 2020) is now open. If you intend to submit an abstract it would help the editorial team significantly if you could post an abstract outline or draft in advance of the final deadline as this helps us gauge the interest.

In episode 5 of The IcePod, the podcast about polar science and the people, atmospheric scientist and project manager of MOSAiC Anja Sommerfeld explains why she set her alarm clock to exactly 7.13 am every morning during Leg 2, what it took to prepare 77 early-morning weather balloons for their ascent, and why working with Lady Miss Piggy can be a tough job. 

The 2020 July Sea Ice Outlook (SIO) Report is now available online. The SIO, a product of the Sea Ice Prediction Network–Phase 2 (SIPN2), provides an open process for those interested in Arctic sea ice to share predictions and ideas. The monthly reports contain a variety of perspectives—from advanced numerical models to qualitative perspectives from citizen scientists. The Outlook is not an operational forecast.

The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee is currently working to develop the next five-year Arctic Research Plan. The goal of the plan is to improve the collective impacts of federal agencies in Arctic research. Before we begin drafting the plan, we are looking for broad input on its structure, goals, and objectives. Comment by August 2, 2020. You can find details on how to comment, as well as more information here.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to raise significant concern across the world, it has become evident that the pandemic and measures taken to prevent its spread would be poised to have significant effects on public health and societies. The Arctic region, especially rural and remote communities, faces unique risks and challenges as a result of both the pandemic and the actions taken to respond to it. The preparation of this briefing document relied on existing Arctic Council networks and was open and collaborative. It involved contributions and input from more than fifty researchers affiliated to the Council’s Working Groups, policy makers, Indigenous representatives and Indigenous knowledge holders from all Arctic States and Permanent Participants. Download and read the briefing document here.