Understanding the causes and consequences of current Arctic change is an urgent and immense task for humankind. The AGORA initiative represents a common ground to bring together Arctic scientists, indigenous researchers, and community stakeholders together as a collective to discuss the core problems faced by the Arctic in the 21st Century. This workshop will focus on how these issues may be better understood by providing a firm historical context that extends beyond our currently limited instrumental monitoring.

We aim to assess the impacts of main factors associated with global change (e.g., climate, ice thaw, environmental pollution and wildlife abundance and diversity) on the Arctic and its human inhabitants using Panarctic lake sediment core records and indigenous knowledge extending back ~1000 years. Looking at the past provides the opportunity to document the complex relationships between climate, ecosystems and human societies, which will provide a deeper understanding of how they will respond to future changes.

To help lead this effort, we are pleased to offer ECR travel grants to participate in the Agora initiative workshop during the upcoming Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) conference in Tromsø, Norway (March 16th-April 1st 2022). Each ECR will receive funding of up to €1200 to attend the full ASSW, participate in a working group meeting of their choice (Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Social & Human, Terrestrial), and help lead activities in the AGORA workshop during a full day meeting.
Each member will also help take notes during the session and participate in the synthesis of an IASC report documenting integrative Arctic research priorities and approaches for developing coupled paleo, contemporary and indigenous methodological approaches for addressing these issues.


Who is eligible
Awards will be made for 4 ECR researchers (<5 years post PhD) that work in any discipline relevant to one of the four IASC working groups supporting this initiative (Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Social & Human, Terrestrial). One ECR will be selected for each group, and one participant from Russia will be selected to also participate in ISIRA meetings. Underrepresented and indigenous peoples are especially encouraged to apply.

Selection criteria
Applicants should submit a short CV (maximum 4 pages) and cover letter (1-2 pages max) detailing their contributions to Arctic science in their field of choice, and their experience, if any, in cross-disciplinary research and/or working with indigenous knowledge holders and research methodologies. Prior experience in paleoenvironmental methods is not required, as we are especially interested in coupling paleo work with contemporary and predictive modeling efforts, but application materials should highlight how your expertise could help to support the historical and Panarctic nature of AGORA.
Awards will be based off these materials and additional criteria designed to maximize:

1. Geographical and intellectual diversity of the initiative
2. Gender and cultural diversity
3. Indigenous people’s participation

Terms of the Travel Award
Upon acceptance of the award, recipients should acknowledge that they are able to travel to participate in the full ASSW (March 16th-April 1st 2022) and will help in the planning and hosting of the AGORA workshop. These activities may include online meetings, note taking, and leading breakout groups and will culminate with helping AGORA members synthesize an IASC report on AGORA activities. Participants will also be responsible for keeping their expense receipts and submitting their reimbursal paperwork to the IASC secretariate who will handle their claims.

Please Email Application Materials or Any Other Questions About the Workshop to:


Sergi Pla-Rabés: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Clay Prater: prater.clay(at)gmail.com

Please submit applications no later than January the 10th 2022.