Webinars and Virtual Events
2020-10-21
Online: 8:00-9:00 am AKDT, 12:00-1:00 pm EDT

Alaska produces more than half the fish caught in U.S. waters. A warming Arctic, reduced sea ice, changing fisheries biomass, and increasing activity in the Arctic has implications for current and existing fisheries in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas.

This session will outline federal and state fisheries policies and management approaches as well as at sea and community based fisheries perspectives.

Speakers:

  • Steve MacLean, Arctic Fishery Management Plan Coordinator - North Pacific Fishery Management Council
  • TBA, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Stephanie Madsen, Executive Director - At-Sea Processors Association
  • Simon Kinneen, Vice President / Ouota & Acquisions Manager - Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation

The program is free of charge but please register to receive login details.

Webinars and Virtual Events
Speaker: Dr. Kimberley R. Miner, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and University of Maine
2020-10-22
Online: 10:00-11:30 pm AKDT, 2:00-3:30 pm EDT

Learn how the cascading impacts of Arctic permafrost melt threaten humans, settlements, species, and our shared planet.

The northern hemisphere is covered by nine million square miles of permafrost, ground that continuously remains frozen for two or more years, located on land or under the ocean. In this Migration in Harmony webinar, you will learn from preeminent scientist Dr. Kimberley R. Miner about the cascading impacts of permafrost melt in the Arctic and beyond the circumpolar north. Permafrost is one of the largest greenhouse gas stores on the planet. As climate change warms the Arctic at nearly three times the rate of the global average, permafrost is beginning to thaw, causing a cascade of risks to people, places, and our shared planet. When the organic material begins to decompose, permafrost thaw can destabilize major infrastructure, discharge mercury levels dangerous to human health, and release billions of metric tons of carbon.

Dr. Kimberley R. Miner is a Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California, and Climate Change Institute Research Assistant Professor at the University of Maine. At JPL, Kimberley works on the Arctic Methane Project, looking at the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. Kimberley researches climate change with multi-national teams in Canada, Switzerland, Italy and Alaska. During her Ph.D., she developed the first health assessment of glacial meltwater pollution. For this groundbreaking work, she was awarded fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation, the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and the Switzer Foundation.

Migration In Harmony is an international, cross-disciplinary network of Arctic migration researchers funded by the National Science Foundation. Learn more and sign up here.

Deadlines
2020-10-22

The BEST Secretariat is pleased to announce the launch of the new call for proposals for the EU and UK Overseas Countries and Territories.

This grant scheme is designed to provide effective support for actions on the ground carried out by local stakeholders. The maximum amount and duration of a project are respectively €60,000 and 19 months. It has been adapted to cope with the consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak and extended to circular economy solutions preserving ecosystems and reducing pressure on biodiversity.

The Guidelines and related application forms – which encompass all the information needed – are available on the BEST 2.0+ website. Potential applicants are invited to carefully read all the documents before submitting their application on the portal.

The deadline to apply is 22 October 2020.

Interested Polar and Sub-polar stakeholders are also invited to attend an upcoming information session to find out more and ask questions.

Date: Wednesday, 16 September @ 4:00 PM (CEST)
Please download GoTo Meeting software first:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/448034661
Link to meeting: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/426152909

Webinars and Virtual Events
2020-10-23
Online: 5:00-6:30 am AKDT, 9:00-10:30 pm EDT, 3:00-4:30 pm CEST

We are heading towards another winter and already started getting the view of northern lights in Svalbard. It makes perfect timing for our next webinar on studying polar atmosphere using Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) cusp rocket missions in Svalbard on 23rd October 2020, Friday, during 15:00 - 16:30 (CEST). This webinar covers the following four talks:

  1. Jøran Moen (UNIS): GCI-Cusp history and its relevance to Svalbard studies.
  2. Andres Spicher (University of Oslo): GCI-Cusp: an observing system for the dynamics of the upper polar atmosphere above Svalbard.
  3. Douglas Rowland (NASA): The VISIONS-2 rocket mission: exploring atmospheric escape in the Earth's cusp.
  4. Kolbjørn Blix (Andøya Space Centre): Grand Challenge Initiative - M/LT project

Please follow the link above for more information. Register for the webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Webinars and Virtual Events
2020-10-23
Online: 10:00-11:00 am AKDT, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT

Join the National Science Foundation and IARPC for a program manager chat about a solicitation for proposals for Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants.

NSF invites investigators at U.S. organizations to submit proposals for Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) to the Arctic Sciences Section, Office of Polar Programs (OPP) to conduct dissertation-level research about and related to the Arctic region. The Programs that are currently accepting DDRIG proposals are the Arctic Social Sciences (ASSP), Arctic System Science (ARCSS), and Arctic Observing Network (AON) Programs.

The goal of this solicitation is to attract research proposals that advance a fundamental, process, and systems-level understanding of the Arctic's rapidly changing natural environment and social and cultural systems, and, where appropriate, to improve our capacity to project future change. The Arctic Sciences Section supports research focused on the Arctic region and its connectivity with lower latitudes. The scientific scope is aligned with, but not limited to, research challenges outlined in the IARPC Arctic Research Plan. Given that this solicitation is designed to support early career scientists, this program will also advance research capacity in Arctic sciences, promote workforce development, and enhance diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

During this webinar, NSF program officers will give an overview of this funding opportunity and will be available to answer questions. All are welcome to attend.

Webinars and Virtual Events
2020-10-26 - 2020-10-30
Online

The European Commission (Directorate General for Research and Innovation) and the European Space Agency are working together to improve cooperation and to identify the grand science challenges in Polar research that may drive joint EC-ESA scientific activities in the coming years. The European Polar Science Week is one of the first results of this increased cooperation between the two organisations.

The event will take place online and will comprise different type of sessions promoting different levels of interaction with the community:

  • Plenary sessions with invited keynote speakers, including a final round table discussion focused around key topics of societal general interest;
  • Virtual Poster and virtual exhibition area. Using an IT tool allowing e-posters and other electronic material submitted by the community to be explored, presented and discussed, with open interaction among participants and the authors.
  • A set of parallel discussion sessions or side events proposed by the science community focusing on different topics and including presentations from keynote speakers.

The event is open to Polar researchers and students, modellers, Earth system and climate scientists, industry, policy makers, representatives of local communities and other stakeholders interested in sharing their knowledge and experience and contributing to drive the European polar scientific agenda.

The event will be virtual with all presentations and discussions done remotely.

Registered participants will have full access to all session contents, interactions and networking. As a registered participant, you will be able to:

  • Attend all the sessions
  • Participate in the Q&A and polls
  • Participate in the discussion sessions
  • View the e-Posters and discuss live with the authors
  • Network with the speakers and with other registered participants using an AI-powered networking tool.

The deadline for registration is 20 October 2020.

No participation fees will be charged.

Webinars and Virtual Events
New Perspectives on the World's Most Challenging Arena for Maritime Commerce
2020-10-27 - 2020-10-30
Online

COVID-19 Update:

Our annual Arctic Shipping Forum Helsinki and Arctic Shipping North America conferences have moved online. We look forward to bringing together the who's who of the Arctic shipping industry in this new virtual format to learn, connect and move forward together.


Developing technological capabilities. Improving emergency response. Securing a sustainable future for shipping in the Arctic.

Follow the link above for more information.

Webinars and Virtual Events
Speaking: Dr. Claudine Hauri, University of Alaska Fairbanks
2020-10-27
Online: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm AKDT, 3:00-4:00 pm EDT

Ocean acidification and climate change are quickly altering the Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystem. Dr. Hauri will present her latest modeling results on how ocean acidification has changed the marine habitats of some of Alaska’s most important species. She will also demonstrate how her publicly available model output can be easily used to study the seascape of the Gulf of Alaska.

Please follow the link above to register.

Feel free to explore the Gulf of Alaska Ocean Acidification tool ahead of time.

Webinars and Virtual Events
2020-10-27
Online: 10:30-11:05 am AKDT, 2:30-3:05 pm EDT

Join us for a panel to illuminate polar research and achievements by those who identify as women. The panel will foster discussion on the systemic changes in polar sciences to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, weave connections and collaborations between many roles in a social change ecosystem to develop tools and methods to reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of women polar knowledge holders, researchers, and scientists, and create a space that values and incorporates Indigenous women’s oral histories and traditional knowledge as a fundamental component of scientific research. This discussion will continue in 2021 with a series of free monthly webinars showcasing past, present, and future trailblazing women in the Arctic and Antarctic online from The Arctic Institute.

Other
2020-10-28 - 2020-10-29

Update: The 7th Annual Arctic Exchange will now take place in 15-17 November, 2022.


The exchange will look at securing a sustainable future for maritime commerce in the Arctic, understanding the importance of Arctic routes, the challenges and solutions for oil and gas exploration, production and transportation, whilst developing international relations and collaboration with government officials, executives, managers, scientists, engineers, and investors.

Other
2020-10-28 - 2020-10-30
Copenhagen, Denmark

UPDATE:

A Virtual IGS Nordic Branch Meeting 2020 will be held 11–13 November 2020.

The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Copenhagen in October. For obvious reasons that is no longer possible so we have moved the meeting to Cyberspace via Zoom.


More information will follow on registration, abstract submission and schedule.

Please keep an eye on the IGS website (link above).

The meeting is hosted by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, and will include a conference dinner. We look forward to welcoming you in Copenhagen.

Local organising committee: Nanna B. Karlsson (GEUS), Andreas Ahlstrøm (GEUS), Louise S. Sørensen (DTU), Christine S. Hvidberg (U CPH) and Ruth Mottram (DMI)

Webinars and Virtual Events
EO for Polar Science Workshop
2020-10-28 - 2020-10-30
Online

The event will be held online on 28-30 October 2020. Additional information on the virtual event will be provided in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!


This workshop aims at assessing the latest advancement in the use of EO technology for Polar science, exploring the main challenges and opportunities for the coming decade and consulting with the community to contribute to define a common scientific agenda for the future.

The meeting is open to EO scientists, polar researchers and students, modellers, Earth system and climate scientists, industry, operational agencies, policy makers, representatives of local communities and other stakeholders interested in sharing their knowledge and experience and contributing to drive the European polar scientific agenda. Any Additional Information or Notes: Polar regions have experienced the most rapid rates of warming in recent years and its expected impacts will exceed those forecasted for many other regions in the planet resulting in local, regional and globally significant consequences affecting natural ecosystems and human activities.

Improving our observation capacity and enhancing the basic understanding of the different drivers and processes governing those changes and translate that knowledge into actionable solutions for society is a major challenge for the future.

Earth observation from space and Earth system science will represent an essential element in this process. However, addressing the major challenge in Polar research will require a significant collaborative effort and an integrated approach to science where the synergistic use of EO satellite data, in-situ and citizen observations, advanced modelling capabilities, interdisciplinary research and new technologies will be essential elements.

Abstract submission closure: 1 June 2020

Webinars and Virtual Events
2020-10-28
Online: 7:30-9:00 am AKDT, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm EDT

The second Arctic Resilience Forum will be held online as a series of ten weekly webinars launching on October 7, 2020. Each session touches on a specific aspect of Arctic resilience, ranging from food security and Indigenous youth leadership, to gender, energy and connectivity. The forum seeks to actively engage participants in conversations about how to build resilience of Arctic communities and ecosystems. It offers the opportunity to discuss concrete best practices and experiences from the Council and the broader community of circumpolar experts and knowledge holders. The Arctic Resilience Forum aims to continue to strengthen cooperation on resilience work.

The Arctic Resilience Forum will be convened every Wednesday from 11:30am – 1:00pm (EST) over a series of ten weeks, beginning October 7, 2020. The online series seeks to engage a broad audience in conversations about how to build the resilience of Arctic communities and ecosystems across a variety of focus areas, including:

  • October 7: Indigenous Youth Leadership
  • October 14: Food Security
  • October 21: Renewable Energy
  • October 28: Human Health and Pandemics
  • November 11: Broadband Connectivity
  • November 18: Gender
  • November 25: Socio-Ecological Resilience
  • December 9: Infrastructure
  • December 16: Respecting Traditional Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Follow the link above to learn more, register, and to get updates for the whole Arctic Resilience Forum series. Individual session pages will open up with registration for specific events approximately one week in advance. Russian language translation will be available for all session.

Webinars and Virtual Events
Speaking: Kaare Ray Sikuaq Erickson, UIC Science/Battelle ARO, Utqiaġvik, Alaska
2020-10-28
Online: 11:45 am - 1:00 pm AKDT, 3:45-5:00 pm EDT

This event is a two-part series. The first event will cover "History of Indigenous Communities in the Arctic" (Oct. 21st), the second event topic is "Cogeneration of Knowledge and Examples in the Arctic" (Oct. 28th).

Kaare Ray Sikuaq Erickson is the Outreach and Engagement Manager for UIC Science/Battelle ARO (Arctic Research Operations) in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Kaare was raised along the Bering Sea coast in Savoonga, St. Michaels, and Unalakleet. Kaare’s parents and community taught him to provide for his community through subsistence and leadership. His upbringing taught him to be aware of problems facing Arctic communities and to find creative, realistic, and effective ways to alleviate or solve these issues. Kaare spent over a decade immersed in Arctic anthropological projects (cultural, historical, and archaeological) working for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, the Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution Arctic Studies Center, UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research and other entities. Kaare’s unique upbringing, his expertise in cross-cultural communication, and his deep knowledge of Arctic history allows him to fulfill his role as liaison to both Arctic communities and Arctic research entities.

Kaare has taken a leading role as cultural broker between Arctic communities and stakeholders in U.S. Arctic research. This role requires a clear understanding of the U.S. scientific agenda by representing the Iñupiat at research gatherings (conferences, symposiums, presentations, etc.) and engaging in meaningful communication with scientists, institutions, and funding agencies. Kaare is also responsible for relaying news, information, findings and intentions regarding the U.S. scientific agenda back to Arctic communities; as well as to gather, translate, and share feedback from these communities back to scientists to foster reciprocal communication.

Follow the link above to register.

Webinars and Virtual Events
2020 ARCUS Annual Meeting
2020-10-29
Online: 9:00-11:00 am AKDT, 1:00-3:00 pm EDT

The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) Annual Meeting is an important opportunity for the Council of ARCUS Institutional Member Representatives, ARCUS Individual Members, and other members of the broader Arctic research community to connect with one another, the ARCUS Board of Directors, and staff.

The meeting will be open to all interested participants and there is no cost to attend.

Please register below to receive ARCUS Annual Meeting updates, agenda details as they develop, and login instructions for joining the online event.

Deadlines
2020-10-30

A Virtual IGS Nordic Branch Meeting 2020 will be held 11–13 November 2020.

The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Copenhagen in October. For obvious reasons that is no longer possible so we have moved the meeting to Cyberspace via Zoom.

The timing of the meeting will be 11am-4pm (CET).

Abstract submission is now open by following this link. Please submit your abstracts via this link.

We have extended the abstract submission until 23:59, 30th October, 2020 GMT.

The meeting twitter hashtag is #IGSNB2020

Local organising committee: Nanna B. Karlsson (GEUS), Andreas Ahlstrøm (GEUS), Louise S. Sørensen (DTU), Christine S. Hvidberg (U CPH) and Ruth Mottram (DMI)

Deadlines
2020-10-31

Note: The 3rd International Conference on Polar Climate and Environmental Change in the Last Millennium was originally scheduled for 24-26 September 2020 was moved to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


The 3rd International Conference on Polar Climate and Environmental Change in the Last Millennium will take place 23-25 November 2020 in Toruń, Poland.

The aim of the conference is to present scientific achievements and to identify gaps in the field of the historical climatology of the polar regions based on early meteorological observations, history, dendroclimatology, paleolimnology, geophysics, geomorphology, and other sources.

The conference is supported by the Polish Geophysical Society, the Committee on Polar Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Polish Polar Consortium.

Important dates:

15 October 2020: Registration close
31 October 2020: Abstract submission deadline

Deadlines
2020-11-01
Online

The Arctic Research Consortium of the US (ARCUS) announces the Early Career Conference Funding Award to support up to twenty, US-based, early career researchers and students to participate in meetings and events relevant to Arctic research. In lieu of full travel grants during 2020/21, these funding awards will cover registration fees, session/abstract submission costs, and other relevant expenses related to virtual conference attendance (recognizing that many events have moved online or may be forced to do so) for one conference or event scheduled to take place through 31 May 2021. This award aims to increase participation of early career, underrepresented minorities (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; BIPOC) in Arctic research by providing at least half of the awards to BIPOC students and early career researchers. This award is for conference attendance and participation—submitting an abstract will be optional.

The deadline for submitting an award application is 5:00pm Alaska time, 1 November 2020. Award notifications are anticipated to be announced during the week of 16 November 2020.

Funding for these awards is made possible through the National Science Foundation's Arctic Sciences Section (PLR #1928794).

For more information including the qualifications and requirements, please follow the link above.

Webinars and Virtual Events
Speaking: Melissa Diaz, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ben Davison, University of St. Andrews, Rebecca Schlegel, Swansea University
2020-11-04
Online: 12:00 pm AKST, 4:00 pm EST

International Glaciological Society Global Seminar:

Speaking: Three shorter talks: Melissa Diaz, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, "Change at 85 Degrees South: Shackleton Glacier Region Proglacial Lakes from 1960 to 2020"; Ben Davison, University of St. Andrews, "Iceberg melting substantially modifies oceanic heat flux towards a major Greenlandic tidewater glacier"; Rebecca Schlegel, Swansea University, "Rapid subglacial erosion and bed properties under the Rutford Ice Stream".

Please register in advance for the seminars. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the seminar.

The seminar will also be available afterwards on the Friends of the International Glaciological Society Facebook page so that you can watch it there if technology fails or you can't make it.

Webinars and Virtual Events
2020-11-05 - 2020-11-07
Online

Sitka WhaleFest is a festival to celebrate marine life through science education, community and storytelling! Sitka WhaleFest raises awareness, educates, and creates enthusiasm for the marine environment. Our goal is to bring a deeper understanding of the marine environment to a diverse and inclusive audience in a way that all participants feel welcome and engaged.

Through a community-based festival we celebrate the marine world and our connection to it. We seek to convey that science is not just for scientists; it is a part of our everyday lives. The core of the festival is a unique science symposium for all that blends local knowledge and scientific inquiry of the rich marine environment of our oceans. Join Sitka WhaleFest virtually and celebrate with this unique tradition with our community!

The 2020 WhaleFest is donation only. If you are able to support our mission financially, we greatly appreciate any contribution.

Important Dates:

  • Oct. 1 – Marketplace Vendor Registration CLOSES!! Click here to register
  • Nov. 1 – Sitka WhaleFest Online Marketplace opens.
  • Nov. 5-7 – Ocean Connections Presentations, 11:00am – 1:00pm each day
  • Nov. 6 – Maritime Grine, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
  • Nov. 7 – Don Sineti’s Sea Shanty, close of Ocean Connection

This year’s festival will include some fabulous speakers and events. The theme for our science symposium presentations is Ocean Connections: Culture and Communication. “Ocean Connections” will explore the many forms of culture and communication that are tied to the marine environment. Through the lens of Indigenous knowledge and scientific discovery, we will examine the web of interconnections that makes up the world’s oceans. We have an exciting group of speakers that will be presenting on sperm whales, dolphins, Northwest Alaska subsistence practices, killer whales and leatherback sea turtles.