Past Events

The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) announces a call for nominations for our Board of Directors election. There are three seats up for election in a vote of the ARCUS Membership Council that will take place in December. Terms will be three years and begin in January 2023.

We seek nominations of candidates with enthusiasm and time (approximately 40 hours/year) to dedicate to ARCUS, who are willing and able to help ARCUS fulfill its vision and mission and achieve its strategic goals. We particularly invite nominations of individuals with experience in and connections to: educating formal and informal educators about the Arctic, and engaging them in Arctic research (Goal 3), and developing and building Arctic system science networks.

Nominees are welcome from any career level and type of organization. We strive to embody our value of “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging” in our Board.

The essential responsibilities of the Board are to:

• Develop, and advocate for, ARCUS’ values, mission, goals, and activities
• Hold fiduciary and legal responsibility for the corporation
• Promote the interests of its member institutions and the larger Arctic research community

Nominations or questions should be sent to: Helen Wiggins, ARCUS Executive Director, at helen [at] arcus.org

Nomination submission deadline: Wednesday, 30 November 2022, 12:00 p.m. AKST

The Permafrost Discovery Gateway hosts a monthly webinar series on the second Thursday of each month at 9:00 am Alaska time, raising topics of interest to the permafrost community. The webinar aims to 1) connect the international science community interested in big data remote sensing of permafrost landscapes, and 2) provide the Permafrost Discovery Gateway development team with end-user stories (by the presenter and webinar participants), such as exploring tools the community needs to create and explore big data.

Abstract

Lakes and drained lake basins (DLB) are ubiquitous landforms in permafrost lowland regions. The long-term dynamics of lake formation and drainage is evident in the abundance of DLBs covering 50% to 75% of permafrost lowlands in parts of Alaska, Siberia, and Canada. The mosaic of vegetative and geomorphic succession within DLBs and the distinct differences between DLBs and surrounding areas can be discriminated and used to derive a landscape-scale classification employing various indices derived from multispectral remote sensing imagery that, when combined with field sampling and peat initiation timing, can be used to scale across spatial and temporal domains. Previously published local and regional studies have demonstrated the importance of DLBs regarding carbon storage, greenhouse gas and nutrient fluxes, hydrology, geomorphology, and habitat availability. A coordinated pan-Arctic scale effort is needed to map and further the understanding of DLBs in circumpolar permafrost-regions. Here we present an update of ongoing work within the International Permafrost Association (IPA) Action Group on DLBs, an effort led by the scientific community that includes developing a first pan-Arctic drained lake basin data product. A prototype of this data product covering the North Slope of Alaska published in Bergstedt et al. (2021) demonstrated the methodological basis of this large-scale mapping effort. The methodology developed here is a novel and scalable remote sensing-based approach to identifying DLBs in lowland permafrost regions. Our approach uses Landsat-8 multispectral imagery and topographic information to derive a pixel-by-pixel statistical assessment of DLB occurrence in regions with different permafrost and periglacial landscape conditions, as well as to quantify aerial coverage of DLBs. Here we present first results of a DLB dataset covering pan-Arctic permafrost lowlands. Utilizing remote sensing imagery (Landsat-8) and freely available DEM data sets (e.g., ArcticDEM, Copernicus DEM) allows us to implement our mapping approach on a circumpolar scale. Comprehensive mapping of DLBs areas across the circumpolar permafrost landscape will allow for future utilization of these data in pan-Arctic models and greatly enhance our understanding of DLBs in the context of permafrost landscapes. Better resolution of the spatial distribution of DLBs in lowland permafrost regions will improve quantitative studies on landscape diversity, wildlife habitat, permafrost, hydrology, geotechnical conditions, and high-latitude carbon cycling.

Every year, on December 1st, the polar community celebrates Antarctica day. For this special day, APECS Germany is organizing a special webinar on funding, welcoming fellow Early Career Researchers and interested students alike.

Topics include how to finance your PhD, PostDoc or fieldwork campaign, searching for funding, and what it takes to write a good grant proposal.

Joined by a group of panelists discussing their funding journey, you'll get insights into the funding landscape for ECRs in Germany and abroad, best practices and have a casual chat about your questions.

Please register so that you can get access to the zoom session.

Antarctica Day is an international holiday recognizing the anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. It is celebrated on December 1st each year. Along with Midwinter Day, it is one of Antarctica's two principal holidays. Celebrate Antarctica Day with PolarTREC!

Join PolarTREC for a live event from the Dry Valleys of Antarctica with PolarTREC teacher Lucy Coleman. The presentation will focus on the history of the Antarctica Treaty and how it relates to science conducted in Antarctica, in particular with the project Lucy is part of Microbial Interactions in Antarctic Lakes.

This event is free to attend but registration is required.

ArcticNet is planning on hosting an in-person event for its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) at the Beanfield Centrein Toronto. A joint ACUNS/ArcticNet Student Day will be held on Monday, 5 December along with a series of side meetings, and the topical sessions and networking events will take place Tuesday through Thursday, 6-8 December.

The ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting brings together researchers from the natural, health, and social sciences to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing Arctic region, shaped by climate change and modernization. This conference will push the boundaries of our collective understanding of the Arctic and strengthen our ability to address the Arctic issues of today and tomorrow.

As a hub for Arctic research in Canada, the ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) brings together a broad range of research in and about the Arctic and northern regions of Canada and the world. The ASM advances our collective understanding of the Arctic and North, with an inclusive view of the Arctic spanning from Inuit Nunangat, across the Canadian territories, circumpolar Arctic regions, and more.

The deadline for abstract submission is 14 September 2022.

The second INQUA-MARE Workshop, “Arctic Realm”, will be held in Pisa, Italy and Online using Zoom.

The workshop will follow this provisional schedule:

• Day 1 - 5 December: Micropaleontology, Geochemistry and Biomarkers
• Day 2 - 6 December: Sedimentology, Oceanography and Modelling
• Day 3 - 7 December: Research Opportunities and Round Table

Participation in the workshop is free; you can register by completing a google form by November 25th. Early Career Researcher (ECR) & Developing-Country Researcher (DCR) Travel Grants are available - apply by October 14th.

The deadline for abstract submission is October 25th.

The Mathematics on Ice Forum meet once a month to discuss mathematical aspects of ice dynamics and bring together the community in an informal online atmosphere.

The forum is usually 4:00pm to 5:30pm UK Time, though some sessions are at a different time to accommodate people in far-off timezones. In each meeting there are two presentations and time for discussions and ice-breaking in small sub-groups. The typical format is:

• 4:00 - 4:25 First talk + questions
• 4:25 - 4:35 Breakout discussion / ice-breaking
• 4.35 - 5:00 Second talk + questions
• 5:00 - 5:10 Breakout discussions / ice-breaking
• 5:10 - 5:30 Summary questions / discussion

The format is intended to stem from your contributions – give a talk, join the discussions, and invite further participants. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to contribute. The organizers would like to encourage in particular PhD students to present their research.

The UAF Arctic Coastal Geoscience Lab uses a combination of remote sensing, ground and aerial surveys and citizen science to measure erosion and flooding in several Alaskan villages. During this webinar Rich will describe their work monitoring coastal erosion and laying the foundation for resilience in coastal Alaskan communities.

Please register to attend.

Presenters: Nicholas Bond, Ph. D., WA State Climatologist; Elizabeth A. Logerwell, Ph.D., NOAA AFSC

Sponsors: This seminar is part of NOAA's EcoFOCI bi-annual seminar series focused on the ecosystems of the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea and U.S. Arctic to improve understanding of ecosystem dynamics and applications of that understanding to the management of living marine resources. Since Oct 21, 1986, the seminar has provided an opportunity for research scientists and practitioners to meet, present, develop their ideas and provoke conversations on subjects pertaining to fisheries-oceanography or regional issues in Alaska's marine ecosystems, including the US Arctic. Visit the EcoFOCI webpage for more information.

Abstract

Two presentations will take a reflective look at climate science in Alaska with a review of the present North Pacific atmosphere-ocean system in a historical context followed by a discussion on the emphasis by the Alaska Chapter of the NCA5 on the societal impacts of climate change for Alaska with illustrative examples. Gather information about the mechanisms associated with water temperature transitions around Alaska compared to previous major changes in the regional climate and near surface temperatures. Then, hear about a combination of physical and ecological effects of climate change, which has far-reaching consequences for people statewide.

Bios

Nicholas Bond is the Washington State Climatologist. Most of his work has been with FOCI and has focused on variability in climate and atmospheric forcing of the Bering Sea, and topographical effects on coastal winds in Alaska.

Libby Logerwell is a Supervisory Research Fishery Biologist at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. She is active in the promotion of Ecosystem-Based Management nationally and internationally through her involvement with the Arctic Council, the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

What makes the North American Arctic unique? In many ways, it is the remoteness and sparsity of the region that gives it its character: cultural integrity has been preserved, much of the land remains untouched, and political self-determination has been maintained. But its remoteness also gives rise to extreme economic challenges. Communities that are remote and off-grid face affordability and accessibility challenges that those in southern and urban areas do not. In particular, transportation, energy and connectivity are more difficult, and therefore more expensive, in the Arctic, with dramatic consequences for development. This affects not only the social well-being of Arctic residents, many of whom struggle with high cost food and housing, and limited access to health services, education and employment. It also affects the competitiveness of economic and resource development, and the ability to exercise the defense and security of the region.

Please join the Wilson Center for a discussion about the nature of remoteness, the opportunities and barriers to various solutions in the Arctic, and assess various public and private financing mechanisms to bring them to life.

Speakers

Heather Exner-Pirot
Fellow; Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Canada

Jessica M. Shadian, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Arctic360

Madeleine Redfern, LL.B.
Chief Operating Officer, CanArctic Inuit Networks

Moderator

Jack Durkee
Program Associate, Polar Institute // Manager, Arctic Infrastructure Inventory

AGU Fall Meeting is the most influential event in the world dedicated to the advancement of Earth and space sciences. Every year, AGU Fall Meeting unites the Earth and space science community to share findings, connect like-minded scientists from around the world, and advance our profession and shared passion for the impact of science.

AGU Fall Meeting 2022 will be held in Chicago and online everywhere 12 - 16 December 2022. More than 25,000 attendees from more than 100 countries will convene to explore how Science Leads the Future. The organizers will welcome a diverse community of scientists, students, journalists, policymakers, educators, and organizations who are working toward a world where scientific discovery leads to scientific solutions, and where our global collaborations and partnerships can carry us into a sustainable future.

The abstract submission deadline is 3 August (23:59 EDT/03:59 +1 GMT).

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) announces the opening of the nomination period for the 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. ASLC established the Awards to recognize those who have made significant contributions to ocean sciences, education, and resource management in Alaska. Nominations for the 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards are open now through December 12, 2022.

The award categories are as follows:

Walter J. & Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to an individual or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 or more years. $1,000 cash prize. Sponsored by the late Governor Walter J. and the late Ermalee Hickel.

Stewardship & Sustainability Award: Awarded to an industry initiative that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. Sponsored by Jason Brune. Marine Research Award: Awarded to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution or a career spanning achievement in any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Dr. Clarence Pautzke and Dr. Maureen McCrea.

Marine Science Outreach Award: Awarded to a person, team, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media, or other communications about Alaska’s marine ecosystems. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Alaska Ocean Observing System.

Ocean Youth Award: Awarded to an individual or team of Alaskan youth up to 19 years old who has displayed dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Brian Pinkston.

As a recent study has shown, the impact of climate change is almost four times stronger in the Arctic than elsewhere, a phenomenon that has been identified as "Arctic amplification". This event, organized within the French Embassy's cycle of "Clima Talks", honours Jean Malaurie, France's most distinguished Arctic researcher on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Discussions will focus on the development of Arctic research since Professor Malaurie's legendary expedition to Thule in North-West Greenland during the winter 1950-51 and his extraordinary account thereof entitled The Last Kings of Thule (1955, German ed. 1957 with a preface by J. Georgi), the most widely distributed book about Greenland in the world.

Paying homage to Jean Malaurie's 75 years of circumpolar studies, the session will discuss latest research results produced notably by the MOSAIC expedition led by Prof Markus Rex from AWI and the impact of current changes, environmental, economic and geopolitical, on Arctic societies and notably indigenous communities.

Presentations of Jean Malaurie's exceptional career and the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAIC), the biggest, most elaborate Arctic expedition ever, will be followed by a panel discussion about most recent developments in the Arctic.

A get-together will foster the discussion between participants.

The event is free to attend in person or online!

The NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) is inviting members of the USAP community to an upcoming Sexual Assault Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) virtual Listening Session. Additional virtual Listening Sessions will be taking place in January and February 2023 as well.

For background, in April 2021, NSF enlisted subject-matter experts to examine sexual harassment and sexual assault in the USAP Community and recommend corrective actions. Their findings and recommendations are detailed in the recently released SAHPR Needs Assessment Report and Implementation Plan (Report), which can be found on the NSF website. The Report presents both serious concerns and a clear path for improvement.

As OPP launches these virtual sessions, more of the USAP community is invited to join this conversation. This is an opportunity for you to talk and for NSF to listen. Any current and past USAP community member, particularly those that have deployed in the last 5 years, may bring comments, questions, and concerns directly to NSF. This December 2022 session will be capped at 60 participants and will be first come first serve. Future virtual sessions in January and February 2023 will provide specific spaces for survivors of sexual violence and harassment on the ice, for those located at South Pole, Palmer, and vessel communities, among others. OPP is still developing the schedule and will share it once dates are confirmed.

Rick Thoman will review recent and current climate conditions around Alaska, discuss forecast tools, and finish up with the Climate Prediction Center’s forecast for January 2023 and the winter. Join the gathering online to learn what’s happened and what may be in store with Alaska’s seasonal climate.

Please register to attend.

IASC is now accepting proposals for consideration for IASC funding in 2023 until 18 December 2022 at 23:59 GMT.

The funding is provided by the five IASC Working Groups (WGs) (Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social & Human, Terrestrial) and aimed at encouraging and supporting science-led international programmes by offering opportunities for planning and coordination, and by facilitating communication and access to facilities.

Proposals can be submitted for:

• Cross-cutting Projects (relevant for two or more IASC Working Groups); or
• WG-specific Projects (relevant for only one IASC Working Group)

Proposals may include, but are not limited to, projects that contribute to the engagement phase during 2023 of the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) process. IASC is coordinating the ICARP IV process (2023 - 2025) by engaging its partners in Arctic research to enable a community-wide undertaking to discuss the state of Arctic science and the place the Arctic occupies in global affairs and systems, to consider the most urgent knowledge gaps and research priorities for the next decade, and to explore avenues to address these research needs. More information on ICARP IV is available on the ICARP IV website.

The National Science Foundation has released a solicitation for NSF EPSCoR “Track-2” collaborative research projects. Proposals must include Co-PIs from at least two of the 28 EPSCoR states and territories, and must be on the topic of “Advancing climate change research and resilience capacity to expand opportunities for disproportionately affected communities."

Proposals are for up to four years and up to a total of $1 million a year for awards shared between two EPSCoR jurisdictions, and up to $1.5 million a year for awards shared between three or more jurisdictions.

Letters of intent are due December 20, 2022 and full proposals due January 24, 2023 (by 5:00pm submitter's local time)

Dr. Jens M. Nielsen will discuss comparing empirical models which can be used with satellite ocean color data to estimate phytoplankton size-fractionated chlorophyll in the Bering and Chukchi seas. Models were compared using total chlorophyll as the predictor for three size-fractions (<5, 5-20 and > 20 m). First, existing size fraction models were accessed, with their global original parameters, and then compared them to models which were regionally-tuned using 266 in-situ surface chlorophyll samples for each size, collected in 2017 and 2019. In addition, other input variables (e.g. sea surface temperature (SST), spatial location) were tested to improve predictions of chlorophyll size fractions.

Finally, the utility of general additive and Random Forest models was assessed. Comparison among models show the regionally tuned models perform best regardless of size fraction, with total chlorophyll being the most important predictor. SST appears to improve the models primarily for the smallest size fraction. Future implementation of these models with long-term satellite ocean color data can help us understand the effects of long-term environmental change in the Bering and Chukchi ecosystems, and aid the prediction of future trophic scenarios, which is necessary for ecosystem management.

Bio

Dr. Jens M. Nielsen is an aquatic ecologist. Focusing primarily on plankton ecology, his research aims to understand community and trophic dynamics in ecosystems. He is further interested in how chemical, physical and biological factors influence the functioning of ecosystems, and how ecological research can inform ecosystem management. His current research focuses on analyzing long-term ichthyoplankton data in an effort to develop biological indicators of ecosystem changes along the US west coast from California to Alaska. Dr. Jens M. Nielsen's past research has centered on food web ecology and diet tracing techniques through a variety of empirical, modeling and syntheses studies. Before joining NOAA, he worked as a post-doctoral fellow at University of Washington and at Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. He holds a PhD in Marine Ecology from Stockholm University, Sweden.

The theme of the 103rd American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Meeting will be Data: Driving Science. Informing Decisions. Enriching Humanity.

AMS is committed to ensuring that their meetings and events allow their attendees and presenters to share their science and connect with one another, however they can. As such, the 103rd AMS Annual Meeting will be a hybrid meeting. You will be able to participate in all upcoming AMS Meetings in-person or virtually.

Plan now to present your work at the meeting. Most abstracts are due 24 August.

Organizers invite session abstracts for the Sixth Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences (XMAS-VI).

To promote interdisciplinary studies in marine environmental science and to foster the next generation of ocean scientists, the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University (MEL) initiated the first Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences (XMAS) in 2014. Since then, XMAS has grown to become one of the largest international conferences in the field of marine sciences in Asia and acts as a hotspot to exchange research interests in global and regional oceans.

In its sixth iteration, XMAS-VI will be held in Xiamen from January 9th to 12th, 2023 with the theme focusing on Multidisciplinary and Solution Sciences for a Sustainable and Healthy Ocean. The symposium will consist of various interconnected sessions covering physical oceanography, marine biogeochemistry, biological oceanography, geological oceanography, and marine ecotoxicology along with workshops and other events for emerging topics in marine environmental sciences such as ocean-based carbon removal, ocean sustainability, etc.

Abstract Deadline: 30 September 2022.