Past Events

The Local Organizing Committee and Portland State University look forward to welcoming the Antarctic community to Portland, Oregon in July of 2012.

This SCAR Open Science Conference will focus on SCAR's dual role of science and advice to policy makers. In a change to previous conferences the first time slots (2.5 hours) of the last three days will be in plenary, with a focus on high level overarching themes we believe will be of interest to the majority of attendees:

-Antarctic Conservation Challenges in a Century of Change
-Past, Present and Future Climate Evolution
-Evolution and Biodiversity in Antarctica

There will be parallel sessions as normal after these plenary sessions.

For more information regarding the program and meeting, please visit:
http://scar2012.geol.pdx.edu/

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) are pleased to announce the kick-off workshop of the renewed Ice-Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level (ISMASS) expert group.

WORKSHOP AIMS:

1)To assess the current knowledge of the contribution of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets to global and regional sea-level rise, taking into account ongoing and proposed projects including the ESA/NASA-supported Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-Comparison Exercise. The focus will be on quantifying the uncertainties, and understanding and resolving the current discrepancies among the estimates from different observational and modelling methods. New techniques will also be explored.

2)To analyze how model-based predictions of ice-sheet discharge contributions to sea-level changes can be improved. The emphasis will be on identifying the main shortcomings of the currently available models and suggesting improvements for the next generation of ice-sheet models. Particular attention will be given to the interactions of ice sheets and shelves with the oceans and the atmosphere.

3)To reach a consensus on the magnitude of the current contribution of ice-sheet surface mass balance and discharge to sea-level change, and disseminate this knowledge not only to other researchers, but to policymakers and the general public.

4)To analyze the feasibility of preparing updates of the estimates of the contribution of ice-sheet discharge to sea-level rise between successive IPCC reports (e.g. every two years).

5)To study the regional distribution of sea-level rise and its impacts on coastal areas.

6)To determine how the renewed SCAR-IASC joint expert group on Ice Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level (ISMASS) should be organized to effectively meet the above objectives.

The two-week summer school will bring graduate students and young scientists together with academic specialists in climate science and decision makers from both the public and private sectors. It is specifically designed to immerse a new generation of scientists in the
opportunities and challenges of climate modeling. Alaska and the Arctic will serve as test-beds for regional downscaling, although the methods will be suitable for applications elsewhere.

The main focus of the summer course will be on how to apply available observations and global and regional model output to meet user needs at the local and regional scales. Introductory overviews of major components of the climate system, including features unique to the Arctic, will be followed by details of how those observations and modeling efforts can be made useful to stakeholders. Dialog with individuals from government agencies, industry, and local communities will help foster understanding of the problem of communicating climate
science to society.

The summer school will consist of lectures and technical sessions in the mornings, and mini-projects and informal discussions in the afternoons. Mini-projects will be performed in collaboration with faculty members and lecturers. All participants will give short presentations on their mini-projects at the end of the two-week period. Because one of the goals of the summer school is to bridge observations and modeling with 'real-world' applications, classroom lectures will be complemented by field trips to research sites around interior Alaska.

The summer school will be offered as a two-credit UAF summer graduate course. Hosted by UAF and sponsored by the Department of Interior's (DOI) Alaska Climate Science Center, the course will be coordinated by Vladimir Alexeev, John Walsh, Scott Rupp, and Stephen Gray. Opportunities will be provided for students and scientists from different regional DOI Climate Science Centers to interact and share experiences. Summer school participants will also include graduate students from outside of the Climate Science Center Network, with
several participants drawn from the international scientific community.

Application packages must include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest. Applications should be submitted electronically to Tohru Saito (saito [at] iarc.uaf.edu) no later than Tuesday, 15 May 2012.

Important: All applicants need to secure their own funds to participate in this opportunity, including airfare to Fairbanks, meals, and lodging.

Visit the world’s only university-owned rocket range, located in the heart of the Interior’s gold-mining district – Chatanika. Poker Flat Research Range has launched sounding rockets since 1969, but has recently grown to include a fleet of unmanned aircraft. You’re invited to tour the lower range, view models of rockets and unmanned aircraft and earn about the history of this exciting site that draws scientists from around the world. The Poker Flat Research Range Open House runs from 4 to 8 p.m. and admission is free!

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE) announces the availability of a training program in Arctic Atmospheric Science. The program will be held 23-27 July 2012 in Alliston, Ontario.

The Summer School is intended for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows working in the field, with some places available for CREATE undergraduate summer interns. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from experienced researchers in a small and comfortable setting. In addition to classroom lectures, students will participate in a hands-on photochemical modeling tutorial; engage in a diverse career panel discussion; develop strategies for linking scientific knowledge to public engagement, education, and outreach; and present their own research during a poster session.

The goal of the program is to significantly enhance the educational opportunities available to young researchers interested in polar, atmospheric, and climate sciences, enabling them to build collaborations and to develop scientific, technical, communications, and organizational skills. Topics to be covered include aerosol-cloud-climate interactions, arctic halogen chemistry, polar stratospheric ozone, middle atmosphere dynamics, satellite remote sensing of pollution, global climate, glacier-climate interactions in the Arctic, carbon cycling in glacial environments, space and ground-based atmospheric instrumentation, science support management at South Pole Station, Inuit culture, teaching and education in the Canadian Arctic, and science journalism.

Admission to the summer school includes all on-site food and accommodation. A chartered bus will be available to take attendees to and from downtown Toronto, however, attendees are responsible for travel between their home institution and Toronto or Alliston. To apply, please
fill out the application form obtained from the 'Opportunities' section of the CREATE website (http://www.candac.ca/create). Completed applications must also include a curriculum vitae and a short letter of support from the applicant's supervisor. Applications must be submitted by email (create_summerschool [at] atmosp.physics.utoronto.ca).

This workshop will be organized around four principal topics:
1. Addressing state regulatory and policy issues
2. Introduction of cargo airship developers and vehicles
3. Understanding the environment of northern operations
4. Funding for airship development and deployment

The first two days will build on the discussions and efforts that were launched at last year’s cargo airship workshop. We will address how best to bridge the remaining challenges and opportunities associated with bringing this yet to be exploited air transportation system to full deployment in northern operations. The optional final day will offer the opportunity to take part in a variety of local site visits—more information and pricing will be available soon.

Organizers of the "Public Participation in Scientific Research" (PPSR) conference announce that registration and abstract submission are now available. The conference will be convened 4-5 August 2012 in Portland, Oregon. It is being held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), which is scheduled 6-10 August 2012.

With the rapid growth and innovation of PPSR, there is a need for sharing insights across projects and fields of study. This landmark event will convene science researchers, project leaders, educators, technology specialists, evaluators, and others from across many disciplines (including astronomy, molecular biology, human and environmental health, and ecology) to discuss advancing the field of PPSR.

Poster abstracts will feature highly in the conference and will allow extended informal discussions and active participation by authors and coauthors. There will be three separate 1.5-hour poster sessions.

Professionals will be gathering in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA on August 5-10, 2012, to share health related research findings and program successes that will improve the quality of life for those living in circumpolar regions. This will be a wonderful opportunity to share your products, information, and network with approximately seven hundred and fifty health professionals, researchers, and indigenous representatives from USA, Greenland, Denmark, Canada, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and other countries interested in circumpolar health.

For further information, please visit:
http://www.icch15.com/

The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region is a biennial conference for parliamentarians representing the eight Arctic countries and the European Parliament. The first Parliamentary Conference concerning Arctic cooperation was held in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1993. The next conference will be held in the Iceland 5-7 September 2012.

The biennial conference is attended by representatives from the national parliaments of the Arctic states and the European Parliament. The Arctic indigenous peoples are permanent participants to the cooperation. Observers participate from governments and inter-parliamentary organizations as well as from observer states and relevant international organizations.

One of the main priorities of the Standing Committee was originally to support the establishment of the Arctic Council. Since then the Standing Committee has worked actively to promote the work of the Council and participates in the meetings of the Arctic Council as an observer. Today the Committee is engaged in topics like: shipping possibilities, education and research, human development and climate change.

The main items on the agenda for this conference are:
1. Arctic Governance and the Arctic Council
2. Economic opportunities in the Arctic
3. Human Development in the Arctic: Interplay of Research, Authorities and Residents

The conference will adopt a statement directed to the Arctic Council, the governments in the Arctic Region and the institutions of the European Union. Please note that participation is by invitation only.

The U.S. Arctic Research Commission will hold its 98th meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska, on August 9-10, 2012. The business sessions will be open to the public. The most recent draft agenda is available on the website. The public session on Aug.10th begins at noon, not 11:30 am as indicated in the public notice.

The Arctic is front and center in peoples' minds. Increased maritime traffic and new opportunities for development have brought about more reasons to understand and work toward safe and secure operations both on land and off Alaska's coast. To help Alaskans understand these critical challenges and issues at stake in the Arctic, the Institute convened the first Week of the Arctic last year, drawing over 550 participants to five events in four days. The 2012 Week of the Arctic will take place August 13-18 in Anchorage, Alaska. Week of the Arctic events will include:

• Monday, August 13: Federal Research Priorities and Processes
• Tuesday, August 14: Arctic Council Strategic Planning and Luncheon
• Wednesday, August 15: Northern Energy Science and Technology Fair
• Thursday, August 16: Bering Strait Port Authority Workshop
• Saturday, August 18: Governor Walter J. Hickel Day of the Arctic Brunch

The Week of the Arctic's signature event is the annual Robert O. Anderson Sustainable Arctic Award Dinner on Friday, August 17th. This year we'll be recognizing Red Dog Mine for their sustainable development in the North.

The U.S. is an Arctic nation because Alaska is an Arctic state – the goal of this panel will be to better understand where and how Alaskans can have an impact in broader national and international agendas. Throughout the circumpolar north, discussions are taking place about the best way to incorporate local and traditional knowledge, as well as sub national interests, into national agendas. Learn about how national decision-making is informed by federal research priorities, and learn more about how these priorities are determined.

Join us for an evening of stimulating discussion, with speakers
including:

• Dr. Joel Clement, Director of Policy Analysis, Department of Interior
• Dr. David Scott, Executive Director, Canadian Polar Commission
• Dr. Cheryl Rosa, Deputy Director, U.S. Arctic Research
  Commission

This event takes place from 6pm to 8pm at the Anchorage Museum Auditorium. Reception to follow; $15 to attend, $5 for students.

Policy-makers and administrators, academics and public policy experts are invited to join the Institute of the North for lunch with U.S. State Department Senior Arctic Official Julia Gourley. This special luncheon provides Alaskans with a unique opportunity to hear Ms. Gourley discuss the United States’ role within the Arctic Council in promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States on issues ranging from oil spill response, search and rescue, climate change impact, marine shipping, infrastructure development and environmental protection. She will also highlight the scientific work being carried out by the six expert working groups.

The event will take place at the Hotel Captain Cook Ballroom from 11:30am to 1pm. Lunch will be provided. $35 to attend.

Hosted by the Institute of the North’s Arctic Energy Network, the Northern Energy Science and Technology Fair will bring together leading northern energy experts to share the science and technology behind developing renewable and extractive energy resources, meeting community energy needs with local input, and responding to the unique challenges energy projects in the Arctic often present. Attendees will learn more about advances in renewable and non-renewable energy development, emerging energy technologies, groundbreaking research, and unique collaborations in northern environments.

The objectives of the conference are to foster knowledge exchange and promote technological advancement in the area of cold regions engineering. Topics considered for the conference include soils, roads, airfields and railways, water and building and structures.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.csce.ca/2012/iccre/

The effect of global warming on arctic and alpine environments is more and more relevant to plant science, particularly dendrochronology. Since the anatomical structure of arctic and alpine plants, and the structural variability caused by environmental change, is not well known, this course is being offered to set a baseline for future anatomical and dendroecological studies beyond forests.

Students will learn basic wood-anatomical knowledge based on permanent microscopic slides. The main focus is on trees, shrubs, dwarf shrubs, and herbs growing in the boreal and arctic, as well as the subalpine and alpine, zones of the northern hemisphere. Topics for instruction will include:

• The anatomy of boreal conifers for the analysis of driftwood;
• The anatomy and annual ring structures of long-living dwarf shrubs; and
• The anatomy of root collars and annual ring structures of herbs of cushion plants.

The course will also contain multiple excursions in the alpine and subalpine zones of the Alps (near Davos), with discussions on sampling strategies to solve problems in relation to climatology, ecology and changes of vegetation zones. Each participant will learn and practice simple and effective techniques for preparing high quality permanent micro-sections in a fully equipped laboratory.

Lodging will in a holiday house with normal comfort at Klosters-Dorf in Switzerland at 1300m a.s.l in the center of the Alps. Mrs. Hildegard Steck will prepare excellent food.

The price of approximately 790 Euros, depending on currency fluctuations includes:

• The scientific program;
• An anatomical and technical script;
• Full accommodation (double rooms in a holiday house with normal comfort at Klosters-Dorf in Switzerland; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee breaks); and
• Transport to field sites.

Registration deadline: 31 May 2012.

Researchers from NASA Ames Research Center will provide insights into the new technologies that form the solid engineering basis for modern cargo airship systems. Speakers from the mining, oil, and gas industries will describe their transportation challenges and how they plan to exploit cargo airships in support of their businesses. Local Alaskan air freight firms will discuss how cargo airships can complement existing air transport fleets by providing additional capability and expanding air shipping services. The world's leading developers of airships will provide design and operational details on new cargo airships they're currently developing and preparing to deploy for commercial service. Representatives from the financial community will present the many options available for what has often been the missing element of airship development and operations, funding.

Join us for the Arctic Imperative Summit — two days of provocative discussions, investor roundtables and original research focusing on infrastructure development, policy needs and economic opportunities in the Alaskan Arctic. The summit will be hosted by Alaska Dispatch and will bring together leading voices in this conversation, including residents from the small villages that comprise Alaska's coastal communities, state, national and international leaders, the heads of shipping and industry, as well as international policymakers and the news media. The goal of the summit is to sharpen the focus on the policy and investment needs of Alaska's Arctic through a series of high level meetings, presentations, investor roundtables and original research.

2012 Program Topics include:
-Arctic Investment Opportunities
-Arctic International Affairs
-Emerging Industry Needs
-Arctic Science and Research for Development
-Investor and Business Roundtables
-Principals for Responsible Arctic Development
-Resources
-Fisheries
-Aviation

The Cryosphere Working Group of the International Arctic Science Committee has initiated a field workshop on studies of Arctic tidewater glaciers. The workshop will be held in Svalbard aboard the Polish r/v “Horyzont II”. The ship has suitable facilities for workshop sessions and will provide accommodation, board, social meetings and transport of participants to neighboring tidewater glaciers by motor boats.

Application for early career scientist participation must be submitted to the Cryosphere Working Group Secretariat (Sara.Bowden [at] iasc.info) by 10 June 2012. More detailed information on objectives scope of the workshop can be obtained from Jacek A. Jania (jacek.jania [at] us.edu.pl) and on logistics / practicalities from Piotr Glowacki (glowacki [at] igf.edu.pl).

The aim of this summer school is to talk and learn about recent developments in microstructural analysis of ice and snow. It is mostly focused on MSc, PhD and also postdocs. Undergraduates are also welcome to apply. Our goal is to get around 35 students together. Over 4 days, lecturers will present various aspects of microstructures of ice and snow, inclusing theory, analysis, experiment and numerical modelling. During a special science and career day, lecturers and participants will talk about their careers, and offer advice on writing applications and proposals. A poster session is devoted to posters of all participants.