• Understanding Arctic Change Workshop
  • 29 September – 1 October 2010
  • Grand Hyatt Seattle - Room: Blewett Suite, 7th Floor
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Agenda
Workshop Goal

This workshop gathers a diverse group of arctic experts to develop a white paper to: (1) Identify key unknowns and key science questions for understanding arctic system change, and (2) Identify the next steps in synthesis activities, methodologies, mechanisms, and approaches to address the identified key science questions.

Time Event
Wednesday, 29 September
Objectives for Wednesday:
  1. Ensure all participants understand goals of the white paper and workshop (morning).
  2. Establish agreement on general structure and content of the white paper (morning).
  3. Work on draft white paper, specifically focused on science questions (white paper goal #1) (morning/afternoon).
8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast in Meeting Room
8:30 a.m.

Introductory Session

  • Participant Introductions (15 minutes)
  • Josh Schimel and John Walsh (Workshop Co-chairs): Background, goal of white paper, goal and structure of workshop (20 minutes)

    Download Presentation - Josh Schimel (PDF - 412 KB)

    Download Presentation - John Walsh (PDF - 79 KB)

  • Hajo Eicken (SEARCH Science Steering Committee Chair): SEARCH perspective on white paper goals and uses (20 minutes)

    Download Presentation (PDF - 398 KB)

  • Neil Swanberg (NSF) – NSF vision for an "Understanding Arctic Change" effort and how white paper should contribute to vision (20 minutes)
  • Other relevant efforts: PRB workshop on Frontiers in Understanding Polar Ecosystems (Jackie Grebmeier), Arctic System Modeling Science Plan (John Walsh), Freshwater Integration (Marika Holland), any others (15 minutes)
10:00 a.m. Short Break
10:15 a.m.

Plenary Discussion: Clarify goal of white paper and workshop

  • What do we mean by "Understanding Arctic Change"?
  • What do we mean by "approaches and methodologies"?
  • Ideas for major changes to "discussion draft" white paper – new ideas for science questions, approaches, etc
12:00 p.m.

Agree on structure and assignments for afternoon break-out groups (e.g., each break-out group focus on all science questions [white paper goal #1])

12:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
2:00 p.m.

Convene into break-out groups (break as needed)

4:00 p.m.

Re-convene in plenary for break-out group reports

5:30 p.m.

Working sessions adjourn

6:00 p.m.

Reception and dinner at Six Seven restaurant on waterfront (Edgewater Hotel, Alki Room, 3rd floor)

Time Event
Thursday, 30 September
Objectives for Thursday:
  1. Continue to refine science questions, if needed (white paper goal #1)
  2. Develop "activities/methods/approaches" (white paper goal #2)
8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast in Meeting Room
8:30 a.m.

Review yesterday's progress, discuss day's goals, decide on the day's structure

9:00 a.m.

Morning Session (to be determined at workshop, though should include discussion and/or break-outs on "activities/methods/approaches" (white paper goal #2)

12:00 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:30 p.m.

Afternoon Session (e.g., break-outs focused on "activities / methods / approaches" (white paper goal #2)

4:00 p.m.

Reconvene in Plenary

5:00 p.m.

Adjourn for Day (Dinner on your own)

Time Event
Friday, 30 September
Objectives for Friday:
  1. Refine draft and develop details so that white paper will be ready for broad community review within 1 month of workshop
  2. Agree on post-workshop writing assignments and deadlines
8:30 a.m.

Review yesterday's progress, discuss goals for the day, and decide on the day's structure

9:00 a.m.

Final Workshop Session (Session structure to be determined at workshop)

12:00 p.m. Workshop Adjourns