ICARP IV Summit Sessions included in the Call for Abstracts

ASSW 2025 organizers are now accepting abstracts for the ICARP IV Summit.

The following 60 sessions are available for abstract submissions. Sessions have been organized across eight thematic areas, seven of which correspond to the seven ICARP IV Research Priority Teams. The program committee selected the most relevant thematic area for each listed session, however, many sessions are relevant to more than one thematic area.

Please visit the ICARP IV Abstract Submission System for submission guidelines and instructions on how to submit your abstract.

 

Thematic Areas

1. The Role of the Arctic in the Global System

2. Observing, Reconstructing, and Predicting Future Climate Dynamics and Ecosystem Responses

3. Understanding the dynamics and resilience of Arctic social-ecological systems to foster sustainable futures

4. Arctic Research Cooperation and Diplomacy

5. Co-Production and Indigenous-led methodologies

6. Education and knowledge-sharing in and about the Arctic: Research and Practice

7. Technology, Infrastructure, Logistics, and Services

8. Arctic Data

 

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1. The Role of the Arctic in the Global System

 

# 1.1.  Emerging Arctic ecosystems and their potential for carbon sequestration

Novel ecosystems are emerging in Arctic regions as a result of retreating or thinning sea ice. Changes in the physical conditions (e.g. exposure to waves, light penetration, nutrient supply, stratification and oxygen content) allow for the poleward movement of species distributions with subsequent impact on biodiversity through changed primary production and reorganization of coastal, pelagic and benthic communities. At the same time, anthropogenic and climate change related stressors have the potential to change the functionality and productivity of these emerging ecosystems. Uncertainties arise whether these ecosystems actually generate a valuable negative feedback on climate change through carbon sequestration. It is within the context of these uncertainties, that we invite contributions that are planning or already conducting fundamental and applied research into carbon production, export and sequestration across the full range of existing and emerging Arctic ecosystems. We particularly welcome contributions focusing on observational studies (in situ, paleo-oceanography, or remote sensing) or modelling approaches that estimate carbon sequestration in the past, at the present-day and in the future. Here, we aim to focus on quantifying the carbon sequestration potential of novel Arctic ecosystems associated with sea ice retreat and marginal ice zones and compare it to the paleo-oceanographic records of past sedimentation, productivity, ice cover and other environmental factors in coastal, fjord, shelf sea and open ocean ecosystems.

The session is organized by the Horizon2023 project SEA-Quester (Grant Agreement No. 101136480), focusing on the causes and consequences of emerging polar ecosystems and their potential for carbon sequestration.

CONVENERS:

• Claudia Elena Schmidt, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
• Helmuth Thomas, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
• Sarina Niedzwiedz, University of Bremen

 

# 1.2.  Hydrometeorological and Societal Impacts of Snow and Ice Changes in Arctic and Alpine Regions

Snow and ice cover play an important role in controlling land-atmosphere interaction, influencing climate variability at regional and global scales, sustaining water resources and impacting ecological integrity. Hydrologic and geomorphic processes are rapidly changing in Arctic and alpine regions, and the frequency of geohazards such as rain on snow floods, sudden melt and thaw events, catastrophic drainage of thermokarst lakes, and glacial lake outburst floods increase in response to climate and terrestrial changes. We cordially invite researchers, scientists and practitioners to contribute to this session to investigate the links between cryospheric, hydrologic, terrestrial, and societal systems. We are particularly interested in, but not limited to, studies that can:

• Improve our understanding of cryospheric and hydrogeomorphic processes in Arctic and alpine environments
• Advance knowledge of hydrologic, geomorphic, and societal impacts of climate change in cryospheric regions
• Provide sustainable and adaptive strategies to mitigate the societal impacts of snow and ice-related geohazards

This session covers a broad scope of topics and methods, including remote sensing, numerical or statistical modeling, and experimental or theoretical approaches for diagnosing or predicting changes, understanding extreme events, and providing sustainable adaptation strategies for hydrologic and geomorphic systems. We will have a group discussion at the end of the session to discuss contributions to ICARP research priorities and implementation. Though most closely aligned with ICARP RPT 1, this session can contribute to multiple other RPTs, especially 2, 3, and 7, as well as the sub-theme of the role of Arctic terrestrial systems in global change at the 2025 ASSW meeting.

CONVENERS:

• Kabir Rasouli, Desert Research Institute
• Greta Wells, University of Iceland
• Philip Marsh, Wilfred Laurier University

 

# 1.3.  Hope for the cryosphere? Proposed approaches to slow the loss of Arctic ice 

Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and removing CO2 from the atmosphere are unlikely to cool the planet in time to avoid devastating impacts from climate change, including loss of Arctic ice. Decreases in Arctic cryosphere elements will impact ecosystems, Arctic people, and global climate. Several global tipping points under threat are cryosphere elements located in the Arctic.

A wide range of approaches have been proposed to slow the loss of Arctic ice within these categories: pollution management, protection, ice management, solar radiation modification, and surface albedo modification. Some of the approaches could be globally implemented with benefits to the Arctic (e.g., methane emissions reductions) while others would be implemented within the Arctic region (e.g., sea ice thickening). Some, but not all, of these approaches are considered climate interventions. Arctic research planning for the next decade must include evaluations of these approaches and recommendations regarding critical research topics.

This session will feature key speakers that cover the current state and potential of the approaches, social and environmental risks and co-benefits, and governance considerations. The session will also invite contributions from conference participants. It is critical that voices from the Arctic are included in discussions about these approaches. The session is intended to create a space for open, inclusive, respectful and transparent dialogue around these approaches.

CONVENERS:

• Henrieka Detlef, Aarhus University
• Albert van Wjingaarden, University of Cambridge
• Kerry Nickols, Ocean Visions

 

# 1.4.  Exploring connections between space weather and the Earth's atmosphere in the polar regions 

Space weather refers to the conditions on the Sun, in the solar wind, and within Earth's magnetosphere and upper atmosphere that affect the performance and reliability of both space-based and terrestrial technologies. There are numerous interactions between space weather and Earth’s neutral atmosphere, with conditions in the lower atmosphere influencing the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, and vice versa. These interactions have significant implications across various scientific disciplines. In the polar regions, the coupling processes between the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and atmosphere impact energetic particle precipitation, thermospheric and ionospheric variability, the polar vortex, polar ozone levels, tropospheric weather, and global climate models that incorporate electromagnetic and charged particle inputs.

Understanding these numerous interconnections and their impacts, particularly in the polar regions but also globally, requires coordinated discussions that bring together the space weather and atmospheric research communities. In this session we invite contributed talks that focus on connections between space weather and terrestrial weather/climate. Examples of topics include (but are not limited to):

• Polar atmospheric variability related to space weather, including the polar vortex, polar mesospheric clouds
• Connections between conditions in the troposphere/stratosphere and the upper atmosphere/ionosphere
• Impacts of climate change on space weather (e.g., future expectations for satellite drag and lifetimes of satellites in orbit, ionospheric scintillation and radio communications)
• Impacts of space weather on climate change
• Current and desired future state of atmosphere-ionosphere-magnetosphere models leading up to IPY5
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations via future ground-based observations, satellite missions, etc. leading up to IPY5

CONVENERS:

• Michael Hartinger, Space Science Institute
• Lynn Harvey, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at CU-Boulder
• Federico Gasperini, Orion Space Solutions

 

# 1.5.  Rapid Changes in the Arctic and their Interactions with the Global Climate Systems: Observations, Driving Forces, and Social Consequences 

Rapid changes have occurred across the Arctic climate system, driving it to a new state. Outstanding examples include amplified warming at a rate faster than anywhere over the globe, largely increased ocean temperatures at the surface and in the deeper layers, drastic sea ice decrease in both extent and thickness throughout the year, accelerating Greenland Ice Sheet melt, intensifying hydrological cycle, thawing of permafrost, increase in methane release, and more frequent occurrence of extreme events. All of these changes have been projected to continue in the future. Along with these changes, interactions across the climate components within the Arctic and between the Arctic and lower latitudes have strengthened. Positive feedbacks between the Arctic climate components can be triggered or enhanced to accelerate the Arctic changes. The changed Arctic can alter global atmospheric and oceanic circulations to increase heat energy transport into the Arctic, adding an additional driving force. On the other hand, the altered atmospheric and oceanic circulations influence the climate and weather outside the Arctic, causing extreme events. All of these changes and events have significantly impact daily life, infrastructure, and broader socio-economic activities.

This session will present new research progresses on the topic and serve as a venue to promote an engagement of the Arctic and global communities into the ICARP IV research priority planning. The presentations and discussions will also provide input to the Research Priority Team 1 activities for the identification and recommendation of research priorities, which make foundational contributions to all other research priority teams.

CONVENERS:

• Xiangdong Zhang, North Carolina State University
• Elana Wilson Rowe, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
• Archana Dayal, Aberystwyth University
• Seong-Joong Kim, Korean Polar Research Institute
• Céline Rodrigues, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

 

 # 1.6.  Unraveling Space Weather: Impacts and Predictions 

Space weather encompasses the conditions on the Sun, the solar wind, and Earth's magnetosphere and atmosphere that influence the performance and reliability of space-based and terrestrial technologies. Variations in the near-Earth space environment can disrupt satellite operations, communications, navigation systems, and electric power distribution grids, leading to significant socio-economic challenges. To thoroughly understand and accurately predict these variations, it is essential to study the Sun, the solar wind, and the interactions within Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere, and magnetosphere. Many of the space weather variations of greatest interest to our society begin in the polar regions, and have their greatest impacts there, before they drive further variations at low and mid latitudes.

Studying this integrated system requires a coordinated interdisciplinary approach, combining all available modalities – space-based and ground-based observations as well as numerical modeling and advanced data analysis techniques. Upcoming NASA satellite missions, such as SMILE, RADICALS, Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC), and Dynamical Neutral Atmosphere Ionosphere Coupling (DYNAMIC), play a critical role in advancing our understanding and predictive capabilities of space weather phenomena. These missions represent a significant leap forward in our space-based observational capabilities in the ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere system. Now is the time to plan scientific studies, campaigns, and observational, modeling, and analysis capabilities to be ready to leverage these significant new databases, expected to come online in time for the next International Polar Year.

In this session we invite contributed talks that focus on space weather, its drivers, and the responses of Earth’s atmosphere.

CONVENERS:

• Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, NASA/CUA
• Doug Rowland, NASA

 

 # 1.7.  Understanding Arctic Amplification mechanisms, global impacts, and associated feedbacks of the climate system at different temporal and spatial scales 

Understanding the polar climate system and significantly narrowing uncertainty by constraining climate projections at different temporal and spatial scales are urgent scientific and societal concerns. During the beginning of 21st century, Arctic Amplification (AA) has strengthened, which poses profound implications for global climate dynamics, ecosystem stability, and socio-economic systems. This session calls for studies that seek to advance our understanding of AA patterns and variations, the driving mechanisms, its current and projected impacts, and the development of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Papers are invited from diverse multidisciplinary teams that integrate, atmosphere, oceanography, cryosphere, ecology, and socio-economic studies. Key areas of interest include, but not limited to, feedback processes associated with AA such as snow and ice albedo ocean heat flux effects, permafrost thawing, greenhouse gas emissions; the impact of AA on Arctic biodiversity and human communities; and the development of improved predictive models to forecast future changes. The ultimate goal is to generate comprehensive insights that will inform policy decisions and foster sustainable development in and beyond the Arctic. Contributing papers to this session would identify processes that are playing more critical roles in the changing Arctic environment and gaps of understanding. We especially welcome contributions that demonstrate innovative methodologies, potential for high impact, and collaborative approaches across disciplines and sectors.

CONVENERS:

• Muyin Wang, University of Washington
• Edward Hanna, University of Lincoln
• Baek-Min Kim, Pukyong National University

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2. Observing, Reconstructing, and Predicting Future Climate Dynamics and Ecosystem Responses

 

# 2.1.  International cooperation for a safe and sustainable future Arctic Ocean 

Arctic climate change fundamentally transforms ecosystems and the services they provide, upon which human societies depend. In the Arctic Ocean, the sea ice is rapidly diminishing, and it is projected that in just a few decades the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free in summer, revealing a new open blue ocean. Changes are not confined to the surface. Underneath, changes in the ocean currents, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem structure and function are also occurring. This is coupled with increased human activities such as new transportation routes, tourism, and fisheries. Norway, as well as the rest of the Arctic nations, are faced with great challenges related to managing our valuable ocean resources in this ´new´ Arctic Ocean. A broad Norwegian community of 18 universities and research institutions is now aiming to establish an ambitious and interdisciplinary 10-year research program aiming to generate the knowledge needed to face these challenges: Arctic Ocean 2050. The programme will constitute a major part of the Norwegian efforts in the upcoming International Polar Year (IPY). While having a geographical focus on the European sector of the Arctic Ocean, it will be designed to foster international collaboration and a more holistic perspective on the Arctic.

CONVENERS:

• Øyvind Paasche, NORCE
• Tore Furevik, NERSC
• Nalan Koc, Norwegian Polar Institute

 

# 2.2.  Integrating and Sustaining Arctic Ocean Observation Systems 

Today there is severe lack of in situ observations of the oceans in the Arctic and Antarctic, and thereby we have limited knowledge about the physical, biogeochemical, and ecological processes and trends. In situ observations are needed for improving ocean-sea ice models and analysis used in ocean climate, monitoring and forecasting services. These services will be increasingly important as ship traffic, tourism and other marine/maritime industries develop in polar regions.

A large amount of observations is collected by scientists and engineers during field campaigns with ice-going vessels and aircraft using a wide range of instruments. During such experiments, instruments are operated under human supervision, which reduces the risk of failure and potential loss of data. To sustain a long-term and year-round observational infrastructure in the Arctic, robust observational platforms equipped with autonomous sensors are required to collect high-quality data at the sea floor, in the ocean column, sea ice, and atmosphere.

The session will invite presentations on operation and integration of observing systems in polar regions, focusing on ice-based observatories with subsurface instruments, floats drifting under the ice, bottom-anchored ocean moorings, seafloor observatories, AUVs, ROVs and cabled-based systems. The session will explore the use of in situ observations in new research related to sea ice, physical oceanography, marine ecosystems, and geohazards and using innovative digital methods for integrative analysis. Synergies between subsea industry and research communities to improve the observing systems will be discussed and plans for IPY 2033-34 will be outlined. The session will address environmental impact and ethical aspects of research in the Arctic.

CONVENERS:

• Hanne Sagen, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center
• Agnieszka Beszczynska-Möller, Institute of Oceanology PAS
• Sascha Schiøtt, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources

 

# 2.3.  Arctic Science through Observational Network: Opportunities and Challenges 

Scientific Observation Networks are essential for advancing our understanding of Arctic environmental dynamics and their impact on global climate change. By monitoring key indicators and collecting long-term data, these networks enable scientists to assess the state of the Arctic ecosystem, identify emerging trends, and inform policymakers and society about the need for effective strategies to mitigate and adapt to ongoing environmental changes.

Arctic Scientific Observation Networks typically combine ground-based observatories, remote sensing platforms, autonomous instruments, and satellite technologies. Their primary goal is to gather data on key indicators such as sea ice extent and thickness, ocean currents, biodiversity, meteorological parameters, atmospheric composition, glacier and snow dynamics, and changes in the state of permafrost.

Creating Scientific Observation Networks involves many challenges, including the long-term financing system, national or international structure, and the use of solutions limiting carbon footprint. Standardization and harmonization of observations, together with data sharing in accordance with FAIR standards, are among the most important challenges facing networks. Maintaining Arctic Scientific Observation Networks is crucial to the development of research, calibration, and validation of Earth System Models and remote-sensing products.

The session invites Abstracts from small and big-scale observation networks in the Arctic presenting their execution, scientific outcomes, and the logistical and technological challenges in setup, deployment, monitoring, data acquisition, data sharing, etc.

CONVENERS:

• Rohit Srivastava, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), India
• Archana Singh, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), India
• Dariusz Ignatiuk, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland

 

# 2.4.  Science for Resilient Communications and Sensing in a Rapidly Changing Arctic 

The Arctic environment is rapidly changing. An expanding human presence and growing geopolitical activity is driving a pressing need to communicate and sense without disruption. In particular, Search And Rescue (SAR) operations, disaster response, enforcement of international norms and agreements, and the maintenance of reliable lines of communication at times of high geopolitical tension, all require new communication and sensing strategies that are resilient to disrupting factors: the harsh Arctic operating environment, geomagnetic activity and other natural and anthropogenic drivers of ionospheric disturbances.

In the arena of communications and sensing, Arctic research planning for the next decade should be cognizant of, and leverage, new developments in next-generation predictions of both the terrestrial and space environments, including high-fidelity earth-system and magnetospheric modeling and deep learning approaches.

We solicit participation in an ICARP IV Summit session with three main goals:

1. Anticipate the transformative role of high-performance computational tools and deep learning techniques in driving new research directions for resilient Arctic communication and sensing.Key Research Planning Question: What new Arctic observations will be needed over the coming decade to inform and validate next-generation models, emerging technologies and new machine learning approaches?
2. Map out and plan for observations supporting new Arctic-specific strategies to communicate and sense through challenging environments and ionospheric disturbances.
3. Promote a common understanding of the need for resilient communications and supporting collaborations--including data sharing to support disaster response, research cooperation to improve disaster response, and collaborative observing to enforce international norms and agreements--while being mindful of geopolitical constraints.

CONVENERS:

• Christopher Jeffery, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA
• Keith Groves, Boston College Institute for Scientific Research, USA
• Wojciech Miloch, Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Norway

 

 # 2.5.  Integrated Arctic Observing for Sustainable Economic Development and Environmental Management towards the International Polar Year 

The High North is experiencing rapid changes in ocean and coastal areas and on land, with the Arctic ocean changing from a winter white to a blue state during the next few decades. The changes are followed by migrating fish stocks, marine heatwaves, extreme events and increased human pressures related to transport, new industrial activities and geopolitical and economic interests. The management of environmental protection and economic development shall be balanced and knowledge based, in accordance with sustainability criteria and goals. However, a sustainable economic development cannot be managed without a well-developed baseline observing system that enables the monitoring of state and changes in the socio-ecological environment. An integrated observing system of systems is needed in the Arctic and the High North to support high quality research, environmental policy, resilient societies and industrial activities.

The session will discuss the state of play with regards to FAIR and CARE observations systems and data in the Arctic, essential indicators of change, how an integrated Arctic observing system of system can be made operational and be sustainably funded, as well as giving examples of use cases and future needs towards establishing an operational system supporting the 2030 agenda and preparing for the next International Polar Year (IPY2032-3033). Talks can come from representatives of research funding organisations (RFOs), industry actors, environmental agencies, earth observation programmes and research communities involved in Arctic monitoring and assessments, earth system modelling and the development of digital twins.

CONVENERS:

• Jon Børre Ørbæk, Research Council of Norway

 

# 2.6.  Back to the future II - linking past and future IPY terrestrial biodiversity efforts 

The aim of this session is to reflect on urgent questions we would like to answer during the 5th IPY, what results and data are existing from previous efforts and how to link those to new measurements during the 5th IPY and beyond. This session will therefore serve to recap current knowledge and data and reflect on how to move towards measurement standards and protocols that can be applied by taxonomic and non-taxonomic specialists to secure long-term records of terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Reporting on existing results of past efforts and reflecting on gaps and future sampling needs, methods across biological organization and scales and designs are especially welcome. We invite everybody interested in the coordination of IPY terrestrial microbial, bryophyte, lichen, and vascular plant diversity assessments and synthesis to submit contributions, and to start coordination of these efforts, across disciplines and knowledge systems.

CONVENERS:

• Gabriela Schaepman-Strub, Dept. of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich
• Amy Breen, University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

 # 2.7.  Co-Developing an Arctic Roadmap for Observing and Data Systems 

Addressing systemic challenges in Arctic data collection and sharing capabilities calls for coordinated and equitable approaches, leveraging capabilities across scales from local to global. Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks initiated the Arctic Roadmap for Observing and Data Systems (Arctic ROADS) to facilitate coordinated planning across multiple ‘centers of action’; it outlined a four-phase planning process and identified guiding principles and useful tools to support planning. Arctic ROADS is rooted in concepts like equitable engagement of Arctic Indigenous peoples and generating broadly shared benefits. This session invites contributions from those piloting the Arctic ROADS process to share their progress and experiences, as well as those with useful concepts, tools and reflections to contribute to the growing Arctic ROADS concept.

CONVENERS:

• Sandy Starkweather, University of Colorado - CIRES/NOAA
• Heikki Lihavainen, Svalbard Integrated Observing System
• Daniel Lyberth Hauptman, Arctic Hub in Greenland

 

 # 2.8.  Building a time machine out of a Delorean: Observing, reconstructing, and predicting vegetation change in the Arctic 

Arctic landscapes are rapidly changing due to factors such as climate alterations, accelerated nutrient cycling, and increased disturbances like wildfires and resource development. These changes drive shifts in vegetation composition and function, serving as key indicators of broader transformations in topography, hydrology, and permafrost.

The Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Science Initiative (CAVSI) is proposed for ICARP IV to establish a framework for classifying, mapping, and monitoring Arctic vegetation. It aims to create a network of sites with permanent plots representing diverse Arctic conditions, using standardized methods for vegetation surveys and data management. This initiative builds on existing monitoring sites in northern Alaska and could be integrated into U.S. and international Arctic observing networks. Alternatively, the community may identify a need to establish a novel Arctic Vegetation Observatory Network.

The session will highlight recent advances in Arctic vegetation classification and monitoring, particularly as we look ahead to the 5th International Polar Year (2032–2033), with the goal of implementing CAVSI based on lessons learned from other networks and putting forth a framework that aligns with the research priorities identified by ICARP IV. We also invite studies on the impacts of vegetation change on processes such as hydrology, permafrost degradation, and carbon balance. We welcome diverse research approaches to monitor vegetation across temporal and spatial scales, including field surveys, remote sensing, and Earth system models, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of Arctic ecosystems

CONVENERS:

• Donald Walker, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
• Gabriela Schaepman-Strub, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Switzerland
• Amy Breen, University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

# 2.9.  Meteorology, Environmental and Livelihood Impacts of Arctic Rain-on-Snow Events 

When rain falls on an existing cover of snow, followed by low temperatures, or falls as freezing rain, it can leave a hard crust. These Arctic rain-on-snow (ROS) events can profoundly influence the environment and in turn, human livelihoods. Impacts can be immediate (e.g. on human travel, herding, or harvesting) or evolve or accumulate, leading to massive starvation-induced die-offs of reindeer, caribou, and musk oxen, for example.  Much remains to be learned about the meteorological conditions leading to ROS events and subsequent freezing, including links with the atmospheric circulation at the scale of planetary waves to the mesoscale to the local scale, their frequent association with atmospheric rivers, the distribution of events across the Arctic landscape and ocean, and whether events are becoming more common or severe in the warming climate.  In turn, obtaining knowledge and information most germane to impacts, such as the thickness of ice layers, how ice layers form within a snowpack, and antecedent conditions that can amplify impacts, necessitates collaboration and knowledge co-production with community members and Indigenous knowledge-holders.  This session invites contributions on all aspects of rain-on-snow events, and especially those that bridge different types of observations and ways of knowing to understand environmental and livelihood impacts.

CONVENERS:

• Mark Serreze, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado Boulder
• Andrew Barrett, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado Boulder
• Alex Crawford, University of Manitoba

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 3. Understanding the dynamics and resilience of Arctic social-ecological systems to foster sustainable futures

 

# 3.1.  Arctic Marine Research Agendas: Who writes the Saga?

Arctic Scenario analysis frequently categorizes outcomes into four quadrants – along two axes: governance, and resources and trade. Of the four categories, Arctic Saga, Arctic Race, Polar Preserve, and Polar Lows, the first three reflect outcomes that favor different Arctic scales of interests, while Polar Lows is considered undesirable by most if not all stakeholders and rightsholders as providing neither local stability and quality of life nor global extractive benefits. Who’s “in” and who’s “out” in Arctic planning is a longstanding issue affecting within the marine realm, for example, Svalbard’s identity, the Arctic Council structure and its Working Groups (ie CAFF, PAME), the Polar Silk Road, and the Central Arctic Ocean fisheries policy. The challenge also impacts research agendas. In this multidisciplinary session, we discuss how agenda-setting in Arctic research priorities and funding strategies can affect these outcomes, with a particular focus on the role of academic research driven by actors not directly living or working in Arctic states. We anticipate differences in impact from the natural sciences and social sciences that stem from (1) scale of engagement in Arctic communities and environmental changes from local to global; (2) experience and expectations for transdisciplinary research and/or Indigenous engagement and inclusion needs, including longer research timelines and more diverse research outlets and forms; and (3) funding structures that limit such diversity as well as cross-scale research, amongst other distinctions along disciplinary lines. We illustrate with some background analysis of research communities in non-Arctic states, e.g. France, S. Korea, Japan and the UK. 

CONVENERS:

• Melina Kourantidou, University of Western Brittany/University of Southern Denmark
• Brooks Kaiser, University of Southern Denmark

 

# 3.2.  Gender, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Polar Research: Where do we stand, and what's next in the ICARP IV and IPY 5 planning process? 

This session and roundtable will revise recent and ongoing activities related to gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion in polar research. We have come a long way discussing research labor conditions, implementing diversity and equity in the scientific community and in capacity building for future generations. These topics require further debate: how can they be incorporated and reflected in future research priorities? How can they be included in research funding frameworks? How do they tie into research policy making? We invite participants to reflect on research practices, research policies, and research agendas. We hope for the participation of Indigenous and local actors, early-career research organisations, queer activists in Polar research, IASC and SCAR working groups and committees, research funding agencies, polar research policy actors – beyond that, everyone interested is welcome! The aim of the session is to formulate input into ICARP IV and the International Polar Year 2032-33. 

CONVENERS:

• Tahnee Prior, Dalhousie University
• Malgorzata Smieszek-Rice, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

 

# 3.3.  Should I Stay or Should I Go: Community Relocation, Adapting in Place, and Migration in the North 

Climate change is a slow-moving disaster. In the North, coastal predominately indigenous communities are experiencing climate impacts, including thawing permafrost leading to coastal land loss and disappearance of lakes, extreme storms causing land loss and coastal inundation, and declining sea ice leading to unsafe traveling and hunting conditions. One response to these challenges is to relocate the entire community, which is problematic. Complete relocation to a new location means learning about new hunting, fishing, and gathering areas, distancing the community and culture from ancestral homelands. Relocation is also prohibitively expensive. Alternatively, communities may choose to adapt in place, slowly moving to safer ground close by as funding becomes available. Coupled social and economic factors may also influence individuals and families to consider moving to urban centers. Compounding climate impacts may provide a tipping point that spurs migration. Research on Northern out-migration and relocation has been minimal, even for the most threatened communities. This session examines the drivers and processes of relocation, adapting in place, and the compounding factors influencing migration. It will also examine aspects of environmental justice in how federal and state resources for these remote, predominately Alaska Native rural communities, are not always equitably distributed. Finally, it also calls for stories and narratives of the experiences of people in the North dealing with these choices.

CONVENERS:

• Davin Holen, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Guangqing Chi, Pennsylvania State University

 

# 3.4.  Arctic One Health 

Climate and environmental change influence human life, wildlife, and ecosystems in the Arctic in various ways. One Health is an approach that recognises that human health is closely related to the health of animals and the environment. This is particularly true in the Arctic where a community's well-being relies on healthy animals and the environment. Human health is more than the absence of disease; it encompasses physical, mental, behavioural, cultural, and spiritual health.

Megatrends such as globalization, digitalization, migration, urbanization, demographic changes, and the growing role of the service sector including mass tourism have a major economic and environmental impact in Arctic rural and urban areas. These megatrends lead to challenges and threats, which may influence the lives of the people living in these regions. There is a need for local and Indigenous Peoples to be better involved in environmental related decision-making. Amongst these global changes, there are also new opportunities for local people to take part in decision-making.

European Commission funded ILLUQ, ICEBERG and ArcSolution projects are working in this field and facilitate participatory deliberative processes in collaboration with the local, coastal, and Indigenous People of the Arctic. The cluster aims to co-create equal ways and means for knowledge co-creation and democratic participation in environmental decision-making.

CONVENERS:

• Arja Rautio, University of Oulu
• Janne Näkkäläjärvi, Sámi Education Institute
• Mervi Heikkinen, University of Oulu

 

# 3.5.  Two-eyed seeing & science in service to society: bridging the divide between what earth system models produce and what Arctic communities find useful 

As the Arctic continues to experience rapid climate change, Arctic communities are navigating these climatic changes along with social, economical, and geopolitical changes and with knowledge systems different from the western scientists who produce and run climate models.

Climate model simulations represent different possible earth system states given the specified external forcings, and information from these models can help tell us about possible future climates. Humans, however, do not tend to experience “climate change” on the large geographic and temporal scales represented in climate models so much as through conditions that are considered extreme on human scales. Some extreme conditions may coincide with geophysical statistical extremes such as typhoons, heat waves, or flooding. Other extreme conditions, however, may be due to longer-term yet extreme system-wide changes (e.g. diminishing spring sea ice in the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Chukchi Sea areas along with extreme changes in access to traditional foods), or extreme events compounded by longer-term dramatic changes (e.g. strong storms coinciding with permafrost thaw and sea ice decrease and thus leading to extreme coastal erosion).

This session aims to explore methods to better integrate information from earth system models with information from traditional ecological knowledge to better inform adaptive measures in the rapidly changing Arctic environment. This encompasses topics on downscaling of simulated environmental conditions for local applications, perspectives on informing model developments with Indigenous knowledge, and information on the process of working together across different knowledge systems.

CONVENERS:

• Laura Landrum, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
• Andy Newman, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
• Kaare Erickson, Ikaagun Engagement

 

 # 3.6.  Challenges of Urban Development in the Arctic 

This session will examine the challenges of urban development in northern conditions. The various papers will examine issues related to the built urban environment, including housing, the energy transition away from fossil fuels, and other infrastructure issues. The speakers will examine issues of justice in terms of historical and current developments. The examples will include material from North America and northern Europe.

CONVENERS:

• Robert Orttung, George Washington University
• James Powell, University of Alaska Southeast
• Meghan Holtan, University at Buffalo

 

 # 3.7.  Sustainable and Responsible Scientific Practices for the Protection and Preservation of the Arctic Environment 

The Arctic is one of the most vulnerable regions on our planet, facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change and human activity. As scientific interest in the Arctic intensifies, it becomes crucial to ensure that fieldwork conducted in this fragile environment adheres to the highest standards of environmental protection and ethical responsibility. This session aims to explore the development of sustainable and ethical scientific fieldwork practices that prioritize the preservation of the Arctic.

We plan to discuss strategies for minimizing the footprint of research activities using environmental science, indigenous knowledge, and fieldwork ethics. Discussion topics will include an overview of the latest guidelines and best practices for conducting research in the Arctic, recommendations to implement impact assessments of scientific expeditions/fieldwork, innovative technologies, waste management protocols, and the importance of obtaining informed consent from Indigenous communities. The session will also highlight case studies of successful collaborations between scientists and local populations, showcasing how indigenous knowledge and scientific methods can be braided to achieve more comprehensive and respectful research outcomes. We hope to learn from case studies in the Antarctic and other remote regions that have successfully implemented innovative sustainable measures. 

CONVENERS:

• Amy Macfarlane, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
• Maddison Smith, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Elaine Runge, Danish Hydrological Institute

 

 # 3.8.  Society and Advanced Technology in the Arctic (SATA): Understanding the interplay between Arctic environments and societies for sustainable development 

This session will draw papers from graduate students, including indigenous, from the Society and Advanced Technology in the Arctic (SATA) 2.1 MA/PhD course with partners from Norway, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, South Africa, South Korea and the US (funded by the UTFORSK program of the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills). Other participants may join self-funded, and particularly the interuniversity Observatory on Space Diplomacy (Italy) interested in techno-science cooperation in space activities for the Poles.

SATA and partners train graduate students in transdisciplinary work combining fundamental research across disciplines with strategic questions for Arctic societies. SATA emphasizes thinking across fundamental Arctic social sciences and humanities as well as STEM disciplines. SATA graduate students collaborate across disciplines and borders building skills and networks for the future.

SATA and partners graduate student engage with the Arctic research planning process with a special focus on RPT 3 and understanding the interplay between Arctic environments and societies for sustainable development. This SATA session will challenge graduate students to think through Arctic research planning questions.

The SATA panel is also relevant for other RPTs as the Arctic in global systems, climate observation, research cooperation and science diplomacy, Indigenous-led and coproduction, capacity building, and infrastructure.

SATA graduate student activities during 2024 and 2025 point towards the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, late 2025. SATA and partner graduate students develop transdisciplinary reflections and research combining fundamental research and strategic applications on the interplay between Arctic environments and societies for sustainable development. 

CONVENERS:

• Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen, UiT The Arctic University of Norway 
• David Burigana, University of Padua
• Federica Scarpa, University of Finland

 

# 3.9.  Forging Future Agenda for Arctic Sustainability Research 

This session will gather a diverse group of scholars to discuss the current developments and future agenda in Arctic sustainability research. An increasing volume of sustainability scholarship in the decade since ICARP III that addresses a variety of challenges from local community resilience to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals indicates continuing interest to and a rapid growth of the Arctic sustainability science. In the last several years major developments have happened in respect to ontological, epistemological, methodological and practical approaches to sustainability in the Arctic. They added new conceptualizations and visions of sustainability, as well as elevated the Indigenous perspectives on sustainability and knowledge co-production methodologies as central pillars of sustainability research. This session will contribute to the ICARP IV process by considering key accomplishments, knowledge gaps and future directions of Arctic sustainability research.

CONVENERS:

• Andrey N Petrov, ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa

 

# 3.10.  Arctic Riverine Systems and Communities: Changes, Adaptations, and Future Research Priorities 

Many Arctic communities are located along the rivers. Rivers play a major role in supporting the Indigenous livelihoods in the Arctic throughout the millennia and enable transportation, commercial activity, and subsistence practices today. In recent decades, Arctic rivers and their basins have experienced dramatic changes with respect to hydroclimatic regimes, biological diversity, environmental conditions, and industrial development. Although significant efforts have been lately devoted to highlighting, understanding, and addressing multiple challenges faced by coastal Arctic communities, riverine social-ecological systems (SES), specifically, received relatively limited attention. This Session will gather papers focused on riverine Arctic SES and communities to elicit state-of-the-art knowledge about key changes and challenges and identify research priorities within the context of the ICARP IV process.

The Session is organized by the Project "Socio-Ecological Systems Transformation in River basins of the sub-Arctic under climate change" (SESTRA).

CONVENERS:

• Alexander Shiklomanov, University of New Hampshire
• Andrey N. Petrov, ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa
• Marya Rozanova-Smith, The George Washington University

 

 # 3.11.  Arctic Disaster Risk Reduction 

To improve Arctic Disaster Risk Reduction (ADRR), trans disciplinary approaches are needed to facilitate greater cooperation, communication and exchange among pan Arctic researchers and practitioners to mitigate all hazards, especially with small, remote communities. Our session aims to emphasize assistance to regional and local decision-makers through the sharing and facilitation of applied research, best practices, research gaps, and greater inter-operability through improved networking, such as joint exercises, workshops, radio programs, virtual communications, and interactive websites. Importantly, we seek examples of facilitating knowledge, like an ecosystem map, for timely, friendly, and accessible information about hazard sciences in Arctic environments for operational applications. We emphasize studies about Knowledge Systems, i.e., traditional ecological and/or local, that include emerging risks from environmental changes, increased maritime traffic, and/or expanding economic development to build capacity for ADRR in small, remote communities and contributions to UNDRR, the Sendai Framework 2015, and/or for EPPR missions of the Arctic Council. The participants for our session can include researchers who apply Arctic science about DRR, Risk and Emergency Management Offices, Coast Guard, Search and Rescue, regional jurisdictions, community organizations, and/or corporations throughout the Arctic, etc. Expect updates about an Arctic Risk Management Network (ARMNet) as a trans disciplinary hub to facilitate research to practice, sponsored by the US Embassy in Ottawa CA, with a 2015 feasibility study, and plans for a NSF Research Coordinator Network to emphasize rapid risks and applied innovations in partnership with small, remote communities. ADRR research to practice examples and participation in ARMNet are welcomed.

CONVENERS:

• Anne Garland, Applied Research in Environmental Sciences Nonprofit, Inc.
• Elise D. Miller Hooks, George Mason University

 

# 3.12.  Arctic Coastal Systems: update of research outcomes and planning for the next decade 

The significant environmental changes and social challenges of the Arctic coastal systems are well recognized by the society; they are also experienced and coped with by coastal communities in their daily lives. Many convergent research projects on these topics have been carried out. There is a need to share their research outcomes with each other and with stakeholders and rightsholders (including local community residents and local, regional, state, and federal governments), so that results can lead to outcomes and impacts well-beyond the individual projects. It is also critical for researchers, Indigenous community members, and government officials from diverse sectors and regions to strengthen and expand partnerships and to learn from one another, so that community- and science-based actionable solutions can be co-developed and implemented. This session provides a platform for international researchers to provide the most recent research outcomes and for stakeholders to develop strategic research plans that better serve Arctic coastal communities’ needs in the next decade. The session is expected to attract international arctic coastal researchers, Arctic coastal community residents, and government officials.

CONVENERS:

• Ming Xiao, Pennsylvania State University
• Benjamin Jones, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Nora Nieminski, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys

 

# 3.13.  Advancing Gender Equality in the Arctic: Challenges and Strategies for Community Resilience

Advancing gender equality in the Arctic is a critical topic and one of the important priorities for Arctic social research and Arctic community resilience planning. Recent gender studies, such as the Gender Equality in the Arctic Report, indicate that inequality persists across the Arctic regions and all spheres of engagement. Additionally, gender equality has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating effect on both urban and rural communities across the Arctic, making it critical to understand existing vulnerabilities and gendered issues in supporting community resilience and sustainable development. The Session places special emphasis on Arctic Indigenous communities.

We invite researchers, especially Indigenous scholars and knowledge-holders, and practitioners to discuss ways to address persistent gender inequalities, strategies for gender empowerment in governance, economies, and social realities, and Arctic community resilience planning through a gender lens.

The Session is organized by the Project "Understanding the Gendered Impacts of COVID-19 in the Arctic" (COVID-GEA), the ARCTICenter, UNI, the Project "Measuring Urban Sustainability in Transition" (MUST), and Project "Socio-Ecological Systems Transformation in River basins of the sub-Arctic under climate change" (SESTRA).

CONVENERS:

• Marya Rozanova-Smith, The George Washington University
• Andrey N. Petrov, ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa
• Stacey Lucason,Kawerak, Inc.

 

 # 3.14.  Informing future convergence research in the Arctic: Lessons-learned from the Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) Program 

Since 2017, the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) program has advanced convergence research across the Arctic. This highly collaborative research draws from diverse disciplines and knowledge systems to solve complex societal challenges. NNA represents the U.S.’s largest ever Arctic investment in knowledge co-production, demonstrating innovative and transformative approaches to address a wide-range of issues and climate challenges intertwined within natural and social systems, as well as the built environment. The initiative has also prompted extensive critical feedback from Arctic Indigenous Peoples regarding long-standing inequalities and problematic research practices that span the full spectrum of research activities, including how research is designed, funded, implemented, and communicated with Arctic communities and Tribes. This feedback prompted reflection and furthered discussions that contributed to changes in policy, and provides a roadmap for more equitable and meaningful research. The NNA research community is made up of over 100 projects, each with its own network of partners and at different stages of completion. Some NNA projects have finished and others are ongoing, adapting and refining their practices toward generating actionable and equitable outcomes. Now is a critical time for the lessons and outcomes from the NNA program to be shared with the international research community, policymakers, funders and project partners. This session invites abstracts from diverse perspectives, knowledge systems and career stages that will share lessons-learned and outcomes from NNA research to help shape future Arctic research priorities and approaches.

CONVENERS:

• Matthew Druckenmiller, University of Colorado Boulder
• Nikoosh Carlo, CNC North Consulting
• Louise Mercer, Northumbria University, UK

 

 # 3.15.  Collaborative Infrastructures: Digital tools for prioritizing community goals in infrastructure planning, development and maintenance 

How do communities define priorities for local infrastructure? How do communities work toward positive infrastructure futures? How can digital collaborative spaces enable just and equitable infrastructure futures? Arctic infrastructure is a focus of attention for policy makers, businesses, scientists and Indigenous communities as it experiences unprecedented changes caused by climate change and societal transformations. While shortening ice seasons open up opportunities for maritime transportation and resource exploration, many local and Indigenous communities face issues of aging and insufficient infrastructure, highlighting the need for infrastructures that better serve local needs and address climate challenges and colonial legacies. This session will centralize questions of co-producing infrastructure futures with Arctic communities: What are good practices of community engagement in infrastructure research? What are strategies for participatory and community-led development planning processes? Numerous digital databases and networks have worked to connect researchers to communities (arctichub.gl, isaaffik.org), to make existing research and guidelines accessible (BAID barrowmapped.org, ARCUS “Conducting Research With Northern Communities”), and facilitate awareness of Arctic Peoples’ priorities and values (NNA-CO CAP Portal). How can digital spaces direct research questions, funding, and collaborations, by sharing community priorities with researchers and across regions? We invite all those who make decisions, are affected by, or otherwise engage with infrastructure envisioning, planning, maintenance and development, to share their experiences. We invite discussion of infrastructures of all kinds, and particularly those who are creating or using digital collaborative databases or networks.

CONVENERS:

• Hannah Bradley, University of Virginia
• Alyssa Pantaleo, NREL
• Vera Kuklina, George Washington University

 

# 3.16.  Indigenizing Arctic Economics to Attain a Sustainable Future 

Integrating sustainability into Arctic economic development is an important task to attain prosperous futures for Arctic communities. Indigenous communities in the Arctic have long practiced sustainable economic models, relying on a harmonious connection between humans and the natural world. Our session will address effective policies for Indigenous economies, explore new economic institutions, and discuss the role of Indigenous knowledge and culture in economic development. Contributions from diverse Arctic regions and communities, especially from Indigenous and early-career scholars, are welcome. We encourage presentations on successful experiences and diverse economic models across the Northern Hemisphere. The session will be dedicated to exploring Indigenous Arctic economies in the Arctic, both subsistence and commercial. The following questions will be addressed: 1. What policies and design principles support the development of Indigenous economies? 2. What new Indigenous economic institutions have emerged and what are their defining characteristics? 3. How does Indigenous knowledge and culture contribute to the development of Indigenous economies? 4. How can we preserve unique Indigenous culture in the market context? Results of the session will contribute to the ICARP IV planning process. 

CONVENERS:

• Victoria N. Sharakhmatova, ARCTICenter, Department of Geography, University of Northern Iowa
• Varvara Korkina Williams, Institute of Arctic Studies, Dartmouth College
• Andrey N. Petrov, Professor and Director ARCTICenter, Department of Geography, University of Northern Iowa

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4. Arctic Research Cooperation and Diplomacy

 

# 4.1.  Actor Scoping: Aims and Objectives of Arctic Research Cooperation & Diplomacy 

Research cooperation and science diplomacy have a long and dynamic history in the Arctic. For the most part, this cooperation has been based upon the need to work on shared challenges across various epistemological and practical divides. The focus in the Arctic has been on a variety of topics, from environmental protection to sovereignty, as well as human rights through the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) perspectives in decision-making processes. However, it is often difficult for all actors to agree on a path ahead making win-win scenarios difficult to achieve. Thus, research cooperation and science diplomacy help stake- and right-holders build methodologies and outcomes that meet shared goals. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent condemnation of Russia's actions, there have been diverging approaches to Arctic research cooperation and science diplomacy across the Arctic states, institutions, and communities. Further, the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in decision-making and awareness of the roles of IPs is constantly evolving. This means that Arctic research cooperation and diplomacy is in a state of normative transition and, as a result, it is important to reassess and articulate the aims and objectives of Arctic research cooperation and its role in diplomacy moving forward.

This session aims to inform the work of ICARP Research Priority Team 4: Arctic Research Cooperation and Diplomacy (RPT4). It will build on and share insights from previous discussions and engagement – in particular, a community-inclusive scoping exercise undertaken by RTP4 at the Arctic Circle Assembly (ACA) to understand who the main actors and stakeholders are in Arctic research cooperation. This session aims to include and seek the input of a variety of actors such as youth, business, researchers, IPs, and other key stake- and right-holders to understand why Arctic research cooperation and diplomacy is important and for whom. In this session, RPT4 will present the results of the scoping exercise at the ACA and other engagements, encourage discussion to further articulate the current and future aims and objectives of Arctic research cooperation, and explore what additional information and/or discussions may be needed to further develop the finding and recommendations of ICARP IV.

CONVENERS:

• Michaela Louise Coote, University of Galway
• Charlotte Gehrke, Nord University
• Christine Barnard, ArcticNet

 

# 4.2.  International Arctic science collaborations: ISIRA case study as IASC’s platform for dialogue 

The International Science Initiative in the Russian Arctic (ISIRA) is a Russian and international cooperative initiative to assist Arctic science and sustainable development in the Russian Arctic, and is the advisory group within the structure of IASC. Today, the international architecture of science collaborations has alterated due to the extensive changes in the geopolitical environment. As the IASC's platform for communication ISIRA can play an important role to sustain and maintain the scientific dialogue. We aim to discuss the opportunities and possible solutions for present situation, and invite comments, existing examples and visions from different countries involved in the Arctic research especially in the light of the upcoming IPY 2032-33. 

CONVENERS:

• Yulia Zaika, Kola Science Centre RAS & ISIRA of IASC
• Yoshihiro Iijima, Tokyo Metropolitan University
• Gareth Rees, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge

 

# 4.3.  National Arctic Programs - Cooperation for a Sustainable Arctic Research 

Arctic research typically involves scientists, policymakers, other stakeholders from various countries, Arctic residents and Indigenous rights-holders pooling their resources, expertise, and infrastructure to address pressing issues related to climate change, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development in the Arctic. These programs often focus on interdisciplinary approaches, integrating Indigenous knowledge and traditional scholarship from fields such as environmental science, climatology, oceanography, biology, and anthropology.

National Arctic programs often involve partnerships between government agencies, research institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Indigenous organizations. They may also leverage international platforms such as the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum for Arctic states and Indigenous Peoples, to develop and coordinate research efforts and implement policy recommendations. These programs play a vital role in advancing scientific knowledge, informing policy decisions, and promoting sustainability of the Arctic, ultimately contributing to the long-term health and well-being of Arctic people, the changing Arctic region and the planet as a whole.

The challenges of Arctic research include remote locations, limited infrastructure, data collection and sharing issues, interdisciplinary collaboration, socio-economic and cultural complexities, and impacts of climate change. Nevertheless, international cooperation and engagement with Indigenous Peoples is essential for the success of Arctic research. The present session invites papers from different nations, NGOs, and Indigenous Organizations on the challenges they face in conducting research in the Arctic and the opportunities for collaborations to overcome these challenges.

CONVENERS:

• Manish Tiwari, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
• Rohit Srivastava, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
• David Hik, Polar Knowledge Canada

 

# 4.4.  Knowledge as a Catalyst: Future Pathways in Greenland's Research Environment 

As the Arctic region garners increasing global interest, Greenland stands at a pivotal moment with its new research strategy charting the course for the future. This session at Arctic Science Summit Week 2025 will delve into Greenland's National Research Strategy 2022-2030, exploring how it serves as a framework for advancing Arctic research, fostering sustainable development, and enhancing international collaboration. The session invites key stakeholders including policymakers, experts, and research community members to discuss the solutions provided by the research community and how the strategy’s four main goals align with and contribute to ICARP IV's objectives.

Key topics will include:

1. Anchoring Research in Greenland: Emphasizing the integration of local knowledge and expertise in Arctic research.
2. Supporting Sustainable Social Development: Highlighting the role of research in the economic, social, and cultural growth of Arctic communities.
3. Ensuring Accessibility of Research Results: Promoting transparent and accessible dissemination of research findings to all stakeholders.
4. Fostering International Collaboration: Building and strengthening global partnerships to address Arctic challenges.

Confirmed speakers include representatives from Arctic Hub and the Government of Greenland, who will provide insights into ongoing initiatives and future directions. The session will invite key stakeholders to feature practical examples of tested solutions.

This comprehensive discussion aims to bridge the gap between Greenland's research strategy and ICARP IV’s goals, ensuring that the research not only advances scientific understanding and predictive capabilities of Arctic systems but also provides actionable insights for both Arctic residents and global communities.

CONVENERS:

• Jula Maegaard-Hoffmann, Arctic Hub
• Kunuk Holm, Government of Greenland

 

 # 4.5.  Tools for Arctic Research Cooperation and Diplomacy: Prospects for the 5th International Polar Year 

This panel, within the context of Arctic Research Planning for the Next Decade, including the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP-IV) Summit, seeks to identify the means, frameworks, and mechanisms available that can be utilized to facilitate effective Arctic research cooperation and science diplomacy among Arctic and non-Arctic actors (e.g. governments, rightsholders, researchers, NGOs, etc.). Given the current geopolitical challenges, rapid climate and Earth system changes, evolving dynamics of Arctic governance, and existing barriers to cooperation, this session will explore innovative solutions and strategies.

Convened by a sub-theme group of the Research Priority Team (RPT)-4 on Arctic Research Cooperation and Diplomacy, this session will also look beyond the status quo to the opportunities provided by the 5th International Polar Year (IPY) in 2032-2033, emphasizing its global relevance and transdisciplinary dimensions. IPY-5 is an opportunity to enhance international Arctic cooperation, particularly in the scope of pan-Arctic scientific endeavors.

Our panel aims to identify “tools” that can enhance research cooperation and sustain the diplomatic role of research in maintaining the Arctic region as a peaceful and collaborative space. We invite Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers from various disciplines, policymakers, early career researchers (ECRs), and other interested individuals to join us for a productive discussion. The goal is to pave the way for a collaborative and respectful approach to Arctic research and science diplomacy, looking at Arctic policies of the Arctic states and Non-Arctic states as well as Indigenous perspectives, ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders are upheld in this unique and rapidly changing environment.

Panelists of this session will reflect on the following questions:

• What are the barriers to Arctic research cooperation and science diplomacy, as well as potential enabling factors for Arctic research cooperation and diplomacy today?
• What kinds of existing “tools” effectively enhance international scientific cooperation in the Arctic, how well are they functioning, and how can they be best utilized?
• What diplomatic “tools” are available to enhance research cooperation and prevent conflicts in the Arctic?
• What legal frameworks harmonize national interests and sovereignty with science cooperation across borders, contributing to a more sustainable Arctic?
• How might we best leverage IPY 5 to advance research cooperation and diplomacy in the Arctic? 

CONVENERS:

• Zia Madani, Co-lead UArctic Next-Generation Science Diplomat Committee
• Hajime Kimura, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
• Jihoon Jeong, Korean Polar Research Institute

 

# 4.6.  Arctic research with more perspectives and wider impacts: Aligning Asian and Arctic initiatives with shared visions 

Last decade has seen far greater attention paid to the Arctic than ever before in the history. This has to do with the melt down of the Arctic and thus enhanced accessibility, which led to possible and actual engagement of stakeholders outside the Arctic. Observers’ research capacities especially from Asia are significant, apart from the enthusiasm that is also partly fueled by potential economic opportunities. The notion that science should form the basis both for environmental conservation and sustainable development is apparent in documented Arctic policies of Asian observer states, and this is evidenced by scientific investments and commitments. It will be remiss not to utilize these capabilities that can help to better understand the unprecedented high pace changes in the Arctic impacting the whole globe. Mapping Asian research capacities in spatial domains and by disciplines is warranted and will aid the analysis of the knowledge gaps that can be filled, the societal benefits to be gained and decreased risks. This session will also reflect upon the best way of coordination and cooperation to achieve it and examine outstanding challenges associated and future tasks. Partnerships needed, also with local and Indigenous communities, will be one of the foci of the consideration with some suggestions forwarded.

CONVENERS:

• Hyoung Chul Shin, Korea Polar Research Institute
• Matthew Druckenmiller, University of Colorado Boulder

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5. Co-Production and Indigenous-led methodologies

 

# 5.1.  Igniting Perspectives on Extractive Research and Reciprocity in the Arctic through lenses of visual artists and researchers 

Convergence research is being increasingly seen as crucial to solve complex problems such as climate driven environmental changes. This emerging area of research takes us to the intersection of different fields we have never seen merged before which includes art and science. It amplifies the race to the Arctic. While collaborative projects, such as those in art, journalism, filmmaking, etc., can be valuable in specific contexts, there is a risk when convergence lacks clarity and is employed solely for gaining access. The intersection of art and science is a priority to accelerate progress in Arctic research by questioning and creating new ways of communication. This session will bring together diverse perspectives from the fields of visual art and science to discuss convergence research in the Arctic through the sharing of experience, research, and artwork. 

CONVENERS:

• Johanna Case-Hofmeister, Northern New Mexico College / Independent Artist
• Louise Mercer, Northumbria University

 

 # 5.2.  Beyond Appropriation and Co-optation: What role of non-Indigenous scholars for creating inclusive spaces in Decolonial Arctic Research?

Co-production of knowledge and Indigenous-led methodologies have become a high priority on the Arctic research agenda as a means to alleviate and avoid reproducing the historical and ongoing violence of colonial practices on Indigenous communities. This session aims to create a discussion on the role of non-Indigenous scholars in Arctic research through a decolonial lens. It addresses the need for creating inclusive research spaces that respect and elevate Indigenous knowledge systems. While social sciences focused on “Arctic governance” (e.g. political science, international relations, and international legal studies) have had internal discussions about the need to find alternative non-colonial and non-hierarchical ways of producing knowledge, these conversations are yet to happen in meaningful way in relation to Arctic-wide research. By examining the dynamics of knowledge production, the session aims to question how to avoid appropriation and co-optation of Indigenous knowledge in Arctic research. As a result, this session will seek to chart a decolonial Arctic governance research approach for the next decade.

This session invites contributions on the following topics:

• Decolonial approaches to Arctic governance studies
• Inclusive research practices
• Non-appropriation of Indigenous methodologies in Arctic governance studies
• Knowledge production of Arctic governance studies

CONVENERS:

• Romain Chuffart, University of Akureyri
• Gabriella Gricius, Colorado State University

 

# 5.3.  Bridging Worlds: The Power of Knowledge Co-Production 

This session explores the transformative potential of knowledge co-production, emphasizing Indigenous-led methodologies as a means to foster inclusive and impactful research. As contemporary challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and Arctic tipping points demand holistic solutions, integrating Indigenous knowledge systems with scientific approaches becomes increasingly crucial. This session aims to highlight the principles, practices, and benefits of co-producing knowledge by and with Indigenous communities, Indigenous academia, and Indigenous knowledge holders. Knowledge co-production in this sense ensures that their perspectives and expertise lead research processes in the Arctic which are ethically responsive to the Indigenous knowledge systems. The session is part of the global GEF-UNEP Reindeer Herding and Resilience project and is based on the EU-PolarNet II Workshop recommendations.

CONVENERS:

• Marina Tonkopeeva, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR)
• Anders Oskal, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR)
• Ravdna BME Sara, Sámi University of Applied Sciences

 

# 5.4.  Approaches and Benefits to Research Coordination 

This session examines how multiple research projects can coordinate their efforts in Arctic communities for the purpose of reducing burdens on community members and increasing the efficiency and impact of research projects. We invite proposals from a wide range of researchers who are working in tandem across multiple research projects or who are interested in discussing methodologies for better researching effective coordination practices. We hope to discuss specific examples that highlight the interface with traditional culture, subsistence, and sustainability. We will discuss gaps in the existing literature on the science of coordinating team science and opportunities for research and community collaboration.   

CONVENERS:

• James Powell, University of Alaska Southeast
• Robert Orttung, George Washington University
• Laura Landrum, National Center for Atmospheric Research
• Sean Asikłuk Topkok, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Stacey Lucason, Kawerak Inc. 

 

# 5.5.  Strategies for centering Indigenous voices in Arctic community-led research and co-production of knowledge: lessons for early career researchers 

Given the history of extractive research in the Arctic globally, Indigenous researchers and communities are calling for greater involvement in research, often in the form of community-led research, co-production of knowledge, and/or community-based monitoring. Early career researchers are involved in this type of research and are excellently positioned to be positive agents of change. At the same time, expectations for early career researchers to ‘produce’ on short timelines early in their careers can pose additional challenges to building long-term, respectful, and intentional relationships with communities they are working with in the near-term.

We welcome abstracts for talks from researchers, Indigenous scholars, Arctic community members in all stages of their careers involved in community-led research to share their work, including lessons, stories, and strategies for successful capacity sharing. We encourage abstracts with an emphasis on how early career researchers working to center Indigenous voices in their research can do so effectively. Stories of successes and failures are welcomed, and we intend to create a space for shared learning and reflection. Early career Indigenous researchers are especially encouraged to submit.

This session will be structured to create space for knowledge exchange, capacity sharing, and participation. We will begin the session with a series of talks, and the remaining time will be dedicated to a round table discussion between the panelists and an opportunity to hear from and engage with audience-members.

CONVENERS:

• Mariama Dryák-Vallies, Polar Science Early Career Community Office
• Natasha Haycock-Chavez, Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA)/NSIDC
• Jenna Vater, Navigating the New Arctic Community Office

 

 # 5.6.  Combining Indigenous and other local knowledges with environmental modeling to promote resilient Arctic communities 

Climate change is impacting northern Indigenous communities in many ways through cascading, compounding, and counteracting climatic, hydrologic, and ecologic effects. Numerical models of environmental systems (e.g., climate, Earth System, hydrologic models, etc.) are key tools to evaluate historical conditions and project future change. Especially when paired with Indigenous and/or local knowledge about an environment, model output can be a valuable climate service that has the potential to inform climate adaptation plans to support community resilience. This session seeks contributions from studies that link environmental processes with human aspects of climate change through the combined use of multiple knowledge sources. We invite presentations that merge information from technical climate and/or other environmental modeling efforts with local and Indigenous knowledge, observations, and experience to assess how permafrost, snowpack, groundwater, ecosystems, and/or river conditions in the Arctic may respond to future climate scenarios, and how the changes may impact local and regional communities. Particularly of interest is how such research efforts to address power asymmetries between knowledges systems might facilitate scenario planning and the development of localized adaptation strategies that respond to previous experience with specific events.

CONVENERS:

• Keith Musselman, INSTAAR / CU Boulder
• Peyton Thomas, INSTAAR / CU Boulder
• Julio Postigo, Indiana University 

  

# 5.7.  Social science in the changing Arctic research landscape 

Diverse disciplinary expertise, multiple ways of knowing, and the role of social science, are increasingly recognized as essential to address the challenges and opportunities emerging from dynamic and rapidly changing Arctic systems (Biresseliuglu et al. 2020). Social science brings important theories, methods, and practices and contributes both as a collective “field” of expertise with internal diversity as well as through more broadly transdisciplinary efforts as exemplified by NSF’s “Navigating the New Arctic” initiative and NordForsk’s “Sustainable Development of the Arctic” call. Other shifts in Arctic research, such as growing focus on co-production of knowledge and Indigenous-led research, also engage social science strengths while simultaneously creating the need to reflect on how the field of social science should broadly evolve to address and support these larger changes. Themes to reflect on include Indigenous understandings of social science, power imbalances among and within knowledge systems, and the situatedness of multiple ways of knowing. For this session, we invite abstracts that (re)consider the role of social science in the changing Arctic research landscape, ranging from new frameworks and theoretical approaches, to methods, to case studies. We will invite short contributions from presenters followed by a discussion about the themes and ideas presented.

Reference: Biresselioglu, ME, MH Demir, B Solak, A Kayacan, S Altinci, 2020. Investigating the trends in arctic research: The increasing role of social sciences and humanities, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 729,139027, ISSN 0048-9697, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139027.

CONVENERS:

• Noor Johnson, University of Colorado Boulder
• Kristin Weis, George Mason University
• Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon, Sauyaq Solutions
  
• Julio Postigo, Indiana University

 

# 5.8.  Call for Highlights of Increasing Equity in Arctic Research

An open call for presentations on equity in Arctic research, including examples of project-level innovation, trainings, metrics, evaluation, institutional changes, and research prioritization. Recent calls for equity in Arctic research have pointed to numerous challenges, including institutional barriers presented by university systems, models of academic advancement, and the current peer review model for funding and publication in research. This open call session is a companion to the panel session, “Advancing Equity in Arctic Research through Institutional Innovation and Change.” The conveners plan to balance brief presentations submitted through this open session call with discussion time for an interactive dialogue on equity in Arctic research.

CONVENERS:

• Sandy Starkweather, University of Colorado, CIRES/NOAA
• Margaret Rudolf, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Stacey Lucason, Kawerak, Inc.
• Alice Bradley, Williams College
• An T. Nguyen, The University of Texas at Austin

 

# 5.9.  Advancing the Practices of Societal Impact Assessment in Research Planning 

Creating ethical, equitable, and impactful connections between researchers from ‘western’ traditions and Indigenous communities are increasingly recognized as a critical success factors for developing inclusive and just observing and data systems. Funding agencies have increased emphasis on research that has tangible benefits for communities and decision-makers. In response, ‘western' researchers and funders have taken steps to center societal benefits in their proposals or funding calls; whereas, Indigenous community-centered work often emphasizes building and maintaining meaningful relationships. Engaging with Indigenous communities through societal impact evaluation is one path toward achieving these diverse objectives in observing and data system design. The session invites contributions that explore the diverse practices of societal impact-based approaches in guiding research, observing, and data system planning. In addition to sharing good practices, we seek to identify actionable areas where improvements are needed or where practice convergence can achieve broader goals. In particular, we invite ideas to achieve greater equity for Indigenous-led efforts and innovative participatory presentations. This includes reflecting on how these practices are in conversation with Indigenous data sovereignty considerations encapsulated in the CARE principles such as collective benefit, ethics, and responsibility concerns related to research, observations, and data governance.

CONVENERS:

• Hazel Shapiro, US Arctic Observing Network
• Sandy Starkweather, University of Colorado, CIRES/NOAA
• Vanessa Raymond, Alaska Center for Energy and Power

 

# 5.10.  Strengthening Indigenous Voices in Arctic Research: Progress and future directions for Indigenous-led and co-produced methodologies

In recognition of the value to Arctic research of Indigenous-led and co-produced methodologies, significant progress has been made in amplifying Indigenous voices and perspectives within the ICARP IV process, alongside the formation of new committees such as the IASC Standing Committee on Indigenous Involvement (SCII). In this session, we aim to bring together perspectives from diverse knowledge systems, career stages, and disciplines, as well as members of these newly formed committees, to discuss progress in supporting co-production and Indigenous-led methodologies in Arctic research.

In the first part of the session, we will present and discuss progress made since the ICARP session held at ASSW 2024. This will include presenting the first chapter of the online digital journal/eZine. We plan to span this over the next decade leading up to IPY. This publication will document the evolution, case studies, advancements, and nuances of co-production and Indigenous-led methodologies, with feedback contributing to the finalization of the first chapter.

The second part of the session will focus on future planning, seeking collective input to identify pivotal areas for IASC to reconsider and acknowledge. We will center Indigenous methodologies to inspire reflexivity and careful listening regarding processes such as decolonizing research practices and educational spaces, and the mechanisms required to support Indigenous leadership at various levels. This may include enhancing funding and resources for Indigenous-led initiatives, creating spaces for genuine dialogue and collaboration, incorporating mentorship and flexible research agendas, and promoting land-based education and community involvement in research.

CONVENERS:

• Anita Lafferty
• Stacey Lucason, Kawerak, Inc.

 

# 5.11.  Circumpolar Maternal and Child Health 

This session invites indigenous knowledge holders, community members, health personnel and researchers to share their stories about circumpolar maternal and child health. We welcome perspectives from both a biomedical and Indigenous knowledge standpoint with the aim to reframe best practices within a circumpolar context. It is our objective to examine circumpolar maternal and child health systems from a comparative global perspective that builds on the strengths of Indigenous knowledges to advance best practices for health policy and service delivery.

CONVENERS:

• Christine Ingemann, Centre for Public Health in Greenland, NIH, SDU
• Susan Chatwood, University of Alberta

 

# 5.12.  From community-engaged and Indigenous-led research to meaningful knowledge dissemination: experiences informed by Indigenous homelands

Knowledge mobilization practices in the Arctic are undergoing transformations guided by Indigenous communities. One of the major ways of the resulting change in research practices is blurring the line between knowledge production and knowledge dissemination, between arts and sciences. By widening the ways how the knowledge is shared by knowledge keepers and offering more spaces for Indigenous perspectives, scholars can build more meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities, support capacity building, and strengthen community well-being. Such an approach implies that a variety of tools, methods and creative practices are used for knowledge co-creation, sharing and representation, and as a result, have more meaningful impact. Meaningful knowledge dissemination is important as it can have an impact on decision making, support language revitalization, community economic growth, and address sustainability issues as viewed by the communities.

From the Indigenous perspective knowledge dissemination implies knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer on the terms of the People whose lands this knowledge is from. This sharing circle will bring together diverse experiences from community-engaged and Indigenous-led research that center Indigenous ways of knowledge sharing and offer ideas around meaningful knowledge dissemination.

CONVENERS:

• Tatiana Degai, University of Victoria
• Vera Kuklina, George Washington University
• James Tempte, Alaska Pacific University
  

 

# 5.13.  Indigenizing Research Agenda and Methodology in Arctic Science 

Indigenizing research agenda and methodology is an important priority to ensure that Arctic research is respectful and inclusive of Indigenous knowledge, is ethically conducted, and addresses urgent community needs and priorities.

We invite researchers, especially Indigenous scholars, to share their experiences in implementing the Indigenized and knowledge co-production approaches throughout the complete research process, including:

• The principle of community engagement at all stages of project implementation.
• FAIR, CARE, and other principles on Indigenous data sovereignty and governance.
• Local communities' cultural protocols for fieldwork.
• The Free, Prior, Informed Consent.
• The principle of transparency.
• Decolonization and Indigenization of Arctic research.

For this Session, we also invite presentations on Indigenous leadership in Arctic research, data use and dissemination, with a special focus on community data ownership and sovereignty principles, as well as co-authorship/first-authorship with community members when publishing and disseminating research results.

The Session is organized by the ARCTICenter, UNI, Project Understanding the Gendered Impacts of COVID-19 in the Arctic (COVID-GEA), and Project Measuring Urban Sustainability in Transition (MUST), and Project Socio-Ecological Systems Transformation in River basins of the sub-Arctic under climate change (SESTRA).

CONVENERS:

• Stanislav Saas Ksenofontov, ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa
• Marya Rozanova-Smith, The George Washington University
• Andrey Petrov,ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa

  

# 5.14.  The Role of Social Science in Arctic Research: Towards a More Collaborative Approach 

A review of top journals in social science disciplines reveals a near-total absence of Arctic-focused research. This session focuses on related challenges:

• Social scientists face career penalties for not prioritizing solo-authored research and publications, which are highly valued in their disciplines,
• Challenges in applying the full range of social science methodologies in collaborative Arctic research,
• Narrow inclusion of social science and Indigenous perspectives,
• Restricted access to graduate studies and academia for Indigenous and other Arctic-based people.

We invite proposals that highlight these issues and/or present actionable solutions. Discussions may focus on past, ongoing, or planned research related to one or more session themes:

• Professional Disincentives: Address challenges for social scientists, such as loss of credibility in their discipline and marginalization in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Rigorous Methodologies: Acknowledge the wide range of social science methodologies: critical theory to challenge prevailing power structures, longitudinal studies for detailed, long-term insights, ethnography for deep cultural understanding and generative findings, formal models, complex systems analysis, econometric models, large-N surveys, and field experiments for robust analytical frameworks.
• Indigenous Knowledge Inclusion: Recognize challenges and propose strategies for meaningfully incorporating Indigenous knowledge, e.g. by advocating for longer proposal time-frames and longer-term social science fieldwork.
• Representation Challenges: Highlight the stark underrepresentation of Indigenous and Arctic people in social sciences (e.g. according to the Alaska Native Knowledge Network, no Alaska Native has completed a PhD in key disciplines like economics or political science). Discuss ways to enhance and extend mentorship and community engagement to improve representation.

CONVENERS:

• Paul Castañeda Dower, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Sonja Castañeda Dower, University of Chicago
• Jessica Rich, Virginia Tech University

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6. Education and knowledge-sharing in and about the Arctic: Research and Practice

 

# 6.1.  Capacity Sharing in Arctic Regions Through Transdisciplinary Intergenerational Collaborative Research and Inclusive Education 

The increasing disconnection among communities, scientists, and policymakers poses significant challenges to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. It is vital to bridge these gaps, particularly in Arctic rural communities where residents face pressing concerns about environmental degradation, limited opportunities for work and education, and feelings of under-representation. A transdisciplinary intergenerational collaborative research approach is needed to investigate how both scientific research and inclusive education can develop capacities, needed for active democratic engagement and citizen participation in this context. All generations bring valuable input to such approach: Youth, being particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, are vital to securing our sustainable future. Elders and other stakeholders, including scientists, hold valuable insights into the environment, drawing from traditional ecological knowledge or scientific expertise. Arctic regions need to be equipped to face the challenges posed by a changing world and empowered to actively participate in climate action and policymaking. A co-created strategy is needed to effectively create knowledge sharing and capacity building for climate preparedness and resilience within local communities. This can only be achieved by a process that promote skill acquisition, knowledge dissemination, and greater civic engagement among youth and potentially marginalized and historically silenced knowledge-disempowered individuals—addressing the knowledge voice gap. We invite research, case studies, and learning experiments from early career professional, elders, scientists, educators, and policymakers who focuses on collaboration with various stakeholders to develop strategies for capacity sharing for community resilience and increase civic involvement with biodiversity conservation and climate change.

CONVENERS:

• Jessica Aquino, Hólar University
• Pigga Keskitalo
• Inga Beck

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7. Technology, Infrastructure, Logistics, and Services

 

# 7.1.  Technologies for year-round observations in the Arctic Ocean 

As we are approaching the next International Polar Year, we are witnessing the advent of year-round data collection systems monitoring the seasonally sea-ice-covered Arctic Ocean. Today, large, multi-season moorings collect data in the entire water column at certain locations (e.g, HiAOOS). In the near future, a number of submarine fibre telecommunication cables equipped with a variety of sensing capabilities will traverse the Arctic Ocean. Such cables will open up new opportunities for continuous, high-temporal resolution data collection along their path and report important variables for climate studies, oceanography, seismology, biology, security and public safety. Currently three cable systems are being planned: Polar Connect across the central Arctic Ocean, Far North Fibre, and Tusass Connect Vision).

This session will highlight year-round Arctic Ocean data collection technologies, explain their applicability, benefits and costs and give our audience a picture of what we can hope to achieve by the coming International Polar Year.

We invite contributions that present new technologies t​​hat are either already deployed, in the demonstration phase, or in the planning stage. The submissions should also highlight the benefits these technologies will bring to science and to Arctic communities, including fact-based decision support.

(Supported in part by the EU 22-EU-DIG-NPF, Grant Agreement ID 101133585, North Pole Fibre)

CONVENERS:

• Julia Muchowski, Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
• Benoît Pirenne, Ocean Networks Canada

 

# 7.2.  Energy Resilience of the Buildings in Remote Cold Regions

This sessions will focus on energy resilient building in the Cold Regions. For people to survive in the cold, buildings must be warm and comfortable in normal operations and habitable in a crisis. With rapid climate change, energy security risks and other challenges, it is expected that power outages and energy shortage is possible. To be able to provide a design that is robust, adaptable, and financially viable, it is important to understand the aspects of the building or the buildings’ cluster location that will impact equipment selections, operating hours, and maintenance needs. Another consideration is the building’s ability to withstand a heating plant outage, either locally or from a centralized source. Resilience of buildings, mechanical systems, and energy supply systems in cold climates is especially important. This session invites presentations that address the technical, economic, environmental and societal frameworks necessary for improving the resilience of building communities located in cold climates

CONVENERS:

• Alexander Zhivov, U.S. Army ERDC-CERL
• Jon W. Williams, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
• Robbin Garber-Slaght, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

  

# 7.3.  The Challenges of Arctic Infrastructure 

This interdisciplinary session delves into the unique challenges and future possibilities of Arctic infrastructure, encompassing perspectives from the social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, and the arts. The Arctic's extreme climate, permafrost, and remoteness impose significant obstacles on infrastructure development. Despite many ambitious plans for Arctic development, the realization of projects is often hindered by limited community engagement and logistical challenges. From a societal perspective, different stakeholders can see infrastructural development either as a blessing or as a curse, depending on the type of entanglement with a particular infrastructure and the opportunity to participate in governance processes.

The session will explore what distinguishes Arctic infrastructures from those in other regions, focusing on the interplay between the harsh physical environment of the Arctic and socio-economic factors. Building on the efforts of the IASC Research Initiative RATIC, this discussion aims to foster innovative approaches and actionable insights for identifying the challenges of Arctic infrastructure development. We invite papers that address socio-economic, environmental, technological, and artistic aspects of Arctic infrastructure, emphasizing the need for collaborative processes such as co-imagining, co-creating, and co-planning to envision sustainable infrastructural futures.

CONVENERS:

• Alexandra Meyer, University of Vienna
• Peter Schweitzer, University of Vienna
• Olga Povoroznyuk, University of Vienna
• Vera Kuklina, George Washington University

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8. Arctic Data

 

# 8.1.  Gender and Disaggregated Data in the Arctic Region - Gender Equality in the Arctic Phase IV – Session on Data 

Sex and gender disaggregated data is reflecting differences and inequalities in the situation of women and men. Such data is crucial for providing decision makers with the knowledge and capacity to develop well informed policies. Data feeds indicators and indexes across all sectors and at all levels of society to capture gender equality, social and economic inequalities, levels of gender-based violence, and impacts from processes of colonization, and empowerment and education.

The lack of data and persistent gaps in data availability, in addition to a lack of protocols for sharing data, has been flagged in previous reports, such as in the Arctic Human Development Reports and the Arctic Social Indicators reports. During the development of the report on Gender Equality in the Arctic, authors of most chapters identified the paucity of data and the challenges this brings for analysis and comparisons. This continued lack of gendered and intersectional data, including specific data on Indigenous populations and LGBTQIA2S+, severely impedes efforts to adequately understand the dynamics of gender across the Arctic. Consistent and comparable data is the very foundation for understanding realities and inequalities across regions, countries, sectors, genders, and peoples.

Objective of the session is to address the paucity and inconsistencies of gender and disaggregated data in the Arctic region. Session welcomes presentations on existing gender / sex / ethnically disaggregated data and on data needed to fill in existing gaps, and challenges to gender and sex disaggregated data in the Arctic region.

CONVENERS:

• Embla Eir Oddsdóttir, Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network
• Bridget Larocque, Arctic Athabascan Council (AAC)
• Mervi Heikkinen, University of Oulu

 

# 8.2.  Data-Driven Research: Streamlining Collaboration Between Repositories and Researchers 

Open access data repositories serve as a connection between researchers, data scientists, policy makers, and Arctic communities. These repositories play a role in ensuring that published data is findable, accessible, and re-usable by people and machines. This connection motivates the need to streamline collaboration between repositories and researchers for their mutual benefit and determine researcher needs for repository resources. This session will highlight advances in data services that meet researcher and community needs, and will include topics such as making data ready for use with AI and machine learning, automation and standardization of data quality assurance across systems, data integration and harmonization to create value-added data products, improving researcher experiences with data deposit and access systems, and identifying current and future user needs for data systems. These efforts will aid in ensuring researchers around the globe have access to Arctic data and reimagine and address requirements for the next decade of Arctic research to ensure data of all sizes are accessible, organized, and re-usable.

CONVENERS:

• Nicole Greco, Arctic Data Center
• Shannon McAllister, Arctic Institute of North America
• Chantelle Verhey, International Science Council

 

 # 8.3.  Rethinking/Thinking through Indigenous data sovereignty in the Arctic 

Indigenous data sovereignty speaks to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, nations, and communities to control how their data is shared, used, and stored. Indigenous nations and organizations have been working to create principles, guidelines, and resources for communities and researchers alike to support the implementation of Indigenous data sovereignty. While there are some excellent examples of Indigenous data governance, this issue has still not been widely and properly addressed by Arctic researchers. Furthermore, discussions surrounding Indigenous data sovereignty in the Arctic largely remain North American centered and lack actionable ways to implement Indigenous data sovereignty at the community level. We invite abstract submissions from Arctic Indigenous communities, researchers, collaborating scientists, and others who are working to implement or address Indigenous data sovereignty in their initiatives. The session will begin with a framing and sharing out from a pre-event and discussion, with contributions from submitted abstracts followed by discussion.

CONVENERS:

• Natasha Haycock-Chavez, University of Colorado Boulder
• Tatiana Degai, University of Victoria
• Rauna Kuokkanen, University of Lapland

 

# 8.4.  Making Arctic Science, Equitable and Accessible to All Through Open Science 

An icon of Arctic science was a researcher going into the polar environment, collecting data, and bringing it back into the lab for analysis. Data might be in notebooks, on a disk or a computer hard drive, but it would be in the hands of the researcher and their team. The data would be analyzed and a paper written. The data would be stored in a file cabinet or on a harddrive. Other scientists may reasonably request the data. But otherwise, data and software would sit gathering “dust”. There was little interaction between the researchers and people living in the Arctic.

This way of doing science is changing to an Open Science, in which the process and products of research are accessible and available to all, while respecting diverse cultures, maintaining security and privacy. This fosters better collaborations, reproducibility, equity and inclusivity.

There are many aspects to Open Science: open access publishing, open data, software, and hardware, and the development of FAIR principles for data and software. The CARE principles introduce respecting the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples. Within the Arctic, the Share principles guide researchers in working with Indigenous Peoples, focusing on relationships, accountability and respect.

In this session, we welcome submissions on implementing all aspects of open science: success stories, challenges, frustrations, future needs, and new ideas.

CONVENERS:

• Andrew Barrett, NSIDC/NNA-CO, University of Colorado
• Walt Meier, NSIDC, University of Colorado

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