27 March 2025 | 08:30 - 10:00 (MDT)
Open Session - HYBRID
Room: UMC Fourth Floor - 425
Organisers: James Powell (University of Alaska Southeast, USA); Robert Orttung, George Washington University, USA); Laura Landrum (National Center for Atmospheric Research, USA); Sean Asikłuk Topkok (University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA); Stacey Lucason (Kawerak Inc., USA)
Session Description:
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.
Instructions for Speakers: Oral presentations in this session should be at most 12-minutes in length, with an additional 2-3 minutes for questions (unless more detailed instructions are provided by session conveners). See more detailed presenter instructions here.
Oral Presentations:
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unfold_moreRNA CoObs’ approach to planning a research coordination meeting — Emily Lescak
Emily Lescak 1; Hajo Eicken 1; Margaret Rudolf 1; Sandy Starkweather 2
1 University of Alaska Fairbanks; 2 CU Boulder, NOAAFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
Research Networking Activity for Sustained Coordinated Observations of Arctic Change (RNA CoObs) is a U.S.-based project that aims to implement the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) Roadmap for Arctic Observing and Data Systems (Arctic ROADS). We connect individuals, organizations, and projects focused on Arctic observing, with the goals of sustaining Arctic ROADS, capacity sharing, and supporting knowledge co-production. In August 2024, we held an in-person convening in Alaska that brought the CoObs team together with current and potential future partners, including members of Arctic PASSION, the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Alaska Ocean Observing System and Tanana Chiefs Conference; organizers of the GOOS Arctic Regional Alliance; and researchers from the University of Alaska. The value proposition for all of the participants varied, but centered on sharing expertise related to observing needs in Alaska and connecting with others in this space. Our approach included collaboratively building an agenda, hosting pre-workshops on respectful and cooperative research with Indigenous partners, offering sessions designed and led by multiple project team members, and providing scaffolding for participants who were less familiar with the project. We ended the week with a visit to Nenana, located in Interior Alaska where there are fewer research assets compared to other parts of the state. We collaborated with Tribal members to characterize their agricultural lands using aerial and ground surveys. Benefits of holding an open meeting included rich discussions, broader perspectives on project evaluation, and the development of novel avenues of work with new collaborators.
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unfold_moreKnowledge, Policy, Action: The potential of Research Networks to Meet Societal Challenges — Michaela Coote
Michaela Coote 1
1 University of GalwayFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
A collaborative approach to decision-making includes maintaining a shared direction for meeting societal challenges through the management of intellectual and physical resources. As part of this approach, Research Networks (RNs) have been supported through international, regional, and national support mechanisms, gaining increased prominence worldwide. Although of different scopes and scales, Research Networks play an important role in transforming knowledge into action in the form of different collaborative outputs between different actors within the science-policy interface and society. This presentation will summarise the results of a study produced by the University of Galway which explores the relationship between the inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts of Research Networks considering national and international government policies. The study analyzed multiple Research Networks as case studies (with a focus on Arctic RNs) and applied a Logic Model to anlayze how specific operations of the Research Networks supports the science-policy interface based upon socital needs. The Science Foundation Ireland project aims to inform Research Networks and other relevent actors how to ensure that their operations enable the production of research that links to policy objectives and; provides clear guidance on how to evaluate their ability to carry out target based knowledge exchange of relevence to societal needs.
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unfold_morePoleSTAH (Science, Technology, Archaeology and History) — Bryan Lintott
Bryan Lintott 1
1 UiT Norway´s Arctic University, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of CambridgeFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
PoleSTAH (Science, Technology, Archaeology and History) is an annual conference that brings together heritage preservation communities, scientists, robotic specialists and historians. In 2024, the inaugural conference was held at the Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with hybrid links to the Americas and Norway – and lots of coffee for the time differences. The conference was opened by Māori experts on sub-Antarctic archaeology and current Antarctic engagement, and the hybrid Arctic session with a presentation from Saami Research Council and Professor Vegard Negård of UiT Norway´s Arctic University. A rich and diverse range of cultural perspectives combined with updates on research science, technological developments and historical research made for a profound and productive conference. PoleSTAH 2025 will be coordinated by UiT Norway´s Arctic University and the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge. PoleSTAH is an initiative of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Polar Heritage.
Central to the PoleSTAH concept is respect for the peoples of the north and the south, integration of available knowledge and technology to maximise research while minimising related environmental impacts, and an emphasis on the open and ongoing nature of this endeavour. This presentation will give an overview of PoleSTAH.
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unfold_moreThe EU Polar Cluster - a network of EU funded projects and permanent members — Maria Grigoratou
Elaina Ford 1; Maria Grigoratou 2
1 British Antarctic Survey, EU Polar Cluster; 2 European Polar BoardFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The EU is a major contributor to Polar research that seeks to better understand the challenges the high North is facing in a rapidly changing environment. As part of this contribution, the EU established the EU Arctic Cluster, which was expanded in 2019 to the EU Polar Cluster with the addition of Antarctic Projects. The Cluster is a growing network of EU-funded Polar research projects and organisations. Its work highlights excellent examples for improved cooperation and synergistic work of EU projects. The Cluster merges a broad spectrum of research and coordination activities and contributes with European-generated knowledge to both regional and global decision-making. We will present the latest developments of the EU Polar Cluster. The Cluster was previously coordinated by the EU-PolarNet projects, to the end of 2024, the European Polar Board, and the British Antarctic Survey. From January 2025, moving to a more stable and sustainable model, the Cluster is to be hosted by the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO), which will be hosted by the EPB. We will highlight our recent collaborations and tools and outline our plans for the future.