26 March 2025 | 13:30 - 15:30 (MDT)
Open Session - HYBRID
Room: UMC Fourth Floor - 425
Organisers: Sandy Starkweather (University of Colorado, CIRES/NOAA, USA); Stacey Lucason (Kawerak, Inc., USA); Alice Bradley (Williams College, USA); An T. Nguyen (The University of Texas at Austin, USA)
Zoom link to the Session (password-protected)
The password needed to connect to the session will be distributed the day prior to the start of the sessions to all registered conference participants. Further guidelines on how to participate virtually in the ASSW 2025 can be found on the ASSW 2025 website.
Session Description:
An open call for presentations on co-production in Arctic research, including examples of project-level innovation, trainings, metrics, evaluation, institutional changes, and research prioritization. Recent calls for co-production 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 Co-production 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 co-production in Arctic research.
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_moreAdvancing equity in polar research: perspectives from the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists — Sarah Marie Strand
Sarah Marie Strand 1,2; Axel Schlindwein 1,2; Lisa Grosfeld 1,3
1 Association of Polar Early Career Scientists International Directorate; 2 UiT The Arctic University of Norway; 3 Alfred Wegener Institute - Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine ResearchFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
Advancing equity in polar research is a guiding principle of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS). In this contribution, we will outline a number of success stories from within our network. A foundational aspect of our work is broadening who and what is associated with Arctic research; we see clear benefits of actively reaching outside of academia to engage those from other sectors like community leadership, public government and business. The APECS & Arctic PASSION Sharing Circle provides an example of innovation in the format of Arctic research-related events. Key aspects of the event’s success can be linked to having extended time for personal relationship building, which occurred through semi-structured discussions but also through other parts of the program like cultural activities and shared meals. The event emphasized capacity sharing and everyone coming together as equals, regardless of background or career stage. Participants responded extremely positively to this concept and creating safe spaces for experience sharing is a repeated element in APECS’ initiatives. We see the need for renewed funding mechanisms that can support prolonged project application and funding timescales in addition to diversity in project partnership (for example, by broadening requirements for institutional eligibility and remuneration). APECS has amplified the success of foundational BAJEDI training by offering it in collaboration with partner organizations, resulting in a more diverse group of participants. However, such trainings must be accompanied by continual institutional reflection and development.
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unfold_moreTowards more Inclusion in Antarctic Research — Inga Beck
Inga Beck 1; Jilda Caccavo 2
1 Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, University of Munich; 2 Institute Pierre-Simon LaplaceFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
Recognizing the persistent perception of Antarctic researchers as ‘white men’ the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) prioritizes the need to improve equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in its community. To this end, SCAR launched an Action Group on EDI in May 2021. The mission of the AG is to improve EDI in polar research, with the goal to understand EDI challenges within the context of SCAR and to translate that understanding into actions to improve accessibility and representation. The AG is composed of a leadership steering group with 13 international members, representing relevant institutions, managed by a Chief Officer, Deputy Chief Officer and Coordinator. The past four years has seen many activities, including the publication of a SCAR EDI statement and the creation of a Code of Conduct, including an online form that allows anonymous reporting of harassment. Furthermore, together with the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), the AG is working to improve accessibility to SCAR resources by translating key documents. The most recent highlights of the AG were four events, including a plenary lecture, during the SCAR Open Science Conference (2024), which were met with great enthusiasm by the conference participants, and improved the EDI visibility within the community. The AG also facilitated conference participation by researchers from developing countries by awarding 13 travel grants. Finally, the AG created an EDI survey, embedded in the conference registration form, which will allow to continue to identify gaps in representation and participation in the community, to target future efforts.
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unfold_moreVisualizing Futures-Centered Potentials for Equitable Arctic Research — Skye Moret
Skye Moret 1; Beth Langley 2; Anika Pinzner 3; Jessica Badgeley 4
Format: Oral in-person
1 Northeastern University; 2 University of Glasgow; 3 University of Alaska Fairbanks; 4 Dartmouth College
Abstract:
Equity in Arctic research begins with understanding and respecting mutual values, whose form is often difficult to comprehend for those not yet introduced to or engaged in ethical research practices. To contribute to promoting and supporting mutual respect and value exchange, particularly among Western researchers and corresponding funding entities, we propose a concept for a future visual tool designed to bridge this conceptual value gap. The basis of the tool is a visual dendrogram that encourages Western researchers to reflect on and evaluate their research by considering key questions associated with six specific topics critical for conducting research in the Arctic: collaboration, ethics, relevance, funding, dissemination, and impact. Here, we offer a critical approach on how visual tools in the research decision-making process—as applied to research funding, approach, and practice—can mutually advance both equity and science, and we suggest design strategies, implementation models, and appropriate venues to do so. By utilizing visual tools to guide Western researchers in approaching and learning the components and steps of ethical research inquiry, we examine the ‘futures cone’ of equity in Arctic research between Western researchers and Indigenous societies: what might probable, possible, and preferable futures look like when mutual values are visualized? In what research contexts are tools like this most useful and to whom? By contextualizing Arctic equity discourse in a format that is both accessible and adaptable into multi-stakeholder tools, we hope this format will inspire others to synthesize, frame, and visualize their work to catalyze equitable change for good.
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unfold_moreElevating the use of Indigenous observations to guide equitable engagement in marine mammal co-management in Arctic Alaska — Donna Hauser
Donna Hauser 1; Roberta Glenn-Borade 1; Billy Adams 2; Kimberly Pikok 1; Krista Heeringa 1
1 University of Alaska Fairbanks; 2 Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub, UtqiagvikFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH) is a long-term community-based observing program which supports sustained and holistic environmental monitoring by Iñupiaq observers in coastal Arctic Alaska. In >11,000 observations made since 2007, Iñupiaq observers have noted several environmental changes that impact traditional and customary harvest activities, particularly those related to Arctic marine mammals that are the lifeblood of these communities. Traditional harvests for marine mammals in Alaska fall under federal regulations and co-management agreements for collaborative conservation and management. AAOKH observers have identified a need and opportunity for their observations, which are rooted in Indigenous Knowledge, to be included in the co-management process, yet institutional barriers to equitably including Indigenous perspectives alongside Western scientific data remain. Here, we reflect on new and ongoing efforts to support equitable knowledge exchanges and coordination among co-management organizations and AAOKH. We focus on addressing an overarching question: How can community-based observations close observational gaps and elevate the use of Indigenous Knowledge to strengthen Indigenous-led climate resilience, resource management, and food security?
Poster Presentations (during Poster Exhibit and Session on Wednesday 26 March):
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unfold_morePrep Before You Step: Evolving Approaches to Greenland-based Research through Visualization — Anika Pinzner
Anika Pinzner 1; Jessica Badgeley 2; Beth Langley 3; Skye Morét 4
1 University of Alaska Fairbanks; 2 Dartmouth College; 3 University of Glasgow; 4 Northeastern UniversityFormat: Poster in-person
Poster number: 464
Abstract:
Western researchers increasingly recognize the necessity of conducting ethical research for and with Greenlandic society to produce quality research that contributes meaningfully to local communities while addressing broader global challenges. Despite the growing number of resources available on this topic, such as Greenland's National Research Strategy 2022–2030 and Arctic Hub, many outside researchers have difficulty starting an ethically-informed research process due to several real and perceived barriers. Acknowledging our positionality as early-career Western polar scientists, we aim to lower the barrier of beginning down the path of ethical research by sharing how our research approach is evolving with our increasing awareness of Greenland’s research priorities. To this end, we developed a living document ‘thought manual’ outlining six integral topics, corresponding sub-topics, questions, and resources to consider when engaging in Greenland-based research. Our compilation and organization of these insights are informed by the Greenland Ice Sheet Ocean Science Network (GRISO) summer school 2024, by Greenlandic published resources on their research values, and through related interactions with the Greenlandic research community. Using a dendrogram to visualize the thought manual, we contrast a more status quo approach to Greenland-based research with the breadth of evolving questions researchers should consider. The visualization highlights a critical shift in research practices that we hope will help Western scientists 1) navigate the process of conducting ethical research for and with Greenland in alignment with Greenland’s research strategy and 2) ultimately improve the quality of polar research.
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unfold_moreCan practicing inclusive leadership help drive systemic culture change in the polar sciences? Thoughts from the early career community — Mariama Dryák-Vallies
Mariama Dryák-Vallies 1; Anne U. Gold 2; Bradley Markle 3
1 Polar Science Early Career Community Office, Cooperative Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder; 2 Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder; 3 Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado BoulderFormat: Poster in-person
Poster number: 422
Abstract:
Polar early career researchers (ECRs) have voiced the need for culture change within the Arctic and Antarctic sciences and are leading the effort to make polar science research environments and systems more equitable more equitable, welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and diverse. When asked, “Where do they want to lead the polar research community?”, during the 2023 Polar Postdoc Leadership Workshop (PPLW) hosted by the Polar Science Early Career Community Office (PSECCO), participants described that they wanted to lead the polar research community towards a future where polar science research environments are welcoming and inclusive to all. However, despite this call for change from the early career community, the PPLW attendees described a lack of agency amongst ECRs to change the systems that polar research operates within. Challenges they cited that contribute to the feeling of limited agency to change systems include their limited positions of power and job security in their early career stages. PPLW attendees and the broader polar early career community have developed several ideas on how to pursue culture change within the polar research environment. For example, the PPLW attendees suggested that practicing the following six aspects of inclusive leadership: establishing collective group norms, practicing self-awareness, practicing empathy, actively listening, establishing and upholding transparent protocols, and sharing resources, could help drive systemic inclusive change within polar science in a recently published paper. This presentation will outline recommendations from the early career community related to how to practice inclusive leadership and create more inclusive and equitable polar research environments.
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unfold_moreBridging Ethical Engagement with Big Data Research: Surveying the Remote Sensing and Modeling Communities — Michael DeLue
Julian Dann 1; Michael DeLue 2; Bob Bolton 3; Eugenie Euskirchen 1; Matt McCarthy 3; Abbie Faxon 3
1 University of Alaska Fairbanks; 2 University of Alaska Fairbanks, International Arctic Research Center, Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, Scenarios Network for Alaska + Arctic Planning; 3 Oak Ridge National LaboratoryFormat: Poster in-person
Poster number: 571
Abstract:
The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments (NGEE) Arctic is an ongoing multi-scale research project (2012-2027) with a goal of improving our understanding of and our ability to model complex arctic ecosystems. NGEE Arctic emphasizes continuous collaboration between interdisciplinary teams of field scientists and modelers to develop model-informed field experiments. Observations made by the NGEE Arctic team across a gradient of permafrost landscapes in Alaska are being incorporated into the latest earth system models to improve the representation of tundra processes.
The contributions of local and Indigenous communities in Arctic Alaska have advanced the modeling of tundra ecosystems by NGEE Arctic. As part of NGEE Arctic’s science communication and outreach plan the project aims to communicate with communities about the research conducted in their region and improve researchers’ approach to community-engaged science.
Ethical engagement frameworks published across the circumpolar Arctic emphasize the need for two-way communication about research affecting remote and primarily Indigenous communities. We are surveying remote sensing and modeling projects to understand how those engagement frameworks shape projects which may not involve on-the-ground data collection.
StoryMaps are being developed by the NGEE Arctic team to democratize access to geospatial data, which is often only available to those with expensive software licenses, advanced skills in GIS, or the time to learn open-source software. They are particularly effective for audiences familiar with the region of study, allowing users to focus on areas of personal interest, such as regions potentially affected by industrial leases, subsistence hunting or fishing areas, or family cabins.