29 March 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 CEST
Open Session - HYBRID
Room: Mødelokale 1.1
Organiser: Klara Köhler (Aarhus University, Denmark)
Session Description:
Arctic fieldwork often relies on Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to contribute in a variety of ways including logistical support, project designs, science communication and field campaigns. This often requires operating in remote and challenging environments which requires adequate pre-planning to prepare for extreme weather, logistical constraints, and working across diverse knowledge systems. Existing safety and field protocols vary across institutions and disciplines, often leaving gaps in training, access to essential gear, and harassment prevention. This session is jointly led by members from APECS Denmark, APECS Netherlands and the UK Polar Network who identify safe and inclusive fieldwork practices as an ongoing area that needs to be addressed despite recent progress being made.
During this session we will have presentations from ECRs and senior researchers who will share their experiences from fieldwork and APECS representatives will provide an update on the progress being made to support safe and inclusive fieldwork practices. As a group will then work through a planning exercise which can be used to increase preparedness for fieldwork. This will be helpful to ECRs preparing to head on fieldwork and Principal Investigators (PIs) supporting ECRs. This exercise centres around a planning rubric that can be widely used prior to and following field campaigns- designed and evaluated during a large EU consortium with more than 70 ERC’s. This will provide an awareness of the areas Principal Investigators, funders, and governing bodies need to implement to increase safe, inclusive and equitable research environments. Together we will continue to shape ECR fieldwork experiences for the better, leading to retention of the next generation of Arctic researchers, leaders and educators.
Preparation is half the work when it comes to safe and inclusive Arctic fieldwork practices. We hope to bring together a diverse range of participants including ECRs and later career researchers to discuss experiences and good practices for supporting Arctic fieldwork preparedness moving forward.