News

Here we will list news items relevant to the UK Arctic and Antarctic Polar Research Community.

Race Impact Survey for the UK Polar Community – deadline 25th October 2020

(Posted 1st October 2020)

The Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative are inviting the UK Polar Community to complete a survey about your experience of equality, diversity and inclusion while working in the UK Polar research and operations community, particularly regarding race.

Whether you have worked in the UK polar community for a long time or are only getting started, your experience is valuable.

Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI) is undertaking this survey to gather key insights into racism and lack of inclusivity, and to move the response to racism forward in the UK Polar Community. DiPSI has highlighted the lack of diversity for minority ethnic groups in UK polar science in comparison to the wider UK population as an issue, and looks to consider the opportunities to improve from only 3% representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues.

This survey is for those who are currently working or have worked within the UK Polar Community, and should take ca 10 minutes to complete. Please forward it to colleagues and friends who also work and study in polar fields in the UK, or have done so in the past. The survey will close on 25 October 2020.

Results will be collated and published on the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative webpage, along with next steps in the further development of the DiPSI programme.

Further information about the DiPSL is available here.

The Arctic and the UK: climate, research and engagement – briefing paper

(Posted 23rd June 2020)

This briefing paper by UKAAP colleagues explains how the UK’s climate is linked to conditions in the Arctic, and why a UK Arctic science strategy is integral to understanding how global warming will change the Arctic and affect the UK.

3rd Arctic Ministerial Research Community Workshops

(Posted 4th June 2020)

“Knowledge for a Sustainable Arctic” is the overall theme of the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3). Under that umbrella, four sub-themes are focused on taking action on the most urgent challenges facing the Arctic, which international scientific cooperation can help achieve:

  1. Observe the status of Arctic changes
  2. Understand the local and global impacts
  3. Respond to the changes based on a shared understanding
  4. Strengthen these efforts through education and capacity-building for future generations

The four sub-themes are described in more detail here (https://asm3.org/library/Files/ASM3%20Themes.pdf).

In an effort to engage the broader Arctic research community in the ASM3 process, IASC (https://iasc.info/), IASSA (https://iassa.org/), and APECS (https://www.apecs.is/) are convening two ASM3 Research Community Workshops on 15 June 2020: 

  • First option: 15 June 2020, 8:00-10:00 GMT(17:00 Tokyo, 11:00 Moscow, 10:00 Berlin, 9:00 London). To participate, register at http://tiny.cc/ASM3RCW1
  • Second option: 15 June 2020, 16:00-18:00 GMT (8:00-10:00 Alaska, 12:00 Ottawa / Washington, D.C., 14:00 Nuuk). To participate, register at http://tiny.cc/ASM3RCW2

Please note: the workshops will be held via Zoom, but phone call-in numbers will also be available. The workshops’ working language will be English.

In addition to participating in the online workshops, all members and stakeholders of the Arctic research community (including Arctic residents and Indigenous Peoples) are invited to fill out this survey, which mirrors the workshops’ structure: http://tiny.cc/ASM3ScienceForm

The workshop organizers will make a summary report based on the discussions in the workshops and survey, and this report will be shared with the ASM3 Organizing Committee and Science Advisory Board. If you have any input or questions about these workshops, please contact allen.pope @ iasc.info. If you would like to learn more about engaging in or contributing to the ASM3 process, please contact ml-asm@mext.go.jp.

For further information, please see https://iasc.info/communications/news-archive/631-3rd-arctic-science-ministerial-research-community-workshops

Arctic Science Summit Week 2021 – Call for sessions

(Posted 4th May 2020)

ASSW Open Science Conference – The Arctic: Regional Changes, Global Impacts

Date: 23-26 March 2021

Venue: Lisbon, Portugal

https://assw2021.pt/

Call for scientific session open until 22 May 2020

To submit a session, please visit the following website:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-DvyuwKXAAfEizM07r96-JcH7HsEC3T0KB17DqbLdfxX0VA/viewform

Policy Priorities in a Changing Arctic Ocean

(Posted 23rd March 2020)

The Central Arctic Ocean plays a pivotal role in regional and global climate and ocean circulation, and influences UK weather patterns. In order to formulate appropriate policy responses to climate change, we need to align the key scientific and policy questions surrounding the Central Arctic Ocean, which currently remain largely unanswered.

The aim of this PolicyBristol project was to address the three key questions: What are the key stakeholder-relevant questions surrounding change in the Central Arctic Ocean? How do these key questions map onto current UK marine science in the Central Arctic Ocean? Where are the gaps between stakeholder requirements and UK marine science capability?

The findings and recommendations for future research priorities are summarised in a briefing note for policy makers and a broader summary document.

UKAAP Horizon Scan – call for comments from the UK Arctic Community (Posted 19th December 2019)

At the last UK Arctic Science Conference in September 2019, the UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnership (UKAAP) held a horizon scanning workshop looking at the emerging Arctic research priorities and opportunities over the next 5 to 20 years. The five themes covered were:

 ·         Priorities for Arctic Terrestrial Research (Session lead: Mary Edwards –  M.E.Edwards@soton.ac.uk – Southampton University)

·         Priorities for Arctic Research in the Oceans (Kate Hendry – K.Hendry@bristol.ac.uk – Bristol University)

·         Priorities for Arctic Research in the Social Sciences (Duncan Depledge – D.Depledge@lboro.ac.uk – Loughborough University)

·         Priorities for the Cryosphere (James Lea – J.Lea@liverpool.ac.uk – University of Liverpool)

·         Priorities for Atmospheric science (Gillian Young, G.Young1@leeds.ac.uk – Leeds University)

A draft report is now available.

https://ukaapartnership.org/news/ukaap_arctic-horizon-scan_dec-2019/

The UKAAP Steering Committee would like to now engage further with the wider UK Arctic community and are asking for comments on the draft report by 31 January 2020. Please send any comments directly to the appropriate session lead, as highlighted in the document and above.

 The UKAAP Steering Committee will then collate all additional comments and produce a  position paper and a final report by the summer of 2020 which will be made widely available

 Please address any questions regarding the process to Professor Viv Jones: Vivienne.Jones@ucl.ac.uk

Call for Applications: ARCTIS 2020 (Posted 9th October 2019)

The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists in Russia (APECS Russia) and the UK Polar Network invites Early Career Scientists (PhD student/candidate or postdoctoral researcher up to 5 years post PhD) from UK and Russia (please note that Russian applicants need to fill in a different form) to apply to the interdisciplinary field course in the Russian Arctic titled “Arctic Interdisciplinary Studies – ARCTIS”. ARCTIS will cover main domains of disciplines: Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Terrestrial (including hydrology) and Social and Humanities. The field course will take place in Khanty-Mansiysk (Yugra) Autonomous Region, Russia on February 17-23, 2020. Further information can be found here.

How to apply:

Please apply by completing the form at: https://forms.gle/2vsoG7HZyJERYhN87. Application submission deadline is November 7, 2019. Selected candidates will be notified by November 17, 2019.

Second announcement
The Southern Ocean in the Weddell Sea and off Dronning Maud Land:
unique oceanographic conditions shape circumpolar and global processes.

A multidisciplinary workshop of the Weddell Sea – Dronning Maud Land (WS-DML) regional working group of the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) – 28th to 30th April 2020. Further details available here

MASTS 2019 Annual Science Meeting (posted 18th Septmeber 2019)

MASTS 2019 Annual Science Meeting: ‘Arctic marine science: current research and opportunities for engagement in the Russian Arctic’ workshop 

Venue: Conference room 3, MASTS 2019 Annual Science Meeting

Time: 4 October, 9:00am-1:00pm

Organisers: UK Science and Innovation Network in Russia, Scottish Association for Marine Science, the NERC Arctic Office

The workshop ‘Arctic marine science: current research and opportunities for engagement in the Russian Arctic’ is part of the MASTS2019 programme. Join the workshop to learn about recent Arctic marine research projects in the UK and Russia and practical opportunities to connect with the Russian Arctic science community and marine research facilities at the White Sea. The workshop will feature science talks by UK-based researchers and a group of scientists from St. Petersburg State University and the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

For more info, please visit https://www.masts.ac.uk/annual-science-meeting/2019-workshops/.

INTERACT Transnational Access Call is open for projects taking place between April and August 2020

The EU-H2020 funded INTERACT (International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic) opens a call for research groups to apply for Transnational Access to 42 research stations across the Arctic and northern alpine and forest areas in Europe, Russia and North-America. The sites represent a variety of glacier, mountain, tundra, boreal forest, peatland and freshwater ecosystems, providing opportunities for researchers from natural sciences to human dimension. Transnational Access includes free access (either physical or remote) for user groups/users to research facilities and field sites, including support for travel and logistic costs.

Overall, INTERACT provides three different modalities of access: Transnational and Remote Access that are applied through annual calls, and Virtual Access which means free access to data from stations, available at all times through the INTERACT VA single-entry point.

The call for Transnational and Remote Access applications is open on 12th August – 8th October 2019, and it is the final TA/RA call for our current EU-H2020 funding period. The call is targeted for access taking place between April and August 2020.  You can find the TA/RA Call information, stations available in the call, descriptions of stations and their facilities, and registration to the INTERACCESS on-line application system from the INTERACT website.

An on-line webinar will be held on Wed 4th Sept at 13:00-14:00 (CEST) to provide information about the ongoing TA/RA call and for answering any questions related to the application process and TA and RA in general. Join the webinar by clicking this link

For any additional information, please contact the Transnational Access coordinator Hannele Savela, hannele.savela(at)oulu.fi.

Call for applications for membership of the UKAAP Steering Committee:

 (Posted 18th July 2019)

The United Kingdom Arctic and Antarctic Partnership (UKAAP) was established in 2014 as a community-led initiative to bring together researchers across a full range of disciplines who are interested in the polar regions.  Although not a funding body it is tasked with ensuring that there is a strong and collective voice for polar research and encourages new engagement.

 The Partnership is supported by a Steering Committee which relies on its voluntary membership for all its activity and engagement.  Members generally serve a three year term, with the option of a second term. There are two in-person meetings a year and a small number of other ad hoc requests.

As per  the UKAAP SC terms of reference, the Committee is looking to refresh its membership and will look to appoint up to 8 new members at its next meeting towards the end of the year. The Committee is currently under-represented by women and Early Career Researchers so we would especially welcome applications from these groups. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please complete the application form and send to the UKAAP Secretary at nalm@bas.ac.uk by 30th September 2019. If you would like to find out more about UKAAP, please visit the UKAAP website or contact the Chair Professor Viv Jones (Vivienne.Jones@ucl.ac.uk ).

Reminder – submit your abstracts for the UK Arctic Science Conference – deadline is 12th July

Loughborough University will be hosting the UK Arctic Science Conference between the 11th – 13th September 2019.

During the conference we hope to bring together Arctic scientists from the UK and further afield, from all physical and social science disciplines.

The abstract submission deadline is the 12th July and we are accepting abstracts for five core themes – Marine, Terrestrial, Cryosphere, Atmosphere and Social Science.

Registration for the event is free.

More information about the conference including the link to the registration and abstract submission form can be found here: https://www.arctic.ac.uk/ukarcticconf/

The UK Polar Network is also offering a free workshop before the start of the conference on ‘Writing Successful Proposals: a guide for ECRs’. More information available here: https://polarnetwork.org/2019/07/writing-successful-proposals-a-guide-for-ecrs/

Registration closes on the 8th August. The workshop will include lunch on the 11th September and an optional evening networking session on the 10th.

Falkland Islands Future Science and Facilities

(Posted 16th May 2019)

The Falkland Island Government and SAERI are currently assessing the infrastructure and services required to fully support increased scientific and research activities both in the Falkland Islands and the wider South Atlantic region.  We are interested in your expectations and requirements for infrastructure, services and logistics, as well as gaining a better understanding of the scientific research areas that SAERI could support.  Our aim is to encourage more, and wider, use of the Falkland Islands as a base of operations and staging ground for research within this region.

Whether you are curious to see how you might be able to conduct your research on the Falkland Islands and in the wider South Atlantic or have an extensive track record of working on or around region, your insights into how this region could be made more accessible to scientists will provide valuable information about facilities that would support your work.   We are interested in hearing your experiences or perceptions of working in the Falkland Islands, including challenges, limitations and advantages, to help us understand the attraction of the region within your specific discipline.  Your feedback via the surevy (link below) will allow us to plan for the future creation of a science ‘hub’ in the Falkland Islands.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Falkland_Science

We anticipate that it will take you about 20 minutes to complete the survey and welcome you to add as much additional information, thoughts or ideas as you feel may be relevant at the end of the survey.

The information that you provide in this survey will be used exclusively by SAERI and FIG to meet the objectives detailed above. Analysis of the data collated within the survey will be summarised in the form of a report, but individual comments will remain anonymous. Any research ideas that are divulged in this survey will remain confidential.

All questions  must be completed and submitted by no later than 23:59 GMT on 31st May 2019.

The Changing Canadian Arctic Workshop

(Posted 14th May 2019)

NERC is convening a multidisciplinary workshop on behalf of the Arts & Humanities Research Council, the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council and the Economic & Social Research Council, focused on the changing Canadian Arctic in London on Wednesday 19 June 2019, and would like to invite applications to attend.

There is increasing recognition that interlinked processes require multidisciplinary responses, across both the natural system and across environmental, social, economic, engineering and cultural research disciplines. This workshop will bring together the Arctic research community to consider multidisciplinary research to enable indigenous communities to adapt to environmental change in the Arctic, and the wider socio-economic, cultural and engineering impacts of climate change.

The programme is seeking to engage researchers from a broad range of disciplines. Researchers from environmental, social and economic sciences, arts and humanities, engineering and physical sciences disciplines, and beyond, are encouraged to apply.

The workshop will be held at the Amba Hotel, The Strand, London WC2N 5HX. The workshop will start at 10:00, with tea and coffee available from 9:30. The workshop is expected to end no later than 16:00.

How to apply

To register to attend the workshop, please complete the online registration form. The deadline to register is 16:00 on 7 June 2019.

The workshop venue will hold up to 80 people. If demand exceeds venue capacity, workshop attendees will be selected using information provided on the registration form to ensure an appropriate balance of expertise and institutional representation. Applicants will be advised on whether or not they have been selected to attend by Wednesday 12 June 2019.

Further details of the workshop agenda will be circulated to attendees prior to the meeting.

The cost of attending the workshop will be the responsibility of the attendee.

Contact

For further details, please contact:

Jessica Surma
01793 411600
07925 891431

Polar Science – Perspectives from the Royal Society Global Environmental Research Committee (GERC):

(Posted 16th April 2019)

GERC is the Royal Society’s Global Environment Research Committee which is charged with advising the Royal Society, and interacting with research councils, the environmental science community and other bodies. To do this, it is undertaking a rolling series of reviews of areas of science within its remit, of which the latest one has been on polar science.

The report can be found online here and an associated blog can be found here.

BBC Radio 4 Today Programme visit to Ny-Alesund 10 – 14 March

(Posted 11th March 2019)

We’re really excited and pleased to say that the NERC Arctic Station in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, will be hosting BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme next week, including science editor Tom Feilden and presenter Martha Kearney.

Media plans are always flexible, but they are planning to cover the science teams that the Station is supporting, including from Aberystwyth, Newcastle, Manchester and BAS, as well as the Station itself and the international community there. They have also done pre-records with colleagues from Edinburgh, Exeter and beyond. You can read about the recent science supported at the Station here: https://www.arctic.ac.uk/uk-arctic-research-station/stories-from-the-field/

This will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase UK Arctic science and to convey the wider story about the UK’s investment, excellence and partnerships. Please do take the opportunity next week to promote your work and partnerships. We will be tweeting from @Arctic_Office and using the hashtag #UKinArctic

Arctic Science Summit Week 2019: 22 to 30 May 2019

(Posted 11th March 2019)

The 21st Arctic Science Summit Week, established by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), is going to be held from 22 to 30 May 2019 in Arkhangelsk. The thematic focus of the summit in 2019 is “Climate Change and Development of the Arctic Population.” The main venues for the event are the Northern Arctic Federal University and the Northern State Medical University.

Schedule for the Arctic Science Week:

  • May 22-23 – Meetings and sessions of IASC & partners
  • May 24-25 – Days of Science: speakers’ lectures, sessions, and poster presentations
  • May 26 – Day of partners’ meetings, sessions, poster presentations
  • May 27 – Business Day (presentations, sessions, the IASC medal award)
  • May 28 – Indigenous Day and Science Day (sessions and poster presentations)

To register, please visit the website: en.assw2019.science

For further information, please visit: en.assw2019.science

UK Arctic Science Conference 2019 – call for abstracts now open

(Posted 28th February 2019)

The next UK Arctic Science conference will take place 11 to 13 September 2019, hosted by Loughborough University. The call for abstracts is now open! Further information  is available here: https://www.arctic.ac.uk/ukarcticconf/

SAVE THE DATE:  British Branch International Glaciological Society meeting will be held on 4-5 September 2019 at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. The British Branch (https://www.igsoc.org/about/britishbranch/) meeting is traditionally a welcoming, engaging and lively venue to present on any aspect of glaciological research. Further deatils will be released later in the year.

NERC Arctic Research Station Open Day – 21 February 2019

(Posted 6th December 2019)

The NERC Arctic Office and the British Antarctic Survey will be jointly hosting an Arctic Station Open Day on Thursday 21 February at the Aurora Innovation Centre, British Antarctic Survey, from 1030 to 1500.

If you would like to know more about the UK’s only Arctic research facility in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, meet researchers who have worked there, discuss your research ideas with the Station Manager, Nick Cox and much much more, then this is an invaluable opportunity.

If you would like to attend, please visit  https://www.arctic.ac.uk/uk-arctic-research-station/arctic-station-open-day/ for further information, including registration details.

Call for UK Representatives to sit on the IASC Social and Human Working Group

(Posted 4th December 2018)

The NERC Arctic Office is seeking nominations for two United Kingdom representatives to the International Arctic Science Committee’s (IASC) Social and Human Working Group. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday 11 January 2019.

This is an excellent opportunity for researchers with strong social and human science interests based in the United Kingdom to engage with colleagues from over 20 other countries to: shape the priorities and activities of the Working Group; raise the profile of the Working Group within the UK community; and develop cross-cutting activities.

Details on the role, eligibility criteria and nominations process are available from the NERC Arctic Office website. Self-nominations are welcome.

Call for applications: UK-Canada Arctic Partnership Bursaries 2019

(Posted 4th December 2018)

The call for applications for the UK-Canada Arctic Partnership: Bursaries Programme 2019 is now open. The Programme provides Bursaries of up to £20,000 for UK-based researchers to join Canadian-led projects in the Canadian Arctic and High North in the 2019 field season.

The Programme is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered in collaboration with the British High Commission in Ottawa and the NERC Arctic Office. The first two years of the Bursaries Programme have seen 30 research teams from the UK join Canadian-led projects across a broad range of terrestrial, marine, atmosphere, cryosphere and social research themes.

Full details of how to apply to the Bursary Programme are listed here. All applications must be received by 1600 on Friday 18 January 2019 and will be acknowledged by email. You are strongly advised to contact the NERC Arctic Office (arctic@bas.ac.uk) to check your eligibility prior to making an application.

Call for Applications: IASC Fellowship Program 2019

(Posted 24th October 2018)

The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) in cooperation with the Association for Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) invites Early Career Scientists to apply for the 2019 IASC Fellowship Program.  The deadline for application is 1300 GMT Monday 19 November. Further information is available from the IASC website here:

https://iasc.info/outreach/news-archive/470-call-for-applications-iasc-fellowship-program-2019

INTERACT Transnational Access call now open for the 2019/2020 season

(Posted 21st August 2018)

The EU H2020 funded INTERACT (International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic) opens a call for research groups to apply for Transnational Access to 43 research stations across the Arctic and northern alpine and forest areas in Europe, Russia and North-America.

The sites represent a variety of glacier, mountain, tundra, boreal forest, peatland and freshwater ecosystems, providing opportunities for researchers from natural sciences to human dimension. Transnational Access includes free access (either physical or remote) for user groups/users to research facilities and field sites, including support for travel and logistic costs.

Overall, INTERACT provides three different modalities of access: Transnational and Remote Access that are applied through annual calls, and Virtual Access which means free access to data from stations, available at all times through the INTERACT VA single-entry point.

 The call for Transnational and Remote Access applications is open on 13th August – 12th October, 2018, for projects taking place between March 2019 and April 2020. You can find the TA/RA Call information, stations available in the call, descriptions of stations and their facilities, and registration to the INTERACCESS on-line application system on the INTERACT website.

 An on-line webinar will be held on 11th Sept at 15:00 (CEST) to provide information about the ongoing TA/RA call and for answering any questions related to the application process and TA and RA in general. A link to join the webinar, and a webinar recording to follow, will be provided on the TA/RA Call information page.  

For any additional information, please contact the Transnational Access coordinator Hannele Savela,  hannele.savela(at)oulu.fi.

UK Antarctic Science Conference 2018 – dates announced:

(Posted 21st May 2018)

Durham University will be hosting this year’s UK Antarctic Science Conference on 10th-12th September 2018 (the conference will run from Monday lunchtime to Wednesday lunchtime). The conference will include oral and poster presentations, and abstracts are invited on any aspect of Antarctic Research. 

 Further information can be found on the conference website, which will be updated shortly with details of registration, abstract submission, and accommodation booking:

https://www.dur.ac.uk/uk-antarctic-science/

 The conference dinner will take place in Hatfield College on the evening of Tuesday 11th September. Accommodation has been reserved in nearby Collingwood College. Other accommodation options are available for those who wish to make their own arrangements.

Durham is a spectacular cathedral city with a rich heritage. Narrow cobbled streets wind their way around the rocky peninsula to the majestic Norman cathedral and castle, which are a designated World Heritage Site. The city is well served by motorway access, Durham railway station and Newcastle International Airport (30 minutes by car, 1 hour by rail).

ARICE Call for Ship-Time Proposals 2018 – NOW OPEN

(Posted 9th May 2018)

The EU Project ARICE opens now a call for ship-time proposals to access the icebreakers CCGS Amundsen, RV Sikuliaq and PRV Polarstern. This call will remain open until the 5th of July 2018.  Further information is available on the EPB website here: http://www.europeanpolarboard.org/news/article/news/arice-call-for-ship-time-proposals-2018-now-open/

SAVE THE DATE: UK Arctic Science Conference, 11 to 13 September 2019, Loughborough University

(Posted 9th May 2018)

The next UK Arctic Science conference will be hosted by Loughborough University, and take place on the 11th to 13th September. Further details, including a webpage with all relevant information will be made available soon.

UK Arctic Science Conference 2017

(Posted 13th September 2017)

The UK Arctic Science Conference will be hosted by SAMS in Oban on the 19th to 21st September 2017. The Programme is now available can be downloaded from the conference webpage here: https://www.arctic.ac.uk/research/uk-arctic-science-conference-2017/

INTERACT Transnational Access Call for 2018/2019 is now open!

(Posted 13th September 2017)

The call for applications is open on 1st September-13th October 2017 for Transnational Access and Remote Access taking place between March 2018 and April 2019.

Further TA call information, stations available in the call, descriptions of stations and their facilities, and registration to the INTERACCESS on-line application system can be found from the INTERACT website.

For any additional information, please contact the Transnational Access coordinator Hannele Savela, hannele.savela(at)oulu.fi.

New UK representatives on IASC Working Groups

(Posted 29th April 2017)

The following people have been appointed to sit on the International Arctic Science Committee Working Groups following a call earlier this year:

Atmospheric Working Group:

Dr Jo Browse, Exeter University and Dr Stephen Arnold, Leeds University

Cryosphere Working Group:

Dr Richard Essery, University of Edinburgh, Dr Poul Christoffersen, University of Cambridge

Marine Working Group:

Prof Andrew Brierley, University of St Andrews and Dr Jeremy Wilkinson, BAS

Terrestrial Working Group:

Prof Phil Wookey, Heriot-Watt University ( currently Chair of the Terrestrial Working Group) and Prof Mary Edwards, University of Southampton

Social and Human Working Group:

Dr Mike Bravo, University of Cambridge

Conversations from the North – Abstract deadline extended to 14th March 2017

(Posted 8th March 2017)

Submissions are invited for the international conference being held in Aberdeen from 27-29 August 2017. Conference panel papers of up to 200 words will address five themes.

  • The Anthropocene in the Arctic?
  • Movements and Encounters of Northern Peoples in the Long Term
  • Health, Demography and Culture Change in the North
  • Land, Sovereignty and Indigenous Rights
  • Political Regimes and International Relations in the Circumpolar North

The Call for Abstracts (for both oral and poster presentations) is available here on the Conference website along with a full description of the proposed Conference panel papers.

This international Conference – Conversations from the North: Scholars of many disciplines and inhabitants of many places in dialogue with one another, with animals and plants, and with the land is being held in association with the 11th Rectors’ Forum of the University of the Arctic.

Any enquiries can be directed to thenorth@abdn.ac.uk

Call for UK representatives on IASC Working Groups

(Posted 26th January 2017)

The NERC Arctic Office is seeking nominations for United Kingdom representatives on the International Arctic Science Committee’s Atmosphere, Terrestrial, Social and Human, Cryosphere and Marine Working Groups. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nomination is 21 February 2017. Applications should be sent to arctic@bas.ac.uk. Further details about the call can be downloaded here.

UK Arctic Science Conference 2017

(Posted 25th January 2017)

The 2017 UK Arctic Science Conference  will be hosted by the Scottish Association for Marine Science in Oban on the 19th to 21st September 2017. The call for abstracts is now open. Further information about the conference including how to register and submit an abstract can be found on the Conference webpage: http://www.arctic.ac.uk/research/uk-arctic-science-conference-2017/

£10m to investigate impact of climate change on Arctic Ocean

(Posted 24th January 2017)

NERC has awarded funding for four new research projects under it’s ‘Changing Arctic Ocean: Implications for marine biology and biogeochemistry‘ research programme. These four projects will aim to investigate how life in the Arctic Ocean is coping with dramatic changes such as ocean acidification and pollution as well as sea ice loss. The four projects awarded funding are as follows:

Arctic productivity in the seasonal ice zone (Arctic PRIZE) – Principal Investigator: Dr  Finlo Cottier, SAMS

Can we detect changes in the Arctic ecosystems? – Principal Investigator: Dr Claire Mahaffey, University of Liverpool

Mechanistic understanding of the role of diatoms in the success of the Arctic calanus complex and implications for a warmer Arctic –  Principal Investigator: Professor David Pond, SAMS

The Changing Arctic Ocean Seafloor (ChAOS) – Principal Investigator: Dr Christian März, University of Leeds

For further information about the Changing Arctic Ocean Programme, and details of the  funded projects, please see the NERC website.

NERC environmental data centres – Future user needs survey

(Posted 30th November 2016)

NERC will be commissioning its data centres and associated services in 2017. As part of this process, NERC conducted an evaluation of the current performance of the data centres in July 2016. NERC would now like to understand what future services are required from its data centres. NERC is therefore inviting users and potential users of its environmental data centres to take part in a survey to help us better understand their requirements for future services.

Results from the survey will form part of the evidence assessed by an independent expert review panel. The panel will provide recommendations to NERC to inform the commissioning of our ongoing data services in 2017.

The survey is open to all users of the NERC environmental data centres and will be open until 16:00 on 6 December 2016.

To complete the Survey please follow the link to the NERC environmental data centres survey.

Further information is available from the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/about/whatwedo/engage/engagement/datacentres-survey/

INTERACT Transnational Access call now open

(Posted 7th November 2016)

The new INTERACT Transnational Access (TA) call is now open! This is for TA visits taking place between March 2017 and April 2018.

This second phase of INTERACT has recently been funded through the EU Horizon 2020 programme. This call is for TA to all 43 research stations offering Transnational Access in INTERACT, including both physical and remote access.The stations offering TA are located across the Arctic and northern alpine and forest areas in Europe, Russia and North-America. The sites represent a variety of glacier, mountain, tundra, boreal forest, peatland and freshwater ecosystems, providing opportunities for researchers from natural sciences to human dimension.

Further TA call information, stations available in the call, descriptions of stations and their facilities, and registration to the INTERACCESS on-line application system can be found on the INTERACT website – www.eu-interact.org.

Deadline: The call will close on Sunday 18th December 2016.

For additional information, please contact the Transnational Access coordinator Hannele Savela,  hannele.savela(at)oulu.fi.

New film launched – The Arctic: A Dynamic Environment

(Posted 18th October 2016)

There was fantastic support from UK-based researchers to turn the idea of a short film about the UK and Arctic science into reality. This visually compelling four minute film which shows how the range of innovative ideas, assets and international partnerships creates a dynamic and ambitious community here in the UK.

The film will get its official preview at The Royal Society event on 18 October ‘Understanding the Arctic: science, technology and international collaboration’ and  will then be available for everyone. We hope you can link to it and use it when you’re connecting with others in developing partnerships on your own research and from your institutions. The film can definitely be seen as the visual companion to the ‘United Kingdom and Arctic Science’ document mentioned above. It’s available via www.arctic.ac.uk  and through YouTube: search ‘The Arctic: A Dynamic Environment’.

To find out more about the Arctic visit: http://www.arctic.ac.uk/
To find out more about the UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnership visit: https://ukaapartnership.org/

The United Kingdom and Arctic Science

(Posted 5th October 2016)

The UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnership (UKAAP) have today launched a new short document ‘The United Kingdom and Arctic Science’.

In launching the document today, Prof. Julian Dowdeswell, the Chair of UKAAP said:

“We have a very strong story to tell on the United Kingdom’s involvement at the leading edge of Arctic science. We have some of the best scientists, universities and research centres in the world; a diverse range of assets and infrastructure; and the appetite and skills to form excellent international partnerships. The commitment from the whole of the UK community to high-quality, independent research, with strong impact, is clear. 

 In the UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnership (UKAAP), we have the privilege and responsibility to be a strong and committed voice for the polar research community. There is much to champion, but also more that, as a community, we can contribute to help tackle the most pressing Arctic questions. I saw that potential at first hand last week, when accompanying the Science Minister Jo Johnson MP to the White House Arctic Science Ministerial meeting in Washington DC. We all know that the scale of the challenge in understanding and responding to the pace of change in the Arctic requires a truly globalised effort. 

 So for all of these reasons I am very pleased to launch this document ‘The United Kingdom and Arctic Science’ which offers our vision for the Arctic research community, the reasons why we must continue to engage and the principles we think will help to build on our collective success. We do not offer it as a prescriptive manifesto, but as a way of promoting and demonstrating many of the shared values and joint aspirations of what we all know is such a vibrant and powerful network. 

 I hope you will be able to share and promote this document widely, and to use it with both existing and potential international partners in demonstrating the growing cohesiveness and strong values of our Arctic research community.”

Prof. Julian Dowdeswell, Chair UKAAP, Director, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge.

UK participation at the Arctic Circle Assembly – 7th – 9th October

(Posted 5th October 2016)

The United Kingdom research community will have a strong voice at the Arctic Circle Assembly this year. UK-based representatives will be hosting or speaking in over 15 separate sessions, there will be a special ‘United Kingdom and Arctic Science’ exhibition stand and dedicated sessions on autonomous vehicles and on working inclusively with Arctic communities.

Representatives from NOC, SAMS, University of Southampton, Royal Holloway, BAS, University of Hull, University of Lancaster, SPRI, University College London, the UK Science and Innovation Network, University of Exeter, Heriot-Watt University, University of Portsmouth and NERC Arctic Office, amongst others, will be taking part in the Assembly.

A list of sessions with UK involvement can be found here, with the full programme available on the Arctic Circle website here .

NERC Services and Facilities Community Consultation

(Posted 19th September 2016)

NERC is introducing new ways of identifying and prioritising its services and facilities portfolio over the next five to ten years. NERC is therefore inviting the research community to provide evidence of future needs, including from their current portfolio, which includes the UK Arctic Research Station.

This   consultation  provides the research community with a really important opportunity to have a say on the future of the UK Arctic Research Station in Ny-Alesund.  The consultation is open to Principal Investigators eligible to apply for grants and will close at 16:00 on 30 September 2016. To participate, please go to http://www.nerc.ac.uk/about/whatwedo/engage/engagement/services/ for further details.   The survey itself can be accessed at : https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/9Q2JLD5.

Understanding the Arctic: science, technology and international collaboration

(Posted 19th September 2016)

The NERC Arctic Office is organising an event at The Royal Society, London on Tuesday 18th October called ‘Understanding the Arctic: science, technology and international collaboration‘. The agenda is now available to download: Agenda Royal Society Arctic conference

There are still spaces available to attend this no registration fee one-day event. To apply for a place, please contact the Arctic Office at arctic@bas.ac.uk. Please note, attendance will not be possible without confirmation from the Arctic Office of a place. Deadline for registering is Thursday 6th October.

Arctic Frontiers – Final Call for Papers

(Posted 19th September 2016)

The 11th Arctic Frontiers conference will be arranged in Tromsø, Norway from Sunday 22 January to Friday 27 January 2017. The title for the 2017 conference is White space – Blue future. Call for papers closes on 20th September 2016. See the Arctic Frontiers website for further information.

Call for SPAG nominations

(Posted 15th June 2016)

NERC is seeking applications to help steer the future of the UK environmental science by joining its Strategic Programme Advisory Group (SPAG). SPAG members are central to developing and prioritising strategic research in order to deliver NERC’s strategy The Business of the Environment. The deadline for applications is 8th July 2016. Further information is available from the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/about/organisation/advisory/spag/nomination/

Request for views on the service provided by NERC’s data centres by 10th June 2016

(Posted 9th June 2016)

The Natural Environment Research Council  (NERC) is currently evaluating its data centres and seeks the views from the user community through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire should only take a few minutes and can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3SBVWT9 – deadline is 10th June 2016. A list of the data centres can be found below.
Your views are an important part of an evaluation of the quality of the service provided by the data centres, which is being done in preparation for the commissioning of NERC’s  ongoing data services. The evaluation will be conducted by an independent expert panel chaired by a member of NERC’s Science Board.
 For further information, please contact Emily Flowers (emiflo@nerc.ac.ukif you have any queries.
NERC Environmental Data Centres
  • British Oceanography Data Centre (BODC)
  • Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA)*
  • Environmental Information Data Centre (EIDC)**
  • National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC)***
  • Polar Data Centre (PDC)
* CEDA includes the British Atmospheric Data Centre (BADC), the NERC Earth Observation Data Centre (NEODC) and the UK Solar Systems Data Centre (UKSSDC)
**EIDC includes data for the Biological Records Centre (BRC); Environmental Change Network (ECN); and National River Flow Archive (NRFA)
***Based at the British Geological Survey

White House Arctic Science Ministerial

 (Posted 8th June 2016)

The United States will be hosting an Arctic Science Ministers meeting on 28 September in Washington DC. Given the UK’s strong track record in Arctic research we hope that the UK will be invited to attend. The Arctic Office has submitted an initial response to the call for evidence, in consultation with others. This is very much a first cut and there are opportunities to refine and add to the  – please let the Arctic Office know what you think. You can also submit evidence and suggestions directly via www.arctic.gov/aesc/ministerial.html . Further updates will be posted as this develops.

Arctic Science Ministerial – initial contribution from the United Kingdom (pdf)

NERC Advanced Training Course: A Skills Framework for Delivering Safe and Effective Fieldwork in the Polar Regions

(Posted 20th April 2016)

Course Dates: 24th August 2016 to 9th September 2016

Deadline for applications: 4pm, Monday 25th April 2016

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is offering 16 PhD students and Early Career Researchers (need to be UK registered) a unique opportunity to gain practical skills for working safely and effectively in the polar regions. A short course, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), will consist of two parts – theoretical work in Cambridge followed by on the ice experience in Svalbard. Leading operational polar experts and researchers from BAS will guide this seven day course, teaching participants to translate exciting scientific ideas into safe, achievable and effective field plans.  For further information, including how to apply and eligibility rules, can be found here:

https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/opportunity-for-on-the-ice-experience-open-to-phd-students-and-early-career-researchers/

SCAR-COMNAP-APECS Fellowship Application Webinar

(Posted 6th April 2016)

Date: 18th April 2016

Time: 1900 UTC

To register:
URL:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2658660171491906562
Webinar ID: 100-249-219

Participants will receive an email with the log-in link for the session once they have registered.

Details:

Preparing a successful fellowship application is a skill.  Often, lack of success with applications is not due to a poor research idea but comes down to the inability to express clearly and confidently, in writing, your research to someone else.  Everyone’s writing skills can be improved and be made more effective.  This mentoring activity is designed to help early career persons with developing their fellowship proposal writing skills. It is particularly meant for young researchers in countries with a small or just developing Antarctic research community that may not have adequate mentoring in their home institutions.

Webinar Agenda:

Introduction to the SCAR/COMNAP Fellowships programme
Personal reflection by past Fellow on experience and impact of programme
Growth of programmes and current expectations
Assessment criteria for the programmes
What makes a successful application
Things to avoid
A to panel for advice on proposal writing

Provisional speakers and panel members:

Prof Karin Lochte, Director, Alfred Wegener Institute, SCAR Vice President for CBET
Dr Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, Executive Secretary, COMNAP
Dr Mahlon (Chuck) Kennicutt II, ex-President of SCAR
Dr Kelly Kenison Falkner, Director, Division of Polar Programs, NSF
Prof Jane Francis, Director, British Antarctic Survey
Dr Renuka Badhe, Executive Secretary, European Polar Board, ex-SCAR Executive Officer
Dr Gerlis Fugmann, Executive Director, APECS
Dr David Walton, Editor, Antarctic Science
Prof Anna Wahlin, co-Chair SOOS
Dr Jenny Baeseman, SCAR Executive Director
Dr Eoghan Griffin, SCAR Executive Officer

For more details go to http://www.scar.org/2016/849-fellowship-application-webinar

We look forward to hearing from you on the webinar!

Eoghan Griffin
SCAR Executive Officer / Fellowship administrator

-on behalf of
Karin Lochte, SCAR Vice-President for Capacity Building
Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, COMNAP Executive Secretary
Jenny Baeseman, SCAR Executive Director
Gerlis Fugmann, APECS Executive Director

Invitation to NERC Webinar on national capability research

(Posted 22nd March 2016)

On 7 April, NERC will be hosting a live webinar showcasing our new investments in multi-disciplinary national capability research within our centres. This will provide an opportunity for the wider academic community to learn more about these programmes and help to generate ideas for strategic research for submission to the NERC Strategic Programme Advisory Group (SPAG).

NERC has challenged its centres to develop a set of core multi-disciplinary programmes which capitalise on centre expertise across the breadth of NERC’s remit. These multi-centre programmes are expected to commence from April 2016. These new collaborative programmes redefine problems outside individual centre boundaries and will provide outcomes based on a new understanding of complex situations. The national capability funds are not new or additional money; the multi-centre programmes are focused plans as to what centres intend to do with a portion of their existing allocations over the next five years.

During the webinar, leads for each programme will present an overview of their research plans and anticipated outcomes. This will allow participants to understand the significance of this strategically-important work, and inform individual plans for strategic research for which these programmes could form the platform.

Programme for the day

09:15 Webinar open, people register and join.

09:30-09:40 Introduction and format of webinar

09:40-10:10 Ocean regulation of climate through Heat & carbon sequestration and transports (ORCHESTRA)

10:20-10:50 Land ocean carbon transfer (LOCATE)

11:00-11:30 The north atlantic climate System: integrated study (ACSIS)

11:40-12:10 UK Earth system modelling project (UKESM)

12:20-12:50 Achieving sustainable agricultural systems (ASSIST)

12:50 Close.

Registration for this event is via the online registration form . Please note that, as numbers will be limited, we would encourage colleagues to participate together where possible, providing one contact point for registering for this ‘shared access’.

Please also note that the event will be recorded, so if you are unable to participate on the day, you will be able to access the slides later from the NERC web site.

For further information, please contact Irena Witts: iwi@nerc.ac.uk

UK Antarctic Science Conference 2016

(Posted 24th February 2016)

The 2016 UK Antarctic Science Conference will take place at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK 5th to 7th July 2016.

This will also include a UK Polar Network (part of APECS – the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists) event (4th–5th July) and a workshop on Biases in Climate Models (7th July).

Online booking is now available. Earlybird registration (£60) is available until Friday 20th May. This includes the UKPN event (for early career scientists), refreshments and a conference BBQ.  Final registration deadline is 17th June (£100).

Abstracts can be submitted until Friday 15th April.

Accommodation on campus may be booked on the website at £40 per night B&B.

The website for registering, accommodation and abstract submission is:

http://store.uea.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=2&deptid=28&catid=17&prodid=53

Integrating Arctic Research – a Roadmap for the future

(Posted 23rd February 2016)

The official outcomes of the Third International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III) have been published online. The report, entitled Integrating Arctic Research – A Roadmap for the Future” presents the key messages that emerged from the 2 year ICARP III process.

Initiated by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) with engagement from its partners, ICARP III provided a process for integrating priorities for forward-looking, collaborative, interdisciplinary Arctic research and observing, and for establishing an inventory of recent and current synthesis documents and major developments in Arctic research.

The report identifies the most important Arctic research needs and provides a roadmap for research priorities and partnerships. The ICARP process points the way for scientists to take action, in cooperation with rights holders and stakeholders, to produce results that will have global impact. It concludes that the role of the Arctic in the global system, the prediction of future climate dynamics and ecosystem responses, and improved understanding of the vulnerability and resilience of Arctic environments and societies must be prioritized.

For more information please see the enclosed report and visit the ICARP III website: http://icarp.iasc.info/.

Invitation to online consultation on European polar research objectives

(Posted 23rd February 2016)

The EU-PolarNet consortium has compiled a set of twelve overarching European research priorities for the Polar Regions, which have been identified based on national polar strategies, international consortia and major scientific clusters. Each topic includes several key-questions, which in turn are linked to the associated societal challenges.

EU-PolarNet invites you to share your input to the compilation of research priorities and related societal challenges by participating in an online consultation to help identify if the compilation is complete and if the societal relevance is well addressed.

For more information about the compilation and to participate in the public consultation, please follow this link: http://www.eu-polarnet.eu/project-themes/polar-research-for-science-and-society/public-consultation-on-research-priorities.html

For more information, please contact info@eu-polarnet.eu or visit the website www.eu-polarnet.eu

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Antarctic Science bursaries

(Posted 25th January 2016)

The Antarctic Science International Bursary are awards of up to £5000 made annually to sport the development of the careers of promising young scientists, working in any field of ntarctic science, and from any country. The purpose of the award is to broaden the scope of an existing research project, especially for postdoctoral studies, though:
a) funding extra field or laboratory work
b) purchasing/contributing towards the cost of a key piece of equipment, or
c) funding international collaboration
Further information can be found at the following website:
Deadline for applications is 31st March 2016
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NERC’s new £200m polar research ship contract signed by Cammell Laird

(Posted 23rd November 2015)

World-famous shipyard Cammell Laird in Birkenhead saw off international competition to build the state-of-the-art vessel, which will help maintain the UK’s position at the forefront of climate and ocean research.

Bosses met to sign the contract late on Friday 19 November and detailed design will get underway immediately. Cammell Laird is expected to cut steel in June 2016 and deliver the next-generation polar research vessel ready for operation by NERC’s British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in 2019.

The research vessel will operate in both Antarctica and the Arctic, and will be able to endure up to 60 days in sea-ice to enable scientists to gather more observations and data.

You can read the full story on the NERC website:http://www.nerc.ac.uk/press/releases/2015/12-nprv/

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Changing Arctic Ocean – Announcement of Opportunity: Workshop – 5th November 2015

(Posted 26th October 2015)

A workshop will be held on the 5 November 2015 in order to facilitate the development of high quality proposals that will effectively use the planned programme cruises and maximise collaboration opportunities.

The objectives of the workshops are:

  • to ensure the research community is aware of the NERC National Capability available to support research, such as facilities, infrastructure and modelling, as well as collaboration opportunities with potential partners
  • to discuss science challenges and possible approaches to undertaking the research
  • to discuss opportunities for national and international collaboration.

The workshop will be held at Jurys Inn, Birmingham. The workshop will start at 10:00 with coffee and tea available from 09:30. The workshop is expected to end no later than 16:00. The deadline to register is 12:00 on 30th October 2015. Please see the website for further details and to register for the workshop:

http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/funded/programmes/arcticocean/news/ao-workshop/

Changing Arctic Ocean – Announcement of Opportunity: Outline Proposals

(Posted 26th October 2015)

Outline proposals are invited under a new research programme – The Changing Arctic Ocean: Implication for marine biology & biogeochemistry. Closing date for proposals is 16:00 (GMT) on 8th December 2015)

This five year programme aims to understand how change in the physical environment (ice and ocean) will affect the large-scale ecosystem structure and biogeochemical functioning of the Arctic Ocean, the potential major impacts and provide projections for future ecosystem services.

£8·4m is available to fund up to four research projects to address the aims of the programme and due to the international nature of Arctic research strong international partnership is anticipated.

Please see the Announcement of Opportunity below for full details.

Upcoming deadline: call for ideas for highlight topics – 19th October 2015

(Posted 13th October 2015)

NERC is inviting the environmental science community to submit new ideas for strategic research. NERC is seeking ideas for research challenges that should be priorities for strategic research investment through highlight topics. NERC would welcome ideas from both researchers and those who use environmental science research.

Ideas for highlight topics should be submitted by 19 October 2015.

New guidance is available to explain what we are looking for, and how to submit ideas. The Strategic Programme Advisory Group (SPAG) will use these ideas to develop proposals for new highlight topics.

The aim of this process is to capture and build on ideas for excellent strategic science coming directly from the environmental science community. NERC first asked for ideas for strategic research last year, and 150 ideas were received by the cut-off date of 31 August 2014. NERC would like to thank all those who submitted ideas at that time. The ideas spanned all three of NERC’s strategic challenges (benefitting from natural resources, resilience to environmental hazards and managing environmental change) and covered a broad range of environmental science disciplines. Ideas were received from research and user communities, and from individuals and groups.

Cut-off date for ideas for highlight topics: 19 October 2015

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A workshop on the UK’s contribution to the Year of Polar Prediction

(Posted 12th October 2015)

You are invited to a workshop on 9th-10th November 2015, to discuss the UK’s contribution to the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP; http://www.polarprediction.net/yopp.html).  The aim of the workshop is to review the current status of environmental prediction in the polar regions, and beyond, on timescales from hours to seasons and discuss how the UK can contribute to a major international effort to improve prediction.  The focus of the workshop will be on physical processes in the polar regions that are poorly understood, observed or parameterized and how these limitations impact predictability. We will discuss the challenges involved in developing improved environmental prediction services, from short-term weather forecasts to seasonal sea-ice predictions.

A number of invited speakers have been arranged and there will also be time for general discussions. The workshop is scheduled to run from 1 pm Monday 9th November to 1 pm Tuesday 10th November in two Exeter venues. Day one will provide an overview and background to the YOPP, while day two will focus on discussing specific scientific challenges and how the UK can contribute. The workshop is open to all and free to attend, but no travel funding will be available. An informal dinner will be arranged for the Monday evening.

 Please notify your interest in attending by email to Chawn Harlow (chawn.harlow@metoffice.gov.uk) by 19th October 2015. As places are limited invitees will be decided by a very short application (a one paragraph track record, indicating your interests in improving polar predictability and referencing relevant publications). Please include this paragraph with your email application and please also indicate if you plan to attend both days or just one. The workshop is being organised by Chawn Harlow and Ed Blockley (Met Office) and Ian Renfrew (UEA and YOPP Scientific Steering Group).

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The Changing Arctic Ocean:  Implications for Marine Biology and Biogeochemistry

(Posted 9th October 2015)

NERC would like to announce the indicative timing of some key dates for its new strategic research programme ‘The Changing Arctic Ocean: Implications for Marine Biology and Biogeochemistry’.  These are available on the new programme webpage together with background information about the programme:

http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/funded/programmes/arcticocean/

It is anticipated that an Announcement of Opportunity for outline grant proposals will be published on this site in late October and a workshop will be held on 5th November 2015.

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Advanced Training Short Courses: Announcement of Opportunity 2016-2017

(Posted 7th October 2015)

Proposals are invited for the 2016-17 Advanced Training: Short Courses (ATSC) training scheme. Training funded as part of this scheme must be completed by 31 March 2017.

This call invites proposals offering training in a variety of forms that fall both within the NERC science remit as well as addressing one or more of the Priority Training Areas contained within the ATSC Announcement of Opportunity document. Training must prioritise NERC-funded PhD students or develop the skills of environmental sciences early career researchers (working within academic and/or non-academic settings) for future careers in research and other contexts.

NERC has a total budget of £1m for this scheme. The maximum applicants can apply for to run a training course is £100k although it is expected that most applicants will request £20k-£50k. Deadline for submission of proposals is 16:00 on 12th November 2015.

For further details, please see the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/advanced/atsc/ao-atsc16-17/

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NERC Student photography and article competition

(Posted 7th October 2015)

The NERC student photography and short article writing competition aims to recognise and encourage effective and inspiring science communication by NERC students. This competition is open to all current NERC PhD students. Applicants must submit a short written article and/or a photograph to be eligible for the competition awards which will be presented at the Environment YES – external link final, Sofitel, London on 10 December 2015, to which all winners will be invited. For full details of the competition, please go to the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/skills/postgrad/currentstudents/photocomp/

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InBev-Baillet Latour Antarctica Fellowship

(Posted 4th August 2015)

The InBev-Baillet Latour Antarctica Fellowship provides young scientists with the opportunity to conduct research in East Antarctica operating out of the Princess Elizabeth Antarctica research station. A joint initiative of the InBev-Baillet Latour Fund and the International Polar Foundation, the €150,000 research grant aims to promote scientific excellence in Antarctica and underscores the crucial role polar science plays in furthering our understanding of the Earth and how it functions.

The Fellowship is open to researchers studying for a PhD or within 10 years of completing their PhD from any country around the world.

Applicants should submit an original research proposal for a  project which will include field campaigns operating from the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station (located in Dronning Maud Land in East Antarctica at 71.57°S 23.20°E).

The next call for proposals will open in October 2015. This will be for the 2016-2018 InBev-Baillet Latour Antarctica Fellowship. If you have any questions about the InBev-Baillet Latour Antarctica Fellowship, please contact: fellowship@polarfoundation.org

Please note that in 2008 and 2010, the Fellowship was only open to researchers registered at a Belgian University or research institute or other research facility in Belgium. Since 2012 the Fellowship has been opened to researchers based anywhere in the world.

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NERC invests £16m in Arctic Ocean change research

(Posted 29th July 2015)

NERC has announced today that it is investing in research to study the effects of dramatic changes in Arctic ice cover over the last three decades on the Arctic region. The new Programme, ‘The Changing Arctic Ocean: Implications for Marine Biology and Biogeochemistry’ will explore the effects of changes to the ice cover on the marine ecosystem and the associated biogeochemistry of the Arctic Ocean. For more on this story, please see the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/latest/news/nerc/arctic-ocean/

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UK Arctic Science Conference – Abstract submission deadline extended to 31st July 2015

(Posted 16th July 2015)

The UK Arctic Science Conference will be held at the University of Sheffield, 16th to 18th September 2015.  We would like to inform you that the deadline for the submission of abstracts has now been extended to Friday 31st July.  To register for the Conference and submit an abstract, please go to: https://secure.antarctica.ac.uk/conference/ukarctic2015/

As part of the Conference, Dr John Clayburn will be giving an invited talk focusing on Greenland on Thursday 17th September and the UK Polar Network have been busy organising events during and after the conference – details of these events will be published shortly.

Further information about the conference can be found at http://www.arctic.ac.uk/research/uk-arctic-science-conference-2015/  including links to accommodation and travel options.

Please contact Prof Grant Bigg (Conference Organiser) or Nicola Munro (Conference Administrator) if you have any questions or go to the Conference webpages for further information.

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COMNAP ‘Antarctic Roadmap Challenges’ (ARC) Project – Survey 2 now open

(Posted 15th July 2015)

The COMNAP “Antarctic Roadmap Challenges” (ARC) Project – Survey 2 is now open!

Over 500 people accessed ARC Survey 1 and the results are now the basis of a second survey.

ARC Survey 2 is now open for community input: https://www.comnap.aq/Projects/SitePages/ARC.aspx

Take the ARC Survey 2…it should only take 5  minutes of your time.

Even if you did not participate in ARC Survey 1…now, is your chance to provide your input into the ARC project. WE NEED YOUR INPUT…please!

Background
In 2014, the first SCAR Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Horizon Scan assembled Antarctic scientists, policy makers, leaders, and visionaries to identify the most important research questions that will likely be addressed by research in and from the Antarctic over the next two decades. The result was the publication of a list of 80 of the most important Antarctic research questions identified by the community. The list was published in Antarctic Science (Kennicutt et al, 2014) as “A roadmap for Antarctic and Southern Ocean science for the next two decades and beyond”.

Many of the national Antarctic programs are now developing their own strategies on how they will deliver their science programmes in the future. Delivery of such a  “roadmap” is not without its challenges.

Therefore COMNAP is leading the second stage in the process within the ARC Project in order to assist national Antarctic programs to understand the challenges and develop ways to address the challenges, and share any innovation or access to such technology.  The ARC project focuses on answering the question: “How will national Antarctic programs meet the challenges of delivery of their Antarctic science in the next 20 to 30 years?”

Using the SCAR Horizon Scan roadmap as an indication of future Antarctic science, a review of the 80 questions proposed reveals a number of challenges for national Antarctic programs of a practical and technical nature. The COMNAP ARC Project will focus on three of the challenges identified: Technology, access and extraordinary logistics requirements.

HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE YOUR INPUT…is by way of the community surveys.

The first survey is now closed with over 500 responses. It focused on understanding critical technology challenges.  The results of Survey 1 feed into the questions in Survey 2 which look at funding, logistics, access and international cooperation challenges.

Enter your responses by the deadline of 31 July 2015.

Any questions?

Email one of the COMNAP ARC Project co-conveners:
Chuck Kennicutt mckennicutt@gmail.com
Yeadong Kim ydkim@kopri.re.kr
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Opportunity for polar scientists to join UK National Committee for Antarctic Research

(Posted 25th June 2015)

The UK National Committee for Antarctic Research (UKNCAR) would like to invite expressions of interest from members of the UK polar community to join the committee. The UKNCAR promotes and co-ordinates the UK’s interest in the activities of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and other areas of international Antarctic scientific activity. It is a committee under the auspices of the Royal Society, the national body representing the UK’s interests to the International Council for Science (ICSU). See http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/UKNCAR/ for more information about UKNCAR activity.

The UKNCAR is a multidisciplinary committee with members representing UK scientific interests in Antarctica. Committee members are responsible for consulting with their disciplinary colleagues active in Antarctic research, to ensure that the Committee is informed by community science activities, concerns and potential future developments. Members include the UK Office Holders of SCAR, representatives appointed to the SCAR Standing Scientific Groups (SSGs), and the UK Delegate and Alternative Delegate to SCAR. The current Chair is Professor David Hopkins. Other members are co-opted from the UK Community to represent scientific interests not already adequately represented by the aforementioned members. The term of office is 3 years (April to April) with the possibility of one further consecutive term of office.

UKNCAR meets once a year at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge. Travel expenses cannot be covered by UKNCAR, so attendees are required to pay their own costs for attendance. We are seeking to fill three places on the committee, starting in April 2016. Members will be selected by the UKNCAR. We aim for the committee to include expertise in as many areas of polar science as possible, from a good cross-section of UK science institutions. We expect to make a further call for members each year. Unsuccessful nominations from each year are encouraged to apply again. Experience of SCAR working groups would be helpful, and we welcome applications from those enthusiastic about fostering polar science within the UK community. The discipline member on the UKNCAR committee would be expected to represent the UK at biennial international SCAR business meetings (very limited travel expenses are available).

If you are interested, please send an email to jennifer.jackson@bas.ac.uk<mailto:jennifer.jackson@bas.ac.uk> explaining briefly why you are interested in joining the UKNCAR committee, including a short (<1 page) CV and what area(s) of expertise you could offer. Deadline of Monday 29th June 2015. If you are not sure whether this is for you, informal enquiries may be made to David Hopkins at david.hopkins@rau.ac.uk<mailto:david.hopkins@rau.ac.uk>.

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CONIYCT-NERC international research projects call

(Posted 25th June 2015)

CONICYT-NERC international research projects call: Determining the impacts of ice loss and deglaciation on marine and terrestrial ecosystems in a region of rapid climate change

NERC is joining Chilean funding agency CONICYT’s international co-operation programme, committing £1·8m in a ground breaking call working with Chile on a bi-lateral basis between funding agencies for the first time.

The focus of the Chile-UK partnership will be on improving our understanding of the impacts of environmental change on terrestrial and marine ecosystems from southern Chile to the Antarctic Peninsula. Proposals will be expected to study multiple sites within the region.

For further details including how to apply please see the NERC website http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/currentopportunities/conicytnerc-call/

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Fix03 – 2nd call for free access to European ocean observatories

(Posted 28th May 2015)

Deadline for proposals: 20th of July 2015

Website: http://www.fixo3.eu/tna/

Research organizations and marine technology companies are invited to access 15 ocean observatories to conduct scientific studies or to test technology prototypes with full financial and logistics support. The submission process is now open until the 20th of July 2015. All material and guidelines for submission are now available on http://www.fixo3.eu/tna/

As part of FixO3 activities, ‘Transnational Access (TNA)’ is about supporting external users with coordinated access and full logistics support at no cost to the user for 14 open-ocean observatories and 1 shallow water test site, available to successful applicants. To illustrate the opportunity and practicalities, you are invited to visit the results of the 1st TNA call on the FixO3 website where selected proposal abstracts are also available.

Observatory locations range from the polar regions of the Antarctic and Arctic, to the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea with a choice of seafloor, mid-water and surface infrastructures with varying scientific focus due to each location’s characteristics.

These observatories were selected as they offer the broadest scientific and technological capabilities for multidisciplinary observations such as atmosphere-ocean interactions at the sea surface and processes in the water column and seafloor. Gliders are also available for some of the sites. The observatories address a wide range of disciplines such as biology, biogeochemistry, chemistry, physics and geology.

For more information please visit http://www.fixo3.eu/tna/; email the FixO3 TNA office at fixo3.tna@plocan.eu or email the FixO3 Project Manager at fixo3@noc.ac.uk

FixO3 is a Seventh Framework Programme project funded by the European Commission

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ASC logo 2015_FINALReminder: UK Arctic Science Conference 2015: Registration and Call for abstracts now open

(posted 28th May 2015)

Reminder: Call for abstracts for the 2015 UK Arctic Science Conference  is now open!   Please see http://www.arctic.ac.uk/research/uk-arctic-science-conference-2015/ for further information.

The Conference will take place from Wednesday 16th September to Friday 18th September 2015 and will be hosted by The University of Sheffield. This three day conference aims to bring together UK Arctic scientists of all natural and social science disciplines to present and discuss recent findings. We welcome presentations on:

  • Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
  • Terrestrial Ecology
  • Arctic Oceanography
  • Ice-Ocean Interaction
  • Landscape Processes and Dynamics
  • Arctic Climate
  • Terrestrial Cryosphere: Snow and ice – past and present
  • Arctic Change – implications for society and culture

Important dates:

Abstract Submission deadline: Friday 17th July 2015

Registration deadline: Friday 28th August 2015

 Conference Contacts:

Local Organising Committee Chair: Professor Grant Bigg – grant.bigg@sheffield.ac.uk (University of Sheffield)

Conference registration point of contact: Nicola Munro – arctic@bas.ac.uk (NERC Arctic Office)

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date     ASSW 2015 – Toyama Conference Statement – Integrating Arctic Research: A Roadmap for the Future

(Posted 7th May 2015)

A statement  from the recent Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) Conference in Toyama, Japan has been released and can be found on the ASSW 2015 website: http://www.assw2015.org/

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Arctic in Rapid Transition (ART) Priority Sheets of Future Arctic Marine and Coastal Research

(Posted 22nd April 2015)

The Arctic in Rapid Transition (ART) network developed seven priority sheets of future Arctic marine and coastal research from an international early and mid career scientists’ perspective. They are now ready for download from the ART (http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/art/background/publications/art-priority-sheets) and ISTAS (http://istas.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/11) websites.

The seven ART priority sheets comprise perspectives on ‘Arctic Biodiversity’, ‘Arctic Oceanography’, ‘Physical Processes in Sea Ice, ‘Arctic Land-Ocean Interactions, ‘Paleoceanographic Time Series from the Arctic, ‘Proxy Calibration and Verification’, and ‘Law in the Arctic’.

Background information:

The seven ART priority sheets are the product of the second international science workshop ISTAS (Integrating spatial and temporal scales in the changing Arctic System: towards future research prioritieshttp://istas.sciencesconf.org/) that was jointly organized in October 2014 by the Arctic in Rapid Transition (ART) network, the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS and APECS France), and the European Institute for Marine Studies (IUEM, Brest, France). During this workshop, future Arctic research priorities were discussed with regard to the natural variability of the Arctic marine and coastal systems over various spatial and temporal scales. One of the main priorities for future Arctic research includes the need to further interdisciplinary studies of the Arctic marine system in order to improve the knowledge on the modern and past Arctic Ocean’s physical dynamics, biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems, and thus to help predicting future scenarios in the high northern latitudes.

The priority sheets are one of the ART network’s contributions to the ICARP III conference in Toyama, Japan in April 2015, fostering an improved understanding of the presently changing Arctic system as a whole in future Arctic research.

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Pre-announcement of a joint NERC / AHRC / ESRC call on Managing the Environment to Improve Human health and wellbeing

 (Posted 8th April 2015)

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), are planning a major new investment as part of the Valuing Nature Programme.

The new call will provide an opportunity for natural and social scientists, and arts and humanities researchers to form substantial interdisciplinary research collaborations which aim to increase understanding of the role biodiversity and ecosystem processes play in human health and wellbeing. The focus of the call will on the themes of:

•         Natural hazards and extreme events;
•         The exposure of people to vector-borne diseases and marine toxins;
•         Health improvements associated with urban ecosystems.

Further details are available on the NERC website at:
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/funded/programmes/valuingnature/news/pre-jointcall/

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ASC logo 2015_FINALReminder: UK Arctic Science Conference 2015: Registration and Call for abstracts now open

(posted 31st March 2015)

We would like to announce that the call for abstracts for the 2015 UK Arctic Science Conference  is now open!   Please see http://www.arctic.ac.uk/research/uk-arctic-science-conference-2015/ for further information.

The Conference will take place from Wednesday 16th September to Friday 18th September 2015 and will be hosted by The University of Sheffield. This three day conference aims to bring together UK Arctic scientists of all natural and social science disciplines to present and discuss recent findings. We welcome presentations on:

  • Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
  • Terrestrial Ecology
  • Arctic Oceanography
  • Ice-Ocean Interaction
  • Landscape Processes and Dynamics
  • Arctic Climate
  • Terrestrial Cryosphere: Snow and ice – past and present
  • Arctic Change – implications for society and culture

Professor Grete Hovelsrud of the Nordland Research Institute will give an invited talk on the Arctic change impact theme. Details to follow.

Important dates:

Abstract Submission deadline: Friday 17th July 2015

Registration deadline: Friday 28th August 2015

 Conference Contacts:

Local Organising Committee Chair: Professor Grant Bigg – grant.bigg@sheffield.ac.uk (University of Sheffield)

Conference registration point of contact: Nicola Munro – arctic@bas.ac.uk (NERC Arctic Office)

Side meetings:

 Meeting: UK Sea ice group meeting

Date: After lunch on Tuesday 15th September to midday Wednesday 16th September (Time to be confirmed)

Meeting: The Challenger Society AGM 2015

Date: Midday Wednesday 16th September 2015 (straight after the UK sea-ice group meeting)

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SOOS WEEK  (8 – 12 June 2015)

(posted 31st March 2015)

The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) is holding two open international workshops alongside the annual Scientific Steering Committee and Data Management meetings, all to be hosted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania (IMAS-UTas), Hobart, Australia.

1) Assessing the State of the Climate of the Southern Ocean

2) Implementing a Southern Ocean Observing System

More information at http://soos.aq/news/current-news/205-soosweek

Numbers are limited so please register your participation at http://www.conferencedesign.com.au/soos2015/ as soon as possible.

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The COMNAP ‘Antarctic Roadmap Challenges’ (ARC) Project

(posted 23rd March 2015)

In 2014, the first SCAR Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Horizon Scan assembled Antarctic scientists, policy makers, leaders, and visionaries to identify the most important research questions that will likely be addressed by research in and from the Antarctic over the next two decades. The result was the publication of a list of 80 of the most important Antarctic research questions identified by the community. The list was published in Antarctic Science (Kennicutt et al, 2014) as “A roadmap for Antarctic and Southern Ocean science for the next two decades and beyond”.

Many of the national Antarctic programs are now developing their own strategies on how they will deliver their science programmes in the future. Delivery of such a “roadmap” is not without its challenges.

Therefore COMNAP is leading the second stage in the process within the ARC Project in order to assist national Antarctic programs to understand the challenges and develop ways to address the challenges, and share any innovation or access to such technology. The ARC project focuses on answering the question: “How will national Antarctic programs meet the challenges of delivery of their Antarctic science in the next 20 to 30 years?”

Using the SCAR Horizon Scan roadmap as an indication of future Antarctic science, a review of the 80 questions proposed reveals a number of challenges for national Antarctic programs of a practical and technical nature. The COMNAP ARC Project will focus on three of the challenges identified: Technology, access and extraordinary logistics requirements.

HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE YOUR INPUT…is by way of two community surveys.

The first survey is ready for your input. It is focused on understanding critical technology challenges. We invite wide input from a range of disciplines (science and non-science) and backgrounds.

To take the survey, go to: https://www.comnap.aq/Projects/SitePages/ARC.aspx

Enter your responses by the deadline of 15 April 2015.

A second survey will be launched in May 2015 which will focus on the remaining challenges. You can participate in both surveys, or only one, but please participate.

Any queries, please  email one of the COMNAP ARC Project co-conveners:

Chuck Kennicutt mckennicutt@gmail.com<mailto:mckennicutt@gmail.com>

Yeadong Kim ydkim@kopri.re.kr<mailto:ydkim@kopri.re.kr>

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nerc-logo  Announcement of Opportunity: The Changing Arctic Ocean scoping group

(posted 17th March 2015)

NERC invites applications to join a scoping group that will develop the science case for a potential strategic research programme on ‘The Changing Arctic Ocean – Implications for marine biology and biogeochemistry’. Please visit http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/funded/news/ao-ocean/ for further information.

Deadline for applications is 30th March 2015.

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The Royal Meteorological Society (RmetS) Student Conference

(Posted 16th March 2015)

The Royal Meteorological Society (RmetS) student conference committee would like to welcome you to this year’s conference. The event takes place from the 1-3rd July 2015 at the University of Birmingham. This annual conference provides an excellent opportunity for PhD and Masters students to present their research in a relaxed atmosphere. The theme of the conference is weather and climate, and we are taking abstracts from numerous research fields including; cloud and microphysics, oceanography, paleoclimate, polar interactions and where art meets meteorology. The theme is broad, and covers many areas- so please send abstracts, even if you are not sure which session is best. There will be guest speakers, oral and poster presentations, and ice-breaker activities and meals. This year there will also be a photography competition!

For more information please visit the website: http://www.rmets.org/events/student-conference-2015 and see the attached poster.

Abstract submission closes April 13th, and registration closes 25th May.

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INTERACT: Call open for transnational access to four North-American sites in the INTERACT network – deadline 31st March 2015

(Posted 16th March 2015)

Four Canadian and U.S. partners in INTERACT open a call for transnational access for European-based research groups to conduct research at two Canadian and two Alaskan field stations: The CEN Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik and Kluane Lake Reseach Station in Canada, and The University of Alaska Fairbanks Toolik Field Station and the Barrow Environmental Observatory in Alaska, U.S. The access to the Canadian sites is supported by CEN and AINA, and the access to the Alaskan sites is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

The support includes access to station facilities and support for travel and freight costs. The research should be conducted in 2015; the stations are open year around.

Eligibility:

Research groups where the group leader and majority of the group members are from a EU Member State or Associated State are eligible to apply for access in this call. 

How to apply:

E-mail your research proposal (see attached instructions, pdf) and CV by March 31st, 2015, to INTERACT Transnational Access coordinator Hannele Savela, hannele.savela(at)oulu.fi. The evaluation of the proposals will be conducted by the INTERACT Transnational Access Board in consultation with the field stations. The evaluation will be based on scientific merit, feasibility and appropriateness. The applicants will be notified about the grant decisions by May 15th, 2015.

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nerc-logo International Opportunities Fund – Announcement of opportunity: April 2015 call

(Posted 16th March 2015)

Closing date for full proposals 30 April 2015 at 16:00 BST

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is inviting proposals to its International Opportunities Fund (IOF). The IOF scheme provides resources to NERC-supported researchers to allow them to forge long-term partnerships with overseas scientists that add value to current NERC-funded science. IOF grants are pump-priming, to help stimulate novel research collaborations. Mature research collaborations should apply to NERC’s Standard or Large Grant schemes, which allow for overseas project partnerships, or to other appropriate sources of funding.

Please visit the website for full details: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/partnerships/international/iof/news/ao2015/

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MSc- and BSc- projects at DMI

(Posted 16th March 2015)

DMI (Danish Meteorological Institute) have put together a catalogue presenting the ideas that researchers at FU (DKC, CAO and CMM), COI and TD  have for MSc and BSc projects.  Some of the descriptions are in Danish and some are in English. If any of the projects are of interest, please contact the relevant person, listed in the catalogue. Further information on general research at DMI can be found here: www.research.dmi.dk

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2016-abisko-ppfs2

Polar Prediction School – Call for Expressions of Intent

(Posted 4th March 2015)

The WWRP/WCRP/Bolin Centre Polar Prediction School that will be held at the Abisko Field Station in Arctic Sweden from 5-15 April 2016 sponsored by WWRP, WCRP, and the Bolin Center.  The school is part of the WWRP Polar Prediction Project and the WCRP Polar Climate Predictability Initiative.

This course on Polar Prediction will provide training for 30 PhD and early career post-doctoral polar scientists, focusing on topics such as: polar mesoscale atmospheric processes; sea ice prediction, near term ensemble prediction, and seasonal-to-decadal climate variability and prediction in the polar regions. The program will combine lectures on key areas relevant for polar prediction and a number of field observation and modelling exercises to foster an interactive learning environment.

Those interested in this school should fill out the Expression of Interest form by 15 May 2015. You can find the form here: http://www.climate- cryosphere.org/wcrp/pcpi/ meetings/abisko-pp-2016/ expression-of-interest

For more information on the school, please visit http://www.climate- cryosphere.org/wcrp/pcpi/ meetings/abisko-pp-2016. For any questions, please contact Jonny Day  – j.j.day@reading.ac.uk

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nerc-logoHave your say: NERC’s 50th anniversary poll

(Posted 3rd March 2015)

2015 is NERC’s 50th anniversary year and to help mark it NERC are polling the nation to find out what you think is the most important environmental science discovery of the past 50 years and what the biggest challenge will be over the next 50 years. The poll is open to everyone! Further information can be found on the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/latest/events/fifty/poll/

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nerc-logoStrategic Research Impact Scheme Launch – Registration Open

(Posted 2nd March 2015)

The launch of NERC’s new Strategic Research Impact Scheme is taking place on Tuesday 17th March 2015 in London.

This event will provide academics and users of NERC science with information about the upcoming call for the Strategic Research Impact Scheme and facilitate the generation of ideas for collaborative projects.

The Strategic Research Impact Scheme (SR-IS) is an exciting new scheme being launched specifically to accelerate impact from NERC’s strategic research programme investments. It will enable researchers and knowledge exchange professionals to access significant funding to generate high-profile impact from research and collaborate with partners on the design and delivery of large, coordinated projects. It will also enable stakeholders to work directly with the academic community to translate existing research to answer key business, policy, regulatory and other challenges and forge long-lasting connections with academic groups, NERC and other stakeholders.

Attend this workshop to find out more about the scheme and the opportunities to engage with it.

Places are limited so register soon to avoid disappointment.

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Report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Arctic: Responding to a Changing Arctic

(Posted 2nd March 2015)

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Arctic has published its report ‘Responding to a Changing Arctic’.    A news story about the report’s publication can be found here.

The full text of the report, including a short executive summary, can be viewed here: PDF version – http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldselect/ldarctic/118/118.pdf

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The Antarctic Science Bursary

(Posted 26th February 2015)

The Antarctic Science International Bursaries are awards of up to £5000, made annually to support the development of the careers of promising young scientists, working in any field of Antarctic science. The purpose of the award is to broaden the scope of an existing research project, especially for postdoctoral studies, through funding extra field or laboratory work, purchasing/contributing towards the cost of a key piece of equipment or through funding international collaboration.

Details on how to apply for a bursary can be found on the Antarctic Science website. Please note, the deadline for applications is 31st March 2015.

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SCAR and COMNAP Antarctic Research Fellowships 2015

CCAMLR Scientific Scholarships 2015

(Posted 16th February 2015)

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) are working together to attract talented early career researchers, scientists, engineers and other professionals to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in fields such as climate, biodiversity, conservation, humanities and astrophysics research.

SCAR and COMNAP have again joined forces to launch fellowships for early career researchers. The SCAR and COMNAP fellowships are worth up to USD $15,000 each and up to six fellowships in total are on offer for 2015.

The fellowships enable early career researchers to join a project team from another country, opening up new opportunities and often creating research partnerships that last many years and Antarctic research seasons. The deadline for SCAR and COMNAP applications is 3 June 2015.

For more information on the SCAR and COMNAP Fellowships, visit the SCAR website at: http://www.scar.org/awards/fellowships/information.html or the COMNAP website at: www.comnap.aq/SitePages/fellowships.aspx.

The SCAR and COMNAP opportunity is being launched in conjunction with CCAMLR’s Scientific Scholarship. The CCAMLR Scholarship provides funding of up to AUD $30,000 to assist early career scientists to participate in the work of the CCAMLR Scientific Committee and its working groups over a period of two years. The scholarship was established in 2010 and a maximum of three awards will be made in 2015. The objective is to build capacity within the CCAMLR scientific community to help generate and sustain the scientific expertise needed to support the work of CCAMLR in the long-term. The deadline for CCAMLR applications is 1 October 2015.

For information on the CCAMLR Scholarships, visit the CCAMLR website at:

http://www.ccamlr.org/en/science/ccamlr-scientific-scholarship-scheme

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nerc-logo Announcement of Opportunity: Highlight Topics February 2015

(Posted 11th February 2015)

NERC invites proposals for the first round of highlight topics, a new route for funding strategic research. Highlight topics focus strategic research on defined topic areas, and will be delivered through independent projects.

The highlight topics in this call are:

  • Understanding and predicting anomalous trends in surface temperature and implications for decadal to centennial climate behaviour
  • Environmental pathways, impacts and fate of manufactured nanomaterials
  • Dynamics of freshwater ecosystems within an integrated landscape system
  • Integrated dynamics of natural capital systems: bringing the natural environment into economic decision making
  • eDNA: a key new tool for 21st century ecology

NERC has allocated £12m to this call and a maximum of £3m (cost to NERC) is available per highlight topic. There are more highlight topics than funding is available for, so that all highlight topics will not, necessarily, result in funded grants. This is to ensure that only the very best research is funded.

Notification of intent to submit a proposal must be received at least one month before the closing date.

The closing date is 16:00 on Thursday 9 April 2015. Proposals must be submitted via the research councils’ Je-S system. Further information is available on the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/currentopportunities/ao-highlight-topics-jan2015/

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ASC logo 2015_FINAL   UK Arctic Science Conference 2015

(Posted 10th February 2015)

The UK Arctic Science Conference 2015  will be held on the 16th to 18th September 2015 and hosted the University of Sheffield.

Presentations welcomed on the following topics:

  • Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
  • Terrestrial Ecology
  • Arctic Oceanography
  • Ice-Ocean Interaction
  • Landscape Processes and Dynamics
  • Arctic Climate
  • Terrestrial Cryosphere: Snow and ice – past and present
  • Arctic Change – implications for society and culture

Online abstract submission and registration will open on the 30th March 2015. More information about the conference can be found on the website at:  http://www.arctic.ac.uk/research/uk-arctic-science-conference-2015/

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Polar Predictability Workshop – 8th to 10th April 2015

(Posted 1oth February 2015)

The Polar Predictability Workshop will be held from 8th to 10th April 2015 at the University of Reading.

This workshop will discuss polar climate variability & predictability on seasonal to decadal timescales.

Abstracts for talks or posters are encouraged for sessions on understanding causes of polar climate variability in observations and models, idealised predictability studies, operational polar forecasts and use of polar predictions by stakeholders. There will be a focus on sea ice, but contributions on other climate variables are welcomed.

Deadline: Friday 20th February – please email abstracts to: e.hawkins@reading.ac.uk

Website:  http://www.climate-cryosphere.org/wcrp/pcpi/meetings/1228-seaice-reading2015
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The 2015 Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica

(Posted 4th February 2015)

The “Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica” is a US$ 100,000 unrestricted award presented to an individual in the fields of Antarctic science or policy who has demonstrated potential for sustained and significant contributions that will enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica.  The Prize is inspired by Martha T. Muse’s passion for Antarctica and is intended to be a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008.

The prize-winner can be from any country and work in any field of Antarctic science or policy.  The goal is to provide recognition of the important work being done by the individual and to call attention to the significance of understanding Antarctica in a time of change.  A website with further details, including the process of nomination, closing date and criteria for selecting the Prize recipients is available at www.museprize.org.

The Prize is awarded by the Tinker Foundation and administered by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). Closing date for nominations is 13th May 2015.

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nerc-logo NERC Standard Grant deadline for 2015 has been announced

(Posted 3rd February 2015)

The deadline for NERC Standard Grant applications and NERC New Investigator applications is 16:00 on 21st July 2015. Further information can be found on the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/researchgrants/standard/

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2015 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK & Ireland Fellowships

(Posted 3rd February 2015)

Applications for the 2015 L’Oréal-UNESCO UK & Ireland – For Women in Science Fellowships – deadline is 13th March 2015

L’Oréal UK & Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, with the support of the Royal Society have partnered together to provide a dedicated UK & Ireland For Women in Science Fellowship programme for women scientists at post-doctoral level to enable and/or facilitate promising scientific research in the life and physical sciences.

This year five Fellowships will be awarded to outstanding female postdoctoral scientists to assist them with their research. The Fellowships, each worth £15,000 (equivalent Euros for candidates in Ireland), are tenable at any UK or Irish university or research institute to support a 12-month period of research and for the first year we will be including maths, engineering and computer science.

The Fellowship money can be spent in any number of innovative ways to enable women scientists to pursue their careers and facilitate world class research – such as buying equipment, paying for childcare or funding travel costs to an overseas conference.

Further information can be found at: http://www.womeninscience.co.uk/apply

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nerc-logo  NERC Summer of Science – Public engagement for NERC’s 50th anniversary

(Posted 13th January 2015)

To mark its 50th anniversary in 2015, NERC will be supporting a series of events and activities to engage the public with its research. NERC’s Summer of Science will take place across the UK, enabling the public to encounter NERC research in a range of venues during the summer months of 2015. Funds are being made available to support, develop and deliver this. NERC is now inviting applications from researchers to deliver public engagement activities as part of the ‘NERC Summer of Science’ taking place during the summer of 2015. The deadline for applications is 17:00 on 26 January 2015.

More information can be found on the NERC website at http://www.nerc.ac.uk/about/whatwedo/engage/public/anniversary/

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ASSW_2016_Save_the_date  Meeting Announcement: ASSW and AOS 2016

(Posted 12th January 2015)

Save the date for Arctic Science Summit Week 2016 (ASSW) and the Arctic Observing Summit (AOS): 12-18 March 2016 in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks invites you to share your scientific accomplishments and join in the spirit of collaboration toward improving the coordination of Arctic research. Hundreds of scientists and policymakers from around the world will be in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA for the largest Arctic gathering of its kind in 2016.

About the Conference

ASSW is an annual gathering of international scientists and policymakers who advance Arctic research. The conference promotes coordination, collaboration and cooperation in all fields of Arctic science. The Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) aims to build a common vision for sustained, long-term observations of the Arctic and serve as a forum for the planning and coordination of such measurements. The conference will include several workshops and side meetings, including the Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials Meeting. Several ancillary events will also occur, including public lectures, field trips, and outreach and student events, including the Model Arctic Council.

For further information, please go to: http://www.assw2016.org/

You can also follow ASSW2016 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASSW2016 and Twitter: https://twitter.com/Arctic2016

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Antarctic and Arctic in Focus of Science Research – A report from a recent ‘Roundtable Meeting’ in St Petersburg. (Posted 16/12/2014):

On 27 November, The UK Science Innovation Network, Russia, jointly with the Embassy’s Climate Section and the Consulate General in St Petersburg, held a roundtable meeting titled “Antarctic and Arctic in Focus of Science Research” at the St. Petersburg-based Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI). Three representatives of the UK polar and atmospheric sciences participated in this, along with leading Russian Arctic & Antarctic researchers from AARI, VNII Oceangeologia research institute, and Archangelsk-based North Arctic Federal University. The report is available here (pdf).

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nerc-logo NERC Large Grant Deadline announced (Posted 15/12/2014):

The Natural Environment Research Council invites applications for its large grants. These support adventurous, large-scale and complex research projects tackling big science questions that cannot be addressed through other NERC funding opportunities. Research may address any area of science within the NERC remit, including strategic priorities and new curiosity-driven research challenges.

Proposals may involve multidisciplinary approaches via inter- or intra-institutional collaboration, although this is not a requirement.

Grants are worth between £1.2 million and £3.7m each, for a duration of up to five years.

Closing date for outline proposal: 10th March 2015

Closing Date for full proposal: Mid-November 2015 (TBA)

Further information can be found on the NERC website: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/researchgrants/large/

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antarctica-day   

Antarctica Day 2014: 1st December (Posted 11/11/14)

APECS, together with the Our Spaces – Foundation for the Good Governance of International Spaces, Polar Educators International, PolarTREC , the International Polar Foundation, Gateway Antarctica, the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), eBIRD, the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation and the British Antarctic Survey are once again proud to support Antarctica Day commemorations. This event was created to celebrate the spirit of international peace and scientific cooperation that signified the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959.

Antarctica Day 2014 is an international effort to disseminate knowledge about Antarctica and APECS is proud to help inspire a new generation of polar researchers. The day is for everyone, so take some time to celebrate with your co-workers, family and friends! Please see the Antarctica Day website for further information!

Images on this site are courtesy of Kate Hendry, University of Bristol, Adam Bradley, British Antarctic Survey, Mike Meredith, British Antarctic Survey and Guy Hillyard, British Antarctic Survey. If you wish to use any of the images, please contact the UKAAP Secretary in the first instance.