Welcome to the first NERC Arctic Office Bulletin for 2022. If you have an event that you would like us to promote here or via the NERC Arctic Office website, www.arctic.ac.uk, please let us know. We’re always glad to hear from you. If you haven’t received this Bulletin direct, you can sign up to our mailing list on the website’s home page. For all previous bulletins, please visit the Arctic Office bulletins page.
NERC Arctic Research Station Event – 10th February 2022
It is still possible to register for the 2022 NERC Arctic Research Station event which will be held online on Thursday 10th February from 10:00 to 12:00. If you are a current user of the NERC station in Ny-Ålesund, or if you are considering applying to use the station in the future or just interested in finding out more, then we strongly recommend attending this event, which will aim to inform on the Station, including presentations on the new science kit that has been recently purchased, information on recent changes in Ny-Ålesund and how to apply to access the station. Further information, including the agenda and link to register is available on the Arctic Office Website. We look forward to welcoming many of you to this event! Any questions, please contact us on arctic@bas.ac.uk
UK Arctic Science Conference – 11 to 13 April 2022
The next UK Arctic Science Conference will take place 11 to 13 April 2022, hosted by Durham University. The call for abstracts is now open – please see the website for further information on how to submit your abstract and to register for the conference. Deadline to submit abstracts is 5pm on Monday 28th February. If you have any questions, please contact Prof Bob Baxter – robert.baxter@durham.ac.uk
Arctic Science Summit Week 2022
Registration has now opened for the ASSW 2022 – ASSW 2022 will be a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual attendance being made possible. Registration for participation is now open. Full details available on the ASSW 2022 website: https://assw.info/registration
Call for applications to host the Arctic Science Summit Week in 2024
The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) accepted the invitation by the NERC Arctic Office and the UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnership (UKAAP), with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to hold the 2024 Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) and Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) in the United Kingdom. Applications are now invited from United Kingdom academic institutions, in partnership with others as needed, to act as the local host for this important and high-profile Arctic science event in 2024. Further information, including eligibility criteria and application process can be found here: https://www.arctic.ac.uk/news/2385/ . Deadline for applications is 29th April 2022.
UKAAP Steering Committee – Call for new members
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 (SC) 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 meetings a year (either in-person where possible or online using Zoom) and a small number of other ad hoc requests.
As per the UKAAP SC Terms of Reference, the Committee looks to refresh its membership by up to 1/3 each year. A call is now out for applications to appoint new members – if you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please complete the application form on the https://ukaapartnership.org/committee/ukaap-steering-committee-application-form/ and send to the UKAAP Secretary at nalm@bas.ac.uk by 28th February. UKAAP SC especially welcome applications from the underrepresented polar research community, including women, people who identify as trans and/or non-binary, people from Indigenous, Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as having disabilities, and people from LGBTQIA+ groups. Applications will be reviewed by the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee with the aim of informing applicants of the outcome by early April.
UK-Canada Globalink doctoral exchange scheme
Apply for funding to undertake a 12-week research placement in Canada. You must be a doctoral student funded by a UKRI research council and working in any field. Funding can be used for fees and stipends, research costs and travel and subsistence costs. You may request up to £15,000 for each placement which must take place between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023. Closing date for applications is 26th April. Further information can be found on the UKRI website.
New – NERC Ocean Observations Consultation
A consultation has just been launched on prioritising the sustained scientific ocean observations important to the UK, and internationally. The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is leading on behalf of NERC. Arctic researchers are strongly encouraged to respond to the consultation.
The survey/consultation phase runs until 10 March 2022 – details: https://ocean-observations.uk/ – and is open to all. There will also be a best practice gathering phase and a phase gathering views from organisations and existing fora. The final report will be shared by NERC in early 2023.
Congratulations – Polar Medal
Many congratulations to Dr Ian Brooks (Leeds), Prof Melody Clark (BAS), Dr Markus Frey (BAS) and Prof David Thomas (Helsinki), who have been awarded the Polar Medal by HM the Queen for their work in the Arctic and Antarctic. Well-deserved!