International Arctic Science Committee (IASC)
IASC is a non-governmental organisation which encourages, facilitates and promotes cooperation in all aspects of Arctic research in all countries engaged in Arctic research and in all areas of the Arctic region. Founded in 1990 by representatives of the eight Arctic countries, there are now 24 members, including the United Kingdom (1996).
IASC’s responsibilities include:
- initiating new scientific activities, especially large-scale, multi-year programmes
- providing rigorous and independent scientific advice
- promoting the best and most open access to data and research
- supporting the development of international cooperation
Decisions are taken by the IASC Council which meets annually, usually in conjunction with the Arctic Science Summit Week. The UK is represented at Council meetings by the Head of the NERC Arctic Office, Henry Burgess, who was elected to the IASC presidency in 2022 – 2026 for a four year term. The new President of IASC is Dr Matthew Druckenmiller (University of Colorado, Boulder & Dartmouth University) who was elected at the 2026 ASSW in Aarhus, Denmark.
There are five Working Groups which encourage and support science-led international programmes by offering opportunities for planning and coordination, and by facilitating communication and access to infrastructure. UK membership is determined by the NERC Arctic Office after open competition.
The UK’s representatives in the Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social and Human and Terrestrial Working Groups have produced short summaries of the discussions and decisions from previous Arctic Science Summit Weeks. These reports can be found below.
The UK representatives are:
- Dr Liam Kelleher, University of Birmingham
- Dr Xin Yang, British Antarctic Survey
- Dr Kelly Hogan, British Antarctic Survey
- Dr Karen Cameron, University of Glasgow
- Prof Geraint Tarling, British Antarctic Survey
- Prof Claire Mahaffey, University of Liverpool
Social and Human Development Working Group
- Dr Isabelle Gapp, Aberdeen university (maternity cover)
- Dr Ingrid Medby, Newcastle University (on maternity leave)
- Prof James Ford, Priestly International Centre for Climate, University of Leeds
- Prof Gareth Phoenix, Sheffield University
- Prof Michael Lim, Northumbria University
IASC Working Group Reports:
IASC Working Group Reports, 2026:
The UK’s representatives in the Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social and Human and Terrestrial Working Groups have produced short summaries of the discussions and decisions at the 2026 Arctic Science Summit Week that took place in Aarhus, Denmark in March 2026. The reports are now available here:
Atmosphere Working Group – summary report
Cryosphere Working Group – summary report
Marine Working Group – summary report
Social and Human – summary report
Terrestrial Working Group – summary report
IASC Working Group Reports, 2024:
The UK’s representatives in the Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social and Human and Terrestrial Working Groups have produced short summaries of the discussions and decisions at the 2024 Arctic Science Summit Week that took place in Edinburgh. The reports are now available here:
IASC Working Group Reports, 2023:
The UK’s representatives in the Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social and Human and Terrestrial Working Groups have produced short summaries of the discussions and decisions at this year’s Arctic Science Summit Week in Vienna 2023. The reports are now available here:
UK activities in international funding and networking 2022-23_Final – as presented to the IASC Terrestrial Working Group by UK Representatives, Bob Baxter and Mary Edwards.