To encourage and facilitate cooperation in all aspects of Arctic research, in all countries engaged in Arctic research and in all areas of the Arctic region
The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is a non-governmental, international scientific organization. IASC was founded in 1990 by representatives of national scientific organizations of the eight Arctic countries - Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia (at that time Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), Sweden and the United States of America. The Founding Articles of IASC were signed in Resolute Bay, Canada.
Over the years, IASC has evolved into the leading international science organisation of the North and its membership today includes 24 countries involved in all aspects of Arctic research, including 15 non-Arctic countries (Austria, Belgium, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the UK). [1]
Mission
The Founding Articles committed IASC to pursue a mission of encouraging and facilitating cooperation in all aspects of Arctic research, in all countries engaged in Arctic research and in all areas of the Arctic region. Overall, IASC promotes and supports leading-edge interdisciplinary research in order to foster a greater scientific understanding of the Arctic region and its role in the Earth system.
Rather than defining human and environmental boundaries, IASC tries to bridge those boundaries. IASC is also committed to recognizing that Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge, and “Western” scientific knowledge are coequal and complementary knowledge systems, all of which can and should inform the work of IASC.
To achieve this mission IASC:
Initiates, coordinates and promotes scientific activities at a circumarctic or international level;
Provides mechanisms and instruments to support science development;
Provides objective and independent scientific advice on issues of science in the Arctic and communicates scientific information to the public;
Seeks to ensure that scientific data and information from the Arctic are safeguarded, freely exchangeable and accessible;
Promotes international access to all geographic areas and the sharing of knowledge, logistics and other resources;
Provides for the freedom and ethical conduct of science;
Promotes and involves the next generation of scientists working in the Arctic; and
Promotes polar cooperation through interaction with relevant science organizations. [2]
Organization
IASC is governed by a Council, composed of one representative of each of its member countries, which meets annually at the Arctic Science Summit Week. The Council sets priorities and guides the work of the organisation. An Executive Committee, consisting of an elected President, four elected Vice-Presidents and a permanent Executive Secretary operates as a Board of Directors and manages IASC activities between Council meetings. The Secretariat is currently hosted by Rannis (Iceland), and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organisation. The Secretariat was previously hosted by Germany, Norway and Sweden.
IASC is engaged in all fields of Arctic research and its main scientific working bodies are five Working Groups: Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social & Human and Terrestrial. Each Working Group is composed of up to two scientists from each IASC member country, appointed by the national adhering bodies. Though the Working Groups are disciplinary, they also address cross-cutting science questions by initiating activities which involve at least two WGs.
Action Groups are short-term expert groups that provide strategic advice to the IASC Council concerning both long-term activities and urgent needs.
IASC's instruments to support science development include workshops, long-term programs, assessments and science planning activities.
IASC Council
Representatives of national scientific organizations from all IASC member countries form the IASC Council that meets once a year during the Arctic Science Summit Week.
The Council is the policy and decision-making body for IASC. The members ensure an input of a wide range of scientific and technical knowledge and provide access to a large number of scientists and administrators through their national committees.
The scientific core elements of IASC are its five Working Groups (WGs). The main function of the WGs is to encourage and support science-led international programs by offering opportunities for planning and coordination, and by facilitating communication and access to facilities. Each WG is composed of up to two scientists from each IASC member country, appointed by the national adhering bodies. The members are experts in their field, with an international reputation, and from different scientific disciplines so that the full range of Arctic research is represented in the WGs. [3]
The Atmosphere Working Group (AWG)
The scientific scope of the Atmosphere Working Group (AWG) includes scientific research towards understanding and prediction of Arctic change, and considering the fate of perennial sea ice and the global atmospheric consequences of its disappearance. This includes past climate states, investigation of Arctic processes across data sets and approaches, and climate model projections. The scope includes local and regional impacts of Arctic change. The geographic scope of the AWG shall be the Arctic but will also include the Arctic´s responses to global change processes (arctic amplification) and impacts of Arctic changes on the northern hemisphere atmospheric circulation. [4]
The Cryosphere Working Group (CWG)
The Cryosphere Working Group (CWG) supports and promotes all scientific or engineering research related to the Arctic and subarctic cryosphere, including glaciers, sea ice, snow, permafrost, seasonally frozen ground, and lake and river ice. It encompasses cryospheric interactions with the atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, and terrestrial systems in the past, present and future, and the cryosphere’s role in climate and human society. [5]
The Marine Working Group (MWG)
The IASC Marine Working Group (MWG) facilitates international coordination of research in the Arctic marine environment and supports cross-cutting objectives. Annual face-to-face meetings and online communication are used throughout the year, including interaction and collaboration with terrestrial, cryospheric, atmospheric, and social scientists as appropriate. An important goal is to support early career scientists and involve them in international research coordinated by IASC member countries, including an expanded role for IASC Fellows in MWG tasks. Starting in 2023, a network of IASC Alumni Fellows will support IASC and Working Group activities and their current Fellows, and maintain an active network of early to mid-career researchers and collaborators (IASC Fox).[6]
The Social and Human Working Group (SHWG)
The scientific scope of the Social and Human Sciences Working Group shall include all aspects of social sciences and humanities research in the Arctic, as well as their connections with other IASC Working Groups. The actual work of the Social & Human Sciences WG is determined by a dynamic list of scientific focus areas.
The geographic scope of the Social and Human Sciences Working Group shall be the Arctic as defined in the map accompanying the Arctic Human Development Report (AHDR). The geographic scope can be extended south where it is appropriate for an understanding of Arctic social and human processes..[7]
The Terrestrial Working Group (TWG)
The scientific scope of the Terrestrial Working Group (TWG) shall include any scientific research on Arctic terrestrial and freshwater environments, landscapes and biota, and their responses to, and interactions with, other components of the Earth system. The remit encompasses the dynamics of the Arctic system; past, present and future.
Geographically, the main area of interest of the IASC Terrestrial Working Group encompasses lands and fresh water within the area north of the latitudinal treeline with Arctic climate and Arctic vegetation. Several adjacent areas are included where highly relevant for certain disciplines and projects (a) boreal oceanic tundra (e.g. the Aleutian Islands, North Atlantic islands), (b) alpine tundra that is continuous with the Arctic tundra (e.g. the central highlands of Iceland, the Scandes Mountains, the Polar Urals), (c) the forest tundra, and (d) drainage basins to the south that connect with freshwater and marine areas of the Arctic..[8]
IASC Action Groups
Actions Groups are established by the IASC Council to provide strategic advice concerning both long-term activities and urgent needs. They are expert groups typically with a one or two year mandate and conclude their task with a report to the Council.[9]
The current IASC Strategic Plan was developed as directed by the IASC Council based upon the key priorities and overarching messages of the 3rd International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III). This, IASC´s first Strategic Plan, was approved by the IASC Council in June 2018 in Davos Switzerland and is valid from 2018 until 2023. It is based on three scientific ‘pillars’ that provide direction for a necessary progression from knowledge production to exchange, to action.
IASC must develop a new Strategic plan for 2024 onwards. However, in 2025, the 4th International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) will be held, and its outcomes will influence IASC strategic planning in the future. The IASC Council therefore decided to extend the existing Strategic Plan through 2025 with only an internal update of the existing text during 2022 / 2023. An Action Group has been formed to lead the internal update of the existing IASC Strategic Plan during 2022 / 2023
Action Group on Carbon Footprint (2020 - 2022)
Acknowledging the link between anthropogenic carbon emissions and rapid changes in the Arctic, including the Arctic amplification of climate change, IASC has recently convened an Action Group on Carbon Footprint (AGCF). The remit of the AGCF is to facilitate a full organisational response to the climate crisis and to explore ways to minimise the carbon footprint of IASC-related activities themselves. As an organisation promoting research and transnational access in the Arctic, we have a duty to mitigate the impacts of our activities, as well as to lead the way. The group started its work in early 2021.
Action Group on Indigenous Involvement (2017-2020)
In light of the commitments made through the ICARP process and strategic planning, IASC is moving forward with these goals of better involving Indigenous peoples and incorporating Indigenous/traditional knowledge. Establishing an Action Group on Indigenous Involvement should lead to concrete recommendations to the IASC Council that will help IASC achieve its goals. The AGII report was greatefully received and approved by the IASC Council in March 2020. IASC will proceed with consideration and implementation of the AGII recommendations.
IASC Standing Committees
Standing Committees are long-term bodies created by Council for long-term IASC initiatives working on defined long-term strategic issues that are of relevance and importance for all IASC activities and the organisation as a whole. They assist IASC in the implementation of IASC’s mission. The Standing Committee may also work on own projects and activities within its mandate
Standing Committee on Indigenous Involvement (SCII)
The scope and responisbilities of the Standing Committee on Indigenous Involvement (SCII) is:
Provide advice and guidance for the IASC Executive Committee and Council regarding Indigenous Peoples meaningful involvement in IASC activities during the planning and implementation of IASC strategic planning (e.g. ICARP processes).
Ensure interaction and explore opportunities with the IASC Working Groups on a positive mutual basis to develop joint projects and to promote meaningful Indigenous involvement and leadership in IASC WG projects and activities.
Build on the recommendations of the past AGII by developing concepts and proposals for the implementation of the recommendations from or in the spirit of the AGII report.
Evaluate the progress of the implementation of the IASC actions regarding meaningful Indigenous involvement.
Create opportunities for interaction with relevant international, regional and national Arctic Indigenous organizations;
Initiate listening sessions, talking circles, workshops, conferences and educational events
Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW)
The Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) is organised annually by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) to provide opportunities for coordination, cooperation and collaboration between the various scientific organisations involved in Arctic research. It was initiated by the IASC in 1999 and has evolved into the most important annual gathering of the Arctic research organisation.
In odd number years, the ASSW also includes a Science Symposium. These symposia create a platform for exchanging knowledge, cross fertilisation and collaboration and attract scientists, students, policy makers and other professionals from all over the world.
In even number years the ASSW includes the Arctic Observing Summit (AOS), a high-level, biennial summit that aims to provide community-driven, science-based guidance for the design, implementation, coordination and long-term operation of Arctic observing systems.
Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV)
In the lead up to its 35th anniversary in 2025, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) in cooperation with many partner worldwide is coordinating a multi-year planning process for the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) lasting from 2022 until 2026 that engages Arctic researchers, Indigenous Peoples, policy makers, residents and stakeholders from around the world to collegially discuss the state of Arctic science, the place the Arctic occupies in global affairs and systems. ICARP IV:
considers the most urgent knowledge gaps and Arctic research priorities and needs for the next decade, and
explores avenues to address these research needs.
The scientific focus of ICARP IV will be on important research questions that cut across many disciplines and knowledge systems, and that require new and innovative thinking and collaboration. ICARP IV will develop a vision for implementation and science plans for addressing these priorities.
An integral aspect of the ICARP IV will be the inclusion of early career scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and local residents in the development of priorities and science plans to address the key questions. IASC is committed to recognizing that Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge and academic scientific knowledge are coequal and complementary knowledge systems that all can and should inform the work of IASC and ICARP IV.
Research efforts should provide improved understanding and predictive capabilities for the evolution of Arctic systems.
Consideration will be given to providing relevant and useful information that peoples in the Arctic and those in more temperate regions need to have in order to adapt and prepare for the changing Arctic and its impact on global systems
IASC Medal
The medals are awarded "in recognition of exceptional and sustained contributions to understanding of the Arctic". The first medal was awarded in 2010.[10]
Year
Recipient
Citation
2010
Patrick Webber
"Medal for Arctic Science and Inspiring Mentorship"
"Outstanding achievements in understanding complex climate and glacier relationships, global energy budgets, and thermal energy flow in the Arctic; and for excellence in program building, international collaborations, and mentorship in the cryospheric sciences"
Outstanding achievements in advocacy for the rights of Indigenous peoples, her service to a wide range of arctic communities, including the Arctic Council, and her influence as a legal scholar."
"Outstanding long-lasting achievements to improve the knowledge of the ecology of the Arctic Ocean and the ability to combine excellent science and holistic drive to bring together various disciplines"
"Outstanding long-lasting achievements to improve interdisciplinary knowledge, particularly on the linkages between changes in the Arctic and the weather in mid-latitudes, as well as ensuring this information becomes widely available through his ability to present complex information in an accessible way and his critical role in the formation of the IASC Atmosphere Working Group."
Information on the IASC Medal recipients from the IASC website[10] unless otherwise noted.
IASC Fellowship Program
The IASC Fellowship Program was established in 2014 and is meant to engage early career researchers in the work of the IASC Working Groups (WGs): Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social & Human, and Terrestrial. Each year, one Fellow per WG is chosen. In addition, since 2020, at least one early career Arctic Indigenous Scholar or Knowledge Holder is selected per year, who can choose which IASC WG to engage in
IASC Fellows are doctoral or postdoctoral researchers who actively participate in selected activities of the IASC WGs. Fellows are expected to contribute scientifically but also to help organize specific activities and to coordinate the reporting to the IASC Secretariat. Thus, the Fellowship Program provides the opportunity for ECSs to become involved in leading-edge scientific activities at a circumarctic and international level, to build an international network, and also to develop management skills. The level of involvement very much depends on the Fellow's interest - the more you invest, the more you get out of it!
The total duration of the IASC Fellowship Program is 1+2 years. In their first year, selected Fellows will receive travel support to attend two consecutive Arctic Science Summit Weeks (ASSWs) where the annual WG meetings are held. After the first year, Fellows have the opportunity to stay involved for up to 2 more years without dedicated funding support from IASC. Note: The travel support during the first fellowship year is the only financial remuneration for the Fellows. Salary is not included during the fellowship.
