We are launching the renewed Research Sites Working Group!

We have a lot of activities for this year and are looking for your help.

The Research Sites Working Group is composed of APECS members who remember how challenging it was to start field research programs in remote polar regions. We’re working hard to create a map-based interactive resource that you can use to do some research on your future field sites or field stations well in advance of your field season.

We’ll have links to field station websites, similar to other on-line polar resources, but also a section where station users can post comments and tips! This is a great way to find out what equipment, supplies and infrastructure are in place at your future field site – and also a great way to discover other useful tips and tricks.

Tips and tricks can include just about anything: how to ship equipment to your site, where to get a haircut after your field season, fun things to do on days off, where to find free WiFi, the best restaurant in the nearest town, and local “can’t miss” attractions or community events.

We’re also hoping this turns into a resource that APECS members use to meet fellow researchers and form collaborations before heading into the field – and to stay in touch with friends and colleagues once the field season is over.

If you’re interested in joining the Research Sites Working Group, please let us know at research-sites@apecs.is.

APECS is happy to announce another great opportunity for the young scientists!

INTERACT –The International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic– is a consortium of 33 institutions from northern Europe, Russia, US, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland, funded 2011-2014 by the EU PF7 Infrastructures-program. The network currently consists of over 50research stations, 20of which offer Transnational Access.

INTERACT seeks to build capacity for research and monitoring in the European Arctic and beyond, and is offering research groups Transnational Access to conduct research free of charge at 20terrestrial research stations in the northernmost Europe and Russian Federation. 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. 

The applications for Transnational Access undergo a scientific evaluation made by a Transnational Access Board (TA Board) that consists of five experts external to INTERACT and five representatives of stations in particular geographical regions. INTERACT is now seeking for an external early-career expert to join the TA Board. Post-doctoral scientists specialized on glaciology or animal ecology are preferred, but specialists on other fields of research with an Arctic or northern focus are also welcome to apply.

The tasks of a TA Board member include participation in the scientific evaluation of the submitted Transnational Access applications and attendance at the related TA Board meetings, both held twice per year. TA Board members do not receive financial compensation for their membership, but the travel and accommodation costs to the meetings are reimbursed by INTERACT. An early career scientistparticipating on the INTERACT TA Board willbenefit from working with distinguished scientists atan international level, and from gaining valuable experience and insight of the evaluation process for future expert positions.

If you are a post-doctoral researcherworking on one of the themes mentioned above and are interested in this great opportunity to join the INTERACT Transnational Access Board, please e-mail to info@apecs.isincluding yourstatement of interest noting your research interests and experience (no more than one side of A4) and yourCV (no more than two pages of A4) in a single PDF-file by 31st May 2013.

For more information about the position, please contac tDr Hannele Savela, INTERACT Transnational Access Coordinator, hannele.savela@oulu.fi.

Should you have any other questions, please contact Yulia Zaika at yzaika@inbox.ru

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APECS is excited to announce that the funding for our APECS International Directorate in Tromsø has been renewed till the end of 2016!

This was made possible through generous contributions by the University of Tromsø, the Norwegian Polar Institute as well as a successful application for partial support to the Research Council of Norway!

The University of Tromsø is the northernmost university of the world. Research and studies offered at the university focus on Arctic and northern issues: marine science, biomedicine, telemedicine, physics, linguistics, multiculturalism and research related to the Saami and indigenous people. The university contributes to the national Norwegian diversity of basic scientific research and for some research areas it shall be among the best international actors. - http://uit.no

The Norwegian Polar Institute is Norway's central institution for scientific research, environmental monitoring and mapping of the polar regions. The Institute is the Norwegian authorities' consultant and supplier of knowledge, and contributes to the best possible administration of Norwegian polar areas. Through active participation in national and international bodies, the Norwegian Polar Institute is central when it comes to protecting national interests in matters of research and the environment. - http://npolar.no

The Research Council of Norway promotes basic and applied research and innovation in order to help meet research needs within society. It also works actively to encourage international research cooperation. Underlying all the Research Council's activities is the viewpoint that research expands the boundaries of what we know, understand and can achieve. Research adds cultural resonance to society and creates a viable framework for welfare, value creation and sustainable development, Through its efforts as an advisory body on research strategy issues, a research funding agency and initiator of meeting places and networks, the Research Council seeks to meet and constantly refine the objectives for Norwegian research policy. - http://rcn.no 

APECS is very thankful for this opportunity to continue shaping the future of polar research in the coming years!