APECS News

Do you want to engage with Antarctica InSync but don’t know where to start? Have you heard about the initiative and want to learn more about the opportunities it provides to the research community and early career researchers in particular? Join us online on 28 or 29 July for an introduction to the Antarctica InSync framework and explore ways for you to get involved.

How can Arctic resilience move beyond adaptation and place Indigenous self-determination at its centre?

A team of APECS members published a new article on "Building Resilient Arctic Futures Through Indigenous Knowledge and Self-Determination", developed from discussions held during the Polar Early Career World Summit (PECWS).

Drawing on insights generated through an interactive workshop that brought together almost 250 early-career researchers and participants from more than 24 countries, the article explores how resilience in the Arctic can be re-imagined through Indigenous governance, ethical knowledge co-production, and political self-determination. This publication is a direct result of collective dialogue and reflects the valuable contributions of workshop participants, who shared their perspectives on Indigenous agency, governance, and Arctic futures.

The paper highlights the multifaceted nature of resilience, stipulating that it is not a universal concept, but one that is deeply shaped by culture, relationships to land, governance systems, and local priorities. Rather than treating Indigenous Knowledge as supplementary, the article displays the importance of Indigenous-led approaches and decolonial practices that place Indigenous voices at the core of decision-making.

Using examples from across the Arctic, including Indigenous-led environmental initiatives, political participation, and reflections on Greenland’s evolving role in Arctic governance, the article examines how resilience can become a pathway toward more equitable and sustainable futures.

This article contributes to ongoing conversations across the polar community and inspires further discussion on how early-career researchers can support ethical, inclusive, and community-centred approaches to Arctic research and governance.  

Read the full article here.

Photo: APECS Canada

APECS Canada is now accepting applications for the 2026 "Arctic Science to Art" Contest.

Do you want to contribute to APECS and be a part of our Council? Applications for Council Leadership and Project Group Leader positions are now open! 

The 2026-2027 Council term is from 1 October 2026 through 30 September 2027. APECS Council members value the international networks they develop through the Council, as well as the recognition and accomplishments they gain through their work. 

Are you interested? Find out more about the different APECS Council roles and how to apply on the Apply for Council webpage.

APECS Council Leadership positions: Council Co-Chairs, National Committee Coordinators, Social Media Coordinators, & APECS Representative Coordinator
APECS Council Leadership members collaborate with the APECS Executive Committee to help manage and mentor the wider APECS Council. Being involved in the APECS Council provides you with opportunities to engage internationally and across disciplines with other early career researchers and professionals who are interested in the polar and alpine regions and the wider cryosphere. You should be prepared to spend a few hours per week, on average, on APECS related activities.

Application deadline: 3 August at 23:59 GMT

APECS Project Group Leader positions
No prior experience with APECS, or the subject of the Project Group you’d like to lead, is required - we encourage all APECS members to consider applying! A list of the 2025-2026 term Project Groups can be found on the APECS website, and the anticipated Project Groups for next term are listed in the application form. You are also welcome to suggest new Project Groups that you would be willing to lead beyond those that are listed. By leading a Project Group on the Council, you develop valuable skills in project management, leadership and communication in a friendly and supportive environment. As a Project Group Leader 2026-2027 you would need to be available at the end of September/beginning of October to review member applications for your Project Group. If you are just interested in participating, not leading a Project Group, a call to join Project Groups will be announced to the APECS membership in late August.

Application deadline: 3 August at 23:59 GMT

During the SCAR Open Science Conference (OSC) 2026 in Oslo, APECS will host “Pathways to policy - Antarctic governance and science-based decision-making” - a workshop to support Early Career Researchers in contributing to policy making processes. This workshop is financially supported by the International Glaciological Society (IGS) and the European Geoscience Union (EGU) through the EGU Training School scheme and thus a limited number of travel grants are available for participants of the workshop in support of their attendance of the SCAR OSC.

APECS South Africa, APECS Mexico, the UK Polar Network, APECS France, and APECS Uruguay, are running a global survey on outreach and science communication in polar science.

APPLY for the APECS Executive Committee to help shape our organization and influence the future of polar research!

The elections for the 2026-2027 APECS Executive Committee will be held during May, June and July 2026 for the term from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.

Application deadline: 15 June 2026 at 23:59 GMT 

The Ponant Explorations Group is pleased to announce an open call for scientific projects onboard the polar exploration vessel Le Commandant Charcot (LCC) in the Baltic Sea in November and December 2026. This project call is specifically for early career-led research projects and facilitated by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS). Scientists from any discipline are encouraged to apply and applicants may apply for both available cruises. The scientific berths are offered free of charge, although travel and shipping expenses to the port of departure/arrival are at the participant’s cost.