APECS is pleased to announce that it has renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) for a period of 5 years, extending the partnership through 2024. The first MoU was signed in 2008 with the creation of APECS and was renewed in 2013.
The agreement identifies a joint commitment to the professional development of early career polar researchers and the need for a continuum of leadership in polar research as important mutual aims of all parties. This formal document is intended to be a tool that the polar research community can use to achieve our shared goals. Examples of activities through which this joint commitment may be pursued include, but are not limited to:
- Working together to ensure representation of early career researchers in Standing Committee/Working Groups, Delegates/Council Meetings, and other meetings and activities;
- Promoting the inclusion of early career researchers on conference organising committees and when convening panel sessions;
- Communicating updates, newsletters, and other communications of interest, as well as working together on education, outreach, and polar science communication activities;
- Agreeing to representatives of IASC and SCAR being available as members of the APECS Advisory Committee to offer assistance and guidance; and representatives of APECS being available to IASC and SCAR for early career perspectives;
- Continuing to support the development of early career researchers through schemes such as the IASC Fellowship scheme, SCAR Fellowship programme, and other possible new programmes;
- Providing support throughout the application review process when opportunities are offered to early career researchers, such as the APECS committee that helps review IASC Fellowship applications;
- Providing recommendations and feedback on best practices, covering (but not limited to) accommodating the needs of early career researchers, and the latest (communication) technology to enable SCAR & IASC to keep the best early career researchers in polar research;
- Running joint training sessions in conjunction with opportunities (for example on how to write funding applications for Fellowships);
- Exploring mentorship opportunities serving APECS members and supported by SCAR and IASC; and
- Actively encouraging reporting on how groups and committees (e.g., SCAR Standing Groups and IASC Working Groups) are supporting early career researchers, and sharing resources that help to foster best practices in this area.
