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May 6, 2021

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MAY 4–6, 2021 | ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, USA

Arctic Maritime Horizons Workshop

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This event is hosted by the Arctic Domain Awareness Center. This workshop will be an assessment of the future maritime transportation system of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort sea regions.

Event Link

Noon EDT on MAY 6, 2021 | Webinar

Women Communicating Arctic Science Gender in Transdisciplinary Research

Free webinar on Women Communicating Arctic Science: Gender in Transdisciplinary Research. In this webinar, you will hear from Dr. Alexandra Middleton about Arctic science communicated by women, the heart and sense dilemma, and Dr. Amy Lauren Lovecraft about whether gender matters in transdisciplinary Arctic research.

Event Link
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Hughes and OneWeb Get US Air Force Contract for Arctic Broadband

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has contracted low Earth orbit broadband venture OneWeb to demo managed satcom services in strategic Arctic locations. Project prime contractor Hughes Network Systems, a OneWeb investor supplying parts of its ground segment, will test the services between certain U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) sites.

Space News

Arctic Basin Ports' Throughput in March 2021: Oil Products Up

According to SeaNews PORTSTAT analytic online service, the total cargo throughput via the Russian Arctic basin ports in March 2021 decreased by 4.2% year-on-year. Export declined by 0.9%. Cabotage was down 9%, and import down 37.6%. The share of the Arctic basin in the total cargo traffic via all the Russian seaports in March 2021 amounted to 11.6%.

SeaNews

Caribou Collaring Now Back on Track

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Satellite collars on caribou are one of the most important tools biologists, who study the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, have. Collar information is essential to understanding movements, survival rates, and in knowing the right time to take aerial photos for a herd count. However, in recent years, the number of active collars among our region's herd had fallen - until last month, when a team was able to put out 54 new collars.

Arctic Sounder

ESA's New Arctic Weather Satellite Flies with a Power System by RUAG Space

RUAG Space has been awarded the contract to provide the power system for the prototype of the Arctic Weather Satellite’s (AWS) radiometer instrument. The mission’s goal: to enable precise, short-term weather forecasts also in the Arctic. The contract includes an option for 16 additional flight models for the planned AWS constellation. The prototype for the Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) mission currently being developed by ESA with OHB Sweden as Mission prime is the precursor to a potential satellite constellation that would provide a near-constant stream of temperature and humidity data from anywhere on Earth. This would make very short-term weather forecasts – known as “now casting” – in the Arctic possible for the first time and would allow to better predict storms or extreme weather conditions.

Geospatial World

More Ships are Traveling Longer Distances in Canada's Northwest Passage

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The once-impenetrable Northwest Passage through Arctic Canada’s marine waters has now become a site of routine vessel transits and growing traffic. Ship use increased substantially in recent years, according to a report published in mid-April by one of the Arctic Council’s working groups. From 2013 to 2019, the number of ships sailing in Northwest Passage waters increased by 44 percent, from 112 to 160 unique vessels, according to the new report from the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment working group, known as PAME.

Nunatsiaq News

Request for Public Comment: Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee Draft Arctic Research Plan

The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) has released a draft of the Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 for public review in the Federal Register. The comment period will close on June 11, 2021. The draft plan addresses the most pressing Arctic research needs that require a collaborative approach and that can advance understanding of the Arctic, inform policy and planning decisions, and promote the well-being of Arctic and global communities. Download the plan and learn how to comment at iarpccollaborations.org/draft-plan.html

The Federal Register
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9:00- 11:00 am ADT on MAY 7, 2021 | Virtual

2021 Virtual Arctic Research Funders Meet and Greet

The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS), the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Collaborations, and University of California, Irvine host a virtual Arctic Research Funders Meet and Greet networking event. The Arctic Research Funders Meet and Greet will provide an informal opportunity for Arctic researchers to connect with multiple agency program officers to gain insight into each organization’s Arctic research interests. The event has been planned using a “speed networking” format that will allow representatives from each funding organization to meet with small groups of up to 10 people for approximately 10-15 minutes at a time. Researchers will be invited to move between breakout rooms hosted by agency staff in a round-robin small group format.

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NEW THIS WEEK | 3:30 pm EDT on MAY 7, 2021 | Webcast

Arctic Security Dialogues III | Understanding the New Dimensions of Trans-Atlantic Arctic

This event is sponsored by the Wilson Center and the Arctic Domain Awareness Center. The purpose of the discussion is to gain a diversity of views from current and retired military officers who have unique insights on the emerging defense and security environment across the Trans-Atlantic Arctic region. USARC Commissioner Major General Randy “Church” Kee is one of the event moderators.

Event Link

NEW THIS WEEK | 11:00 am GMT on MAY 7, 2021 | Webinar

Role of Japan in Arctic Cooperation: Prelude to the Arctic Circle Japan Forum

This PRELUDE Session puts focus on the Role of Japan in Arctic Cooperation. This event is part of the Arctic Circle conference. Speakers: H.E. YŌKO KAMIKAWA, Chief Secretary, Parliamentary League of Arctic Frontier Study; Minister of Justice, Japan; H.E. ÓLAFUR RAGNAR GRÍMSSON, Chairman Arctic Circle; President of Iceland 1996-2016; DR. ATSUSHI SUNAMI, President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Event Link
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MAY 8–9, 2021 | TOKYO, JAPAN

3rd Arctic Science Ministerial

The Japanese and Icelandic organizers of this ministerial continue to plan for an in-person ministerial, in Tokyo, but have moved the dates from November 21-22, 2020 to May 8-9, 2021 because of Covid-19. Since the last Arctic Science Ministerial in 2018, changes in the Arctic ecosystem and the resulting impacts locally and globally have been severely felt. Considering the need for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and repair measures, the relevance of an international Arctic Science Ministerial has never been greater. It is necessary to strengthen scientific cooperation and collaboration among both Arctic and non-Arctic States in order to develop our understanding of the rapid changes impacting the Arctic. The First Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM1) was hosted by the United States in 2016, and two years later, the Second Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM2) was co-hosted by Germany, Finland, and the European Commission. ASM3 will be co-hosted by Iceland and Japan.

Event Link

3:00 pm MAY 17, 2021 | WEBINAR

Draft Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 Information Session: Focus on Priority Area 4

IARPC has released a draft of the next five-year Arctic Research Plan, which will span from 2022-2026. We are now asking the public to comment on the draft plan by June 11, 2021. To provide additional information about the draft plan contents and development, we are hosting a series of one-hour information sessions. A webinar May 17, 10am AKT / 2pm PT will focus on Priority Area 4: Risk Management and Hazard Mitigation.

Event Link

MAY 17-21, 2021 | VIRTUAL

COE Summit

DHS S&T's Centers of Excellence (COE) Summit is set and focused on Homeland Security Challenges: Evolving Threats & Dynamic Solutions. This event is a special opportunity for COE researchers to connect and network with DHS components, federal, state, and local stakeholders, as well as industry partners to present current and emerging solutions to threats and challenges faced by DHS. Attendees can visit the Innovation Showcase, where COE and vendor partners showcase research breakthroughs, new products and tools to assist operational decision-makers and dynamic solutions to secure our Homeland.

Event Link

NEW THIS WEEK | Noon PDT on MAY 12, 2021 | Virtual

Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry and the Legacy of Justice Thomas Berger: A Conversation with Whit Fraser, Stephen Kakfwi, and Marie Wilson

On April 28th, 2021, former British Columbia Supreme Court Judge, Thomas Berger, passed away at 88 years of age. Berger leaves an enormous legacy in Canada and the world of achievements that stem from a lifetime dedicated to social justice. Three individuals who were intimately involved in one such achievement, the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry and its aftermath – Dene leader Stephen Kakfwi, and CBC reporters Whit Fraser and Marie Wilson – will come together to share stories of their time with Berger and to reflect on his legacy.


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June 2-3, 2021 | VIRTUAL

The Arctic Domain Awareness Center Program Year 7 Annual Meeting

ADAC will conduct the Center's Program Year 7 Annual meeting to focus on U.S. Coast Guard Project Champions, key stakeholders and the community of Arctic science and technology researchers. Included in the Program Year 7 Annual meeting are planned guest speakers from HQ U.S. Coast Guard, DHS S&T and senior Arctic Research leadership in Washington D.C.

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JUNE 2021 | ARKHANGELSK, RUSSIA

10th International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences (ICASS X) Arctic Generations: Looking Back and Looking Forward

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1:00 pm UTC on JUNE 9, 2021 | VIRTUAL

Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3):

Closing Webinar

This meeting is part of the ASM3 webinar series and will focus on the post-ministerial review: joint statement actions.

Event Link

NEW THIS WEEK | 2:30- 5:00 pm (CET) on June 17, 2021 | VIRTUAL

The EU's Arctic Influence: Presentation of a Report on the EU Actions Affecting the Arctic

The seminar will present a report prepared in relation to the project “Overview of EU actions in the Arctic and their impact.” The study considers a broad range of ways in which EU policies affect the Arctic and influence the EU’s environmental footprint and economic presence in the region. During the study the EU’s environmental and economic Arctic impact has been considered, relevant policies have been identified and analysed as well as policy options for strengthening the EU Arctic approach have been proposed. The report has been written by a team of experts led by Prof. Timo Koivurova. The seminar will include the presentation of the study, commentaries from Arctic stakeholders as well as insights into the current stage of developing the new EU’s policy towards the Arctic, to which the report is to contribute.

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OCTOBER 24–29, 2021 | BOULDER, COLORADO, USA

2021 Regional Conference on Permafrost/19th International Conference Cold Regions Engineering

For the first time, a Regional Conference on Permafrost will be combined with the bi-annual 19th International Conference on Cold Regions Engineering. This conference is hosted by the US Permafrost Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the International Permafrost Association, the Permafrost Young Researchers Network, and the University of Colorado Boulder. A complete list of planned sessions is available here.

Event Link

MAY 9-12, 2022 | HANKO, FINLAND

2nd Symposium on Polar Microbes and Viruses

Organizers announce, that due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 2nd Symposium on Polar Microbes and Viruses has been postponed to 2022. This symposium will bring together molecular microbial ecologists specializing in different organism groups to share our latest results and discuss methodological problems, as well as future prospects in the field, including practical international collaborations. The environmental focus will be on cryospheric environments including sea ice, glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost, but excellent research in other polar environments is also invited. The methods to be discussed will focus on 'omics' techniques, ranging from single cells to metagenomes, but research using additional methods is encouraged as well.

Event Link
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