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Call for Nominations

Canadian Atmosphere Working Group Representative, International Arctic Science Committee (IASC)

Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) is seeking nominations for a Canadian representative on the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Atmosphere Working Group. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for this opportunity is December 16, 2016.

IASC is an international scientific organization that encourages and facilitates cooperation and supports leading-edge Arctic research on a circumpolar and international level. As Canada’s adhering body to IASC, POLAR is responsible for appointing Canadian representatives on each of IASC’s Working Groups and appointing a Canadian Delegate to the IASC Council, which sets priorities and guides the work of the organization.

The main functions of the IASC Working Groups are to encourage and support science-led international programs by offering opportunities for planning and coordination, and by facilitating communication and access to facilities. Each of the five IASC Working Groups is comprised of representatives from IASC’s 23 member countries.

Role of the Canadian IASC Atmosphere Representative

The Canadian IASC Atmosphere representative is expected to be an active member of the Working Group, representing Canadian Arctic atmosphere science interests and promoting increased international collaboration. This involves working with other members of the Atmosphere WG and with members of IASC’s four other Working Groups (Cryosphere, Marine, Social and Human, Terrestrial). More specifically, the Canadian representative will work with fellow Working Group members to:

  • Identify research areas where current atmosphere related research is lacking, with particular attention to areas where interdisciplinary actions can be taken;
  • Encourage and facilitate international research programs and initiate conferences, workshops and educational events, including those which are interdisciplinary where appropriate, to assist in addressing key research gaps, especially those which can benefit from international collaboration;
  • Encourage the exchange and dissemination of atmosphere research related information, including with relevant international, regional and national Arctic science organizations;
  • Encourage the initiation and maintenance of observational systems and associated data, and coordination with other long-term observational programs in the Arctic and globally; and,
  • Provide scientific advice to the IASC Council and outside organizations upon request.

Dr. Claude Labine, Campbell Scientific previously served as Canada’s representative on the IASC Atmosphere Working Group.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, a nominee must be based in Canada and meet the following criteria:

  • Significant Canadian Arctic atmospheric research expertise that aligns with:
  • Active involvement within the Canadian Arctic atmosphere scientific research community;
  • Experience representing Canadian Arctic atmosphere science interests internationally;
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English, given that English is the working language of IASC.

In order to successfully fulfill the duties as a Canadian representative on this Working Group, it is important that the representative be present at the annual IASC WG meetings, which take place during Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW). Dates and locations of upcoming ASSW events are as follows:

  • 31 March -7 April 2017 – Prague, Czech Republic
  • 15-26 June 2018 – Davos, Switzerland
  • 2019 – Arkhangelsk, Russia (dates TBD)

Please note that POLAR can provide only modest funds to assist with travel related costs. Therefore, it is important that the candidate have the means to attend annual IASC Working Group meetings in person, through financial support from his or her affiliated institution or other sources.

Selection committee

A selection committee appointed by the President of POLAR will review all nominations and make a recommendation to POLAR.

The Canadian representative will be appointed for a 4-year term, with the possibility of renewal once, following a review after the first term.

Process and closing date for nominations

Self-nominations are welcome. The following documentation must be provided to Susan File, Polar Knowledge Canada (susan.file@polar.gc.ca) no later than December 16, 2016:

  • Nomination or self-nomination letter which indicates the candidate’s name, affiliation, area(s) of expertise, and how the candidate meets the eligibility requirements, including confirmation of the candidate’s ability and financial means to attend the annual IASC Working Group meetings
  • Supporting documentation including the candidate’s curriculum vitae that provides evidence of the candidate’s Arctic science related achievements, including research or policy-related activities, publications, memberships, awards, and distinctions.

For further information or questions, please contact Susan File, Polar Knowledge Canada (susan.file@polar.gc.ca).

BACKGROUND

About the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC)

IASC is a non-governmental, international scientific organization that encourages and facilitates cooperation in all aspects of Arctic research, in all countries engaged in Arctic research and in all areas of the Arctic region. This includes initiating and coordinating scientific activities at a circumpolar Arctic and international level, providing mechanisms and instruments to support science development, and providing objective and independent advice on Arctic science issues and communicating scientific information to the public.

For further information, please visit: http://www.iasc.info/

About the IASC Atmosphere Working Group

The main function of the IASC Working Groups are to encourage and support science-led international programs by offering opportunities for planning and coordination, and by facilitating communication and access to facilities. Though the Working Groups are disciplinary, they also address cross-cutting science questions by initiating activities which involve other Working Groups. The scientific scope of the Atmosphere Working Group includes any scientific research related to understanding and predicting 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 projects. The scope includes local and regional impacts of Arctic change. The geographic scope of the Atmosphere Working Group is the Arctic, but also includes the Arctic’s responses to global change processes (arctic amplification) and impacts of Arctic changes on the northern hemisphere atmospheric circulation.

For further information, please visit: http://iasc.info/working-groups/atmosphere

About Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR)

POLAR advances Canada’s knowledge of the Arctic and strengthens Canadian leadership in polar science and technology.  POLAR consists of the following:

  • A pan-northern science and technology program, which conducts and supports research and monitoring across Canada’s North;
  • The world-class Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) campus in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, which will be operational in 2017; and,
  • A knowledge management, engagement, and coordination function to support polar research, which involves strengthening and coordinating partnerships and collaboration between researchers, and helping ensure that research results inform policies and programs.

POLAR is Canada’s adhering body to the International Arctic Science Committee and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. It is responsible for appointing a Canadian delegate to the IASC Council and Canadian representatives on each IASC Working Group.

For further information, please visit: http://www.canada.ca/en/polar-knowledge/

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