History of EU-PolarNet 1
EU-PolarNet 1 was a consortium of expertise and infrastructure for polar research where seventeen countries were represented by 22 of Europe’s internationally-respected multi-disciplinary research institutions.
From 2015-2020, EU-PolarNet developed and delivered a strategic framework and mechanisms to prioritise science, optimise the use of polar infrastructure, and broker new partnerships that would lead to the co-design of polar research projects that deliver tangible benefits for society. By adopting a higher degree of coordination of polar research and operations than has existed previously the consortium engaged in closer cooperation with all relevant actors on an international level.
EU-PolarNet 1
EU-PolarNet 1
Objectives
EU-PolarNet 1 aimed to improve coordination between EU member polar research institutions build on existing networks to create a resource orientated infrastructure access and usage plan. This plan would allow for the co-ordination of data and infrastructure between all the partner organisations.
EU-PolarNet 1 has developed an integrated EU Polar research programme by identifying short and long-term scientific needs and optimising the use of co-ordinated Polar infrastructure for multi-platform science missions whilst fostering transdisciplinary collaboration on Polar research.
EU-PolarNet 1 has created and implemented ongoing dialogue and cooperation with Polar stakeholders by supporting meaningful interaction to shape future research, exchange key information and foster joint involvement.
Research Coordination
Research Optimization
Stakeholder Involvement
Research Coordination
Research Optimization
Stakeholder Involvement
EU-PolarNet 1 Partners
- Alfred Wegener Institut Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar und Meeresforschung (AWI)
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Secretariat (AMAP)
- Austrian Polar Research Institute (APRI)
- British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
- Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI)
- Istituto di Scienze Polari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISP-CNR)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Agencia EStatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS)
- Gronlands Naturinstitut (GINR)
- Instytut Geofizyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk (IGF-PAS)
- Instituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território da Universidade de Lisboa (IGOT-UL)
- Institut Polaire Francais Paul Emile Victor (IPEV)
- Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)
- Norges Forskningsråd (RCN)
- Oulun Yliopisto (UOULU)
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG)
- Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SPRS)
- Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (IG-TUT)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
- World Ocean Limited (WOC)
EU-PolarNet 1 Partners
- Alfred Wegener Institut Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar und Meeresforschung (AWI)
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Secretariat (AMAP)
- Austrian Polar Research Institute (APRI)
- British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
- Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI)
- Istituto di Scienze Polari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISP-CNR)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Agencia EStatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS)
- Gronlands Naturinstitut (GINR)
- Instytut Geofizyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk (IGF-PAS)
- Instituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território da Universidade de Lisboa (IGOT-UL)
- Institut Polaire Francais Paul Emile Victor (IPEV)
- Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)
- Norges Forskningsråd (RCN)
- Oulun Yliopisto (UOULU)
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG)
- Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SPRS)
- Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (IG-TUT)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
- World Ocean Limited (WOC)
EU-PolarNet 1 Cooperation Partners
European Polar Board
The European Polar Board (EPB) is a think tank and the European high-level facilitator of cooperation between European national funding agencies, national polar institutes and research organisations. EPB acts in the European context, with a bipolar vision, a scientific and managerial membership and the ability to support scientific activities and cooperation by means of coordinated polar facilities and field operations. Over 40 polar stations in the Arctic and Antarctic are managed by EPB members.Outcomes from the EU-PolarNet will add long-term value to EPB activity in providing strategic science policy advice to the European Commission and other international bodies. A major benefit of the involvement and support of the EPB is that the legacy of EU-PolarNet can be reliably sustained by the Board into the future. Visit the EPB website.
EU-PolarNet 1 Cooperation Partners
European Polar Board
The European Polar Board (EPB) is a think tank and the European high-level facilitator of cooperation between European national funding agencies, national polar institutes and research organisations. EPB acts in the European context, with a bipolar vision, a scientific and managerial membership and the ability to support scientific activities and cooperation by means of coordinated polar facilities and field operations. Over 40 polar stations in the Arctic and Antarctic are managed by EPB members.Outcomes from the EU-PolarNet will add long-term value to EPB activity in providing strategic science policy advice to the European Commission and other international bodies. A major benefit of the involvement and support of the EPB is that the legacy of EU-PolarNet can be reliably sustained by the Board into the future. Visit the EPB website.
EU-PolarNet 1 International Partners
- Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute St. Petersburg (AARI)
- ArcticNet, Canada's Network of Centres of Excellence
- Arctic Portal
- Arctic Science Partnership (ASP)
- Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)
- BILAT USA 2.0
- Canadian Polar Commission (CPC)
- Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
- Danish Polar Secretariat of the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science
- Danish Technical University (DTU Aqua)
- European Climate Research Alliance, Arctic Programme (Arctic ECRA)
- EU-Arctic Information Centre
- Forum of Arctic Research Operators (FARO)
- International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA)
- International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA)
- International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT)
- National Science Foundation – Division of Polar Programs (USA)
- Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH, USA)
- Scientific Committe on Antarctic Research (SCAR)
- Swiss Polar Institute
- University of Manitoba
- University of the Arctic (UArctic)
- World Climate Research Programme Climate and Cryosphere Project (CliC)
- World Meteorological Organisation´s World Weather Research Programme, Polar Prediction Project (WWRP-PPP)
EU-PolarNet 1 International Partners
- Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute St. Petersburg (AARI)
- ArcticNet, Canada's Network of Centres of Excellence
- Arctic Portal
- Arctic Science Partnership (ASP)
- Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)
- BILAT USA 2.0
- Canadian Polar Commission (CPC)
- Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
- Danish Polar Secretariat of the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science
- Danish Technical University (DTU Aqua)
- European Climate Research Alliance, Arctic Programme (Arctic ECRA)
- EU-Arctic Information Centre
- Forum of Arctic Research Operators (FARO)
- International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA)
- International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA)
- International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT)
- National Science Foundation – Division of Polar Programs (USA)
- Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH, USA)
- Scientific Committe on Antarctic Research (SCAR)
- Swiss Polar Institute
- University of Manitoba
- University of the Arctic (UArctic)
- World Climate Research Programme Climate and Cryosphere Project (CliC)
- World Meteorological Organisation´s World Weather Research Programme, Polar Prediction Project (WWRP-PPP)
EU-PolarNet 1 External Expert Advisory Board
The EU-PolarNet Advisory Board brings together six external polar leaders – all experts in their various fields, ranging from natural sciences, to politics, tourism and cultural heritage. This composition makes the Advisory Board an ideal body to stimulate new collaborations with international partners and organisations.
The main task of the Advisory Board will be to advise EU-PolarNet in questions related to the implementation of a Transatlantic Research Alliance and to the cooperation with third countries. Furthermore the members will closely cooperate with the project’s Executive Board and the Management Support Team to assist in strategic steering decisions and policy developments.
Finally, the Advisory Board will critically review and give feedback to the project progress, reflected mainly in the deliverables, in order to ensure their relevance and excellence.
EU-PolarNet 1 External Expert Advisory Board
The EU-PolarNet Advisory Board brings together six external polar leaders – all experts in their various fields, ranging from natural sciences, to politics, tourism and cultural heritage. This composition makes the Advisory Board an ideal body to stimulate new collaborations with international partners and organisations.
The main task of the Advisory Board will be to advise EU-PolarNet in questions related to the implementation of a Transatlantic Research Alliance and to the cooperation with third countries. Furthermore the members will closely cooperate with the project’s Executive Board and the Management Support Team to assist in strategic steering decisions and policy developments.
Finally, the Advisory Board will critically review and give feedback to the project progress, reflected mainly in the deliverables, in order to ensure their relevance and excellence.
Advisory Board Members
Carlota Escutia
ECORD Science Coordinator and Vice-Chair ECORD Science Support and Advisory Committee
David Scott
President of Polar Knowledge Canada
Fran Ulmer
Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission
Kim Crosbie
Executive Director IAATO
Renuka Badhe
Executive Secretary of the European Polar Board
Steven Chown
SCAR President, Head of the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University
Susan Barr
IASC President, Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage
Advisory Board Members
Carlota Escutia
ECORD Science Coordinator and Vice-Chair ECORD Science Support and Advisory Committee
David Scott
President of Polar Knowledge Canada
Fran Ulmer
Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission
Kim Crosbie
Executive Director IAATO
Renuka Badhe
Executive Secretary of the European Polar Board
Steven Chown
SCAR President, Head of the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University
Susan Barr
IASC President, Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage
EU-PolarNet 1 Work Packages
It was the ambition of EU-PolarNet to improve and strengthen international cooperation in polar research, to develop an integrated European research programme and an resource-orientated infrastructure and useage plan and initiate, conduct and sustain a meaningful dialogue with polar stakeholders.
Nicole Biebow
WP1 leader
Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI)
International Integration and Policy Guidance - WP1
International Integration and Policy Guidance
Work Package 1 includes project management and a strategic component, both targeted to supporting the EU-PolarNet actions. Work Package 1 will guarantee an effective, smooth and high-quality performance of the EU-PolarNet project, with respect to both contractual and financial management as well as operational and strategic management. It will provide support to the other EU-PolarNet work packages by organising the so called Town Hall Meetings, workshops and policy briefings.
Additionally, Work Package 1 also has strategic objectives, such as developing a strategy to connect and integrate EU-PolarNet with international partners and organisations. A robust communication between EU-PolarNet and its international partners will be implemented and sustained with the support of Work Package 4. Work Package 1 will support the European Commission and national decision makers by providing evidence – based guidance to policy questions related to the polar regions.
Work Package tasks and objectives
- Task 1.1 – The contractual and financial management of EU-PolarNet;
- Task 1.2 – The operational management, the coordination of the work package and task leaders, as well as the consortium’s internal communication, in order to guarantee an effective day-to-day management and create group dynamics and integration for the whole consortium.
- Task 1.3 – To strengthen and improve the international cooperation and to implement the Transatlantic Research Alliance;
- Task 1.4 – The evidence-based policy guidance, in order to Support the implementation of the EU´s international commitments in the Polar Regions.
Marie-Noelle Houssais
WP2 leader Centre National de la Recherché Scientifique (CNRS)
Polar Research for Science and Society - WP2
Polar Research for Science and Society
The significance of the Polar Regions as key components of a tele-connected Earth System, influencing climate, weather, and future sea level rise at lower latitudes; and in turn themselves influenced by tropical and mid-latitude processes, is well recognised by the international scientific community. The value to society of the living resources of both polar regions and, in the case of the Arctic, its mineral resources, is also acknowledged. Increasing accessibility in the polar regions brings an increasing human footprint and the need for appropriate sustainable management of polar resources and support for polar societies which will require a framework of reliable scientific knowledge to address effectively.
Scientific and technological advances across various environmental spheres generate substantial amounts of scientific data, and polar research has made very significant contributions in recent decades but the polar regions remain comparatively data-poor and the data distribution is very patchy for some disciplines, when compared to lower latitudes.
All the above challenges will require substantial, ongoing scientific contributions from the research community. There is, further, a clear case in the harsh and isolated polar environments for innovative technologies to be developed and deployed to support scientific investigations as well as increased use of products from existing and planned remote sensing satellite platforms.
EU-PolarNet’s strong connections to both the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) will drive forward the development of a European Research Programme that has clear strategic European science priorities and a distinct direction for the management and development of the polar infrastructure required to support them. Our new approach of involving stakeholders from the outset to co-design research proposals will ensure that scientific research outcomes are directly relevant and beneficial to society and business.
Tasks
- Task 2.1: Identification of key polar research questions for Europe
- Task 2.2: Development of co-designed White Papers addressing urgent polar research questions
- Task 2.3: Optimisation of existing monitoring and modelling programmes
- Task 2.4: Integrated European Polar Research Programme
Objectives
- Improve coordination in European Polar Research and develop an Integrated European Polar Research Programme co-designed from the outset with all relevant stakeholders.
- Support the coordination and optimisation of existing polar monitoring and modelling programmes and related infrastructure operated by European nations as well as improve links to non-European programmes such as SEARCH, AON in the United States, and ArcticNet in Canada.
- Provide a platform and mechanisms for European polar scientists from all the major European institutions to work together to identify current and emerging research goals that will advance Earth System Science and, particularly, a much better understanding of the Polar Regions.
- Work in partnership with IASC, SCAR and other organisations with responsibility for coordinating longer-term international polar research activities in one or both Polar Regions (such as the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) or the International Permafrost Association (IPA)) to influence future funding from national, EU and international agencies.
- Bring together and critically review the polar-related research priorities identified by international and national bodies to establish those priorities of particular relevance to Europe.
- Facilitate a more effective dialogue between a wide range of stakeholders, to allow them to present their views on the priority issues for Polar Regions and identify their needs from the European research community.
- Build on the knowledge and experience of previous international initiatives to deliver an ambitious, but realistic strategic implementation plan for a European Polar Research Programme and provide guidance to research programme managers and funding agencies for its realisation.
- Build on the success of one-off EU funded polar projects in recent Framework Programmes (notably in FP6 and FP7) such as DAMOCLES, SEARCH for DAMOCLES, ACCESS, EURO-POLAR, PAGE21, Past4Future, ArcRisk and INTERACT, and more recent projects such as ICE-ARC.
Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley
WP3 leader
British Antarctic Survey(BAS)
Infastructures, Facilities and Data - WP3
Infrastructures, Facilities and Data
Europe has a long tradition and a very strong reputation for world-class scientific research in the polar regions. This research is enabled and supported by significant and substantial scientific infrastructures, facilities and platforms operated by many European nations in both the Arctic and Antarctica. Whilst there is already a degree of coordination and cooperation between European polar operators there is great potential for these considerable resources to be used more coherently and effectively to deliver the highest quality European research. There is also a significant opportunity to link much more productively with other nations in the wider international polar science community, including those without infrastructure or facilities and with businesses that operate infrastructures in the Polar Regions, such as shipping. This will allow implementation of mechanisms for joint programming of infrastructure, particularly of polar ships to allow bigger and more complex science projects to be undertaken.
The data produced by European polar research is difficult and expensive to collect and needs to be effectively managed, served, and archived for a wide range of users. However, polar data management has lacked central co-ordination at the European level, and as a result is fragmented and the data often very difficult to access and use or be supplied in a timely manner. There is also a need to link with data sets held by other polar nations, particularly those in North America, with a similarly long record of polar research.
Tasks
- Task 3.1 – Polar Platforms: research ships, stations, aircraft and autonomous instrumentation
- Task 3.2 – Satellites, communication and remote sensing
- Task 3.3 – Data Management and Interoperability
Objectives
- Design a resource-oriented European infrastructure access and usage plan for the Integrated Polar Research Programme.
- Work towards a coordinated European polar research data infrastructure and improve open access to quality-controlled data.
- Enable far better coordination among European partners to maximise the use of polar research infrastructures, facilities and assets, in order to optimize their use, broaden opportunities for participation by scientists and equipment, and allow multiple-platform science missions.
- Identify short-term and long-term scientific needs for European polar research infrastructures to address gaps and give recommendations for adjustments and better use of available infrastructures.
- Interact with businesses that operate infrastructure in Polar Regions and work towards charged usage of these infrastructures.
- Bring together and build on current EU polar networking and infrastructure activities (e.g. Svalbard Integrated Earth Observing System (SIOS), Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS), European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory (EMSO), EISCAT-3D, EUROFLEETS2, Arctic Research Icebreaker Consortium for Europe (ARICE), International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT) and Fixed-point Open Ocean Observatories (FixO3)) to establish the principles and mechanisms for wider transnational scientific access to European infrastructures and facilities, including research stations, ships, aircraft and large instruments.
- Work with operational managers of national polar programmes to develop a decadal scale integrated infrastructure implementation plan funded by national partners.
- Determine the best approach to wider and more coordinated use of space-based assets, spanning satellite communication, navigation and observation, to support European polar operators.
Carlo Barbante
WP4 leader
Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR-DTA)
Infastructures, Facilities and Data - WP4
Interaction with Stakeholders
The main objective of Work Package 4 is to create and deliver a framework and implementation plan to facilitate mutually beneficial engagement and interaction between EU-PolarNet research programme participants and stakeholders from a wide variety of public and private sectors including policy, business, non-governmental organisations (NGO’s), the international research community, as well as wider society including young people.
Tasks
- Task 4.1 – Identification of stakeholders: existing and potential
- Task 4.2 – Identification of stakeholder needs
- Task 4.3 – Communication and outreach
Objectives
- Initiate, conduct and sustain an on-going dialogue and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders for the Polar Regions.
- Support meaningful interactions between scientists and stakeholders to shape the future polar research agenda, exchange key information and priorities, and foster joint involvement in the research process.
- Develop innovative approaches to bridge disciplinary and cultural gaps to integrate multiple types and sources of knowledge, visions, needs and preferences.
- Establish trans-disciplinary collaboration on polar research by bringing together natural scientists, social scientists and stakeholders.
- Embed the concept of social and economic relevance within the research programme.
- Provide evidence to demonstrate the use of data and research results by end users.
- Develop a suite of innovative combination of stakeholder engagement and analysis techniques to guarantee efficient interaction.
- Equip EU-PolarNet participants with “tools” and resources to development engagement plans.
- Provide flexibility of approach to cope with the evolving project needs.
EU-PolarNet 1 Work Packages
It was the ambition of EU-PolarNet to improve and strengthen international cooperation in polar research, to develop an integrated European research programme and an resource-orientated infrastructure and useage plan and initiate, conduct and sustain a meaningful dialogue with polar stakeholders.
Nicole Biebow
WP1 leader
Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI)
International Integration and Policy Guidance - WP1
International Integration and Policy Guidance
Work Package 1 includes project management and a strategic component, both targeted to supporting the EU-PolarNet actions. Work Package 1 will guarantee an effective, smooth and high-quality performance of the EU-PolarNet project, with respect to both contractual and financial management as well as operational and strategic management. It will provide support to the other EU-PolarNet work packages by organising the so called Town Hall Meetings, workshops and policy briefings.
Additionally, Work Package 1 also has strategic objectives, such as developing a strategy to connect and integrate EU-PolarNet with international partners and organisations. A robust communication between EU-PolarNet and its international partners will be implemented and sustained with the support of Work Package 4. Work Package 1 will support the European Commission and national decision makers by providing evidence – based guidance to policy questions related to the polar regions.
Work Package tasks and objectives
- Task 1.1 – The contractual and financial management of EU-PolarNet;
- Task 1.2 – The operational management, the coordination of the work package and task leaders, as well as the consortium’s internal communication, in order to guarantee an effective day-to-day management and create group dynamics and integration for the whole consortium.
- Task 1.3 – To strengthen and improve the international cooperation and to implement the Transatlantic Research Alliance;
- Task 1.4 – The evidence-based policy guidance, in order to Support the implementation of the EU´s international commitments in the Polar Regions.
Marie-Noelle Houssais
WP2 leader Centre National de la Recherché Scientifique (CNRS)
Polar Research for Science and Society - WP2
Polar Research for Science and Society
The significance of the Polar Regions as key components of a tele-connected Earth System, influencing climate, weather, and future sea level rise at lower latitudes; and in turn themselves influenced by tropical and mid-latitude processes, is well recognised by the international scientific community. The value to society of the living resources of both polar regions and, in the case of the Arctic, its mineral resources, is also acknowledged. Increasing accessibility in the polar regions brings an increasing human footprint and the need for appropriate sustainable management of polar resources and support for polar societies which will require a framework of reliable scientific knowledge to address effectively.
Scientific and technological advances across various environmental spheres generate substantial amounts of scientific data, and polar research has made very significant contributions in recent decades but the polar regions remain comparatively data-poor and the data distribution is very patchy for some disciplines, when compared to lower latitudes.
All the above challenges will require substantial, ongoing scientific contributions from the research community. There is, further, a clear case in the harsh and isolated polar environments for innovative technologies to be developed and deployed to support scientific investigations as well as increased use of products from existing and planned remote sensing satellite platforms.
EU-PolarNet’s strong connections to both the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) will drive forward the development of a European Research Programme that has clear strategic European science priorities and a distinct direction for the management and development of the polar infrastructure required to support them. Our new approach of involving stakeholders from the outset to co-design research proposals will ensure that scientific research outcomes are directly relevant and beneficial to society and business.
Tasks
- Task 2.1: Identification of key polar research questions for Europe
- Task 2.2: Development of co-designed White Papers addressing urgent polar research questions
- Task 2.3: Optimisation of existing monitoring and modelling programmes
- Task 2.4: Integrated European Polar Research Programme
Objectives
- Improve coordination in European Polar Research and develop an Integrated European Polar Research Programme co-designed from the outset with all relevant stakeholders.
- Support the coordination and optimisation of existing polar monitoring and modelling programmes and related infrastructure operated by European nations as well as improve links to non-European programmes such as SEARCH, AON in the United States, and ArcticNet in Canada.
- Provide a platform and mechanisms for European polar scientists from all the major European institutions to work together to identify current and emerging research goals that will advance Earth System Science and, particularly, a much better understanding of the Polar Regions.
- Work in partnership with IASC, SCAR and other organisations with responsibility for coordinating longer-term international polar research activities in one or both Polar Regions (such as the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) or the International Permafrost Association (IPA)) to influence future funding from national, EU and international agencies.
- Bring together and critically review the polar-related research priorities identified by international and national bodies to establish those priorities of particular relevance to Europe.
- Facilitate a more effective dialogue between a wide range of stakeholders, to allow them to present their views on the priority issues for Polar Regions and identify their needs from the European research community.
- Build on the knowledge and experience of previous international initiatives to deliver an ambitious, but realistic strategic implementation plan for a European Polar Research Programme and provide guidance to research programme managers and funding agencies for its realisation.
- Build on the success of one-off EU funded polar projects in recent Framework Programmes (notably in FP6 and FP7) such as DAMOCLES, SEARCH for DAMOCLES, ACCESS, EURO-POLAR, PAGE21, Past4Future, ArcRisk and INTERACT, and more recent projects such as ICE-ARC.
Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley
WP3 leader
British Antarctic Survey(BAS)
Infastructures, Facilities and Data - WP3
Infrastructures, Facilities and Data
Europe has a long tradition and a very strong reputation for world-class scientific research in the polar regions. This research is enabled and supported by significant and substantial scientific infrastructures, facilities and platforms operated by many European nations in both the Arctic and Antarctica. Whilst there is already a degree of coordination and cooperation between European polar operators there is great potential for these considerable resources to be used more coherently and effectively to deliver the highest quality European research. There is also a significant opportunity to link much more productively with other nations in the wider international polar science community, including those without infrastructure or facilities and with businesses that operate infrastructures in the Polar Regions, such as shipping. This will allow implementation of mechanisms for joint programming of infrastructure, particularly of polar ships to allow bigger and more complex science projects to be undertaken.
The data produced by European polar research is difficult and expensive to collect and needs to be effectively managed, served, and archived for a wide range of users. However, polar data management has lacked central co-ordination at the European level, and as a result is fragmented and the data often very difficult to access and use or be supplied in a timely manner. There is also a need to link with data sets held by other polar nations, particularly those in North America, with a similarly long record of polar research.
Tasks
- Task 3.1 – Polar Platforms: research ships, stations, aircraft and autonomous instrumentation
- Task 3.2 – Satellites, communication and remote sensing
- Task 3.3 – Data Management and Interoperability
Objectives
- Design a resource-oriented European infrastructure access and usage plan for the Integrated Polar Research Programme.
- Work towards a coordinated European polar research data infrastructure and improve open access to quality-controlled data.
- Enable far better coordination among European partners to maximise the use of polar research infrastructures, facilities and assets, in order to optimize their use, broaden opportunities for participation by scientists and equipment, and allow multiple-platform science missions.
- Identify short-term and long-term scientific needs for European polar research infrastructures to address gaps and give recommendations for adjustments and better use of available infrastructures.
- Interact with businesses that operate infrastructure in Polar Regions and work towards charged usage of these infrastructures.
- Bring together and build on current EU polar networking and infrastructure activities (e.g. Svalbard Integrated Earth Observing System (SIOS), Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS), European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory (EMSO), EISCAT-3D, EUROFLEETS2, Arctic Research Icebreaker Consortium for Europe (ARICE), International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT) and Fixed-point Open Ocean Observatories (FixO3)) to establish the principles and mechanisms for wider transnational scientific access to European infrastructures and facilities, including research stations, ships, aircraft and large instruments.
- Work with operational managers of national polar programmes to develop a decadal scale integrated infrastructure implementation plan funded by national partners.
- Determine the best approach to wider and more coordinated use of space-based assets, spanning satellite communication, navigation and observation, to support European polar operators.
Carlo Barbante
WP4 leader
Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR-DTA)
Infastructures, Facilities and Data - WP4
Interaction with Stakeholders
The main objective of Work Package 4 is to create and deliver a framework and implementation plan to facilitate mutually beneficial engagement and interaction between EU-PolarNet research programme participants and stakeholders from a wide variety of public and private sectors including policy, business, non-governmental organisations (NGO’s), the international research community, as well as wider society including young people.
Tasks
- Task 4.1 – Identification of stakeholders: existing and potential
- Task 4.2 – Identification of stakeholder needs
- Task 4.3 – Communication and outreach
Objectives
- Initiate, conduct and sustain an on-going dialogue and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders for the Polar Regions.
- Support meaningful interactions between scientists and stakeholders to shape the future polar research agenda, exchange key information and priorities, and foster joint involvement in the research process.
- Develop innovative approaches to bridge disciplinary and cultural gaps to integrate multiple types and sources of knowledge, visions, needs and preferences.
- Establish trans-disciplinary collaboration on polar research by bringing together natural scientists, social scientists and stakeholders.
- Embed the concept of social and economic relevance within the research programme.
- Provide evidence to demonstrate the use of data and research results by end users.
- Develop a suite of innovative combination of stakeholder engagement and analysis techniques to guarantee efficient interaction.
- Equip EU-PolarNet participants with “tools” and resources to development engagement plans.
- Provide flexibility of approach to cope with the evolving project needs.