US-SCAR News

SCAR is pleased to announce the launch of its 'Visiting Professor Scheme 2014'. The scheme is designed to encourage the active involvement of scientists and academics in Antarctic research, and to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in Antarctic research. The Visiting Professorship is for mid- to late-career stage scientists and academics (at least 5 years after completing their PhD) who are involved in Antarctic research, providing the opportunity for them to undertake a short-term visit (1 to 4 weeks) to an institute in another SCAR member country, to provide training and mentoring. Continue Reading

The Antarctic Environments Portal (Portal) project and APECS will jointly convene a workshop for Early Career Scientists (ECSs) at the upcoming SCAR Open Science Conference (OSC) in Auckland, New Zealand. This workshop is a great opportunity for ECSs to be involved in the development of a potentially significant tool to link Antarctic science and Antarctic policy. The workshop is open to 25 ECS applicants who will also receive a NZ$50 grant each as contribution towards their expenses. Funding for the workshop is kindly provided by the Norwegian Government. Apply by 30 June 2014. Continue Reading

The National Research Council (NRC) Committee to Advise NSF Science Priorities for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research is seeking your input on "Future Science Opportunities in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean", as well as other relevant efforts such as the SCAR Horizon Scan. As input for this study, the committee is drawing widely on the expertise and experience of people across the Antarctic and Southern Ocean science communities. We are planning a series of outreach events to be held at various locations across the country, where you may have an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas in person (dates and locations will be circulated once the plans for these events are further solidified). In addition, we've set up an online "Virtual Town Hall" where you are invited to submit your ideas in writing. This NRC study presents an important opportunity to help shape the future of Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, and we do hope you will submit your comments and ideas. The committee welcomes and values your ideas. The window for input will remain open for the next several months (until November 1, 2014), so you should have ample time to contribute. Continue Reading

The 10th annual Polar Technology Conference was hosted by the Pervasive Technology Institute of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, on 15-17 April. The presentations from the conference are now available on-line. Continue Reading

Antarctica has been the focus of a major conference in Queenstown over Easter. Dozens of scientists came together, and for once they were not after answers, but questions. The world’s best Antarctic scientists say we cannot ignore the icy continent. Fifty-five scientists from 24 countries have convened in Queenstown for the first-ever Antarctic and Southern Ocean Horizon Scan conference. Their aim was to come up with the most important questions about Antarctica that need to be answered in the next 20 years. Delegates submitted 800 questions, and they were culled to about 100 over the three days of the conference. Continue Reading

SCAR and the Selection Committee for the Martha T Muse Prize for Antarctic science and policy join the Tinker Foundation in mourning the passing of Martha T Muse on 9th February 2014. Martha was a founding director of the Tinker Foundation. She served as its president for 27 years and its chairman for 33 years, retiring in 2008. It was under her direction that the Foundation became a leading funder of Latin American-related activities, providing support for educational, environmental, security, economic, legal and governance issues. One of her final directives to the Tinker Foundation was incorporating Antarctica-related subjects under its funding mandate. Her passion for Antarctica was recognised with the Tinker Foundation establishing the Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica, an award for mid-career Antarctic scientists and policy makers, recognised as leaders of tomorrow. The First Martha T Muse Fellows Colloquium will be held in her honour, in conjunction with the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Horizon Scan, in April 2014 in New Zealand. Continue Reading

Travel Grant Application forms for U.S. scientists to support travel to the SCAR Open Science Conference to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from 25 - 28 August, 2014 are now available. Please return completed application WITH your submitted OSC abstract to Terry Wilson by March 24, 2014. Continue Reading

The 10th annual Polar Technology Conference will be hosted by the Pervasive Technology Institute of the Indiana University on 15-17 April 2014. Presentations in all technology fields are invited. Abstracts for oral presentations received after 24 March will only be considered if there is an open slot in the schedule. Abstracts will be considered in the order received. The block of rooms reserved at the conference hotel will be released after 13 March. For new reservations, the Biddle Hotel will honor the conference rate, after that date, only if rooms are available. Continue Reading

The Polar world and SCAR have lost a great friend. Phil Smith, known to SCAR members as the leader of the review that led to major restructuring of SCAR in the early 2000s, passed on February 16, 2014. SCAR members owe a great debt to Phil and those of us who knew him well, some for over 50 years, will miss his skills, humour, and leadership. SCAR today is a far better and more relevant organization due largely to the efforts of Phil Smith. Continue Reading

Travel Grant Application forms for U.S. scientists to support travel to the SCAR Open Science Conference to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from 25 - 28 August, 2014 are now available. Please return completed application WITH your submitted OSC abstract to Terry Wilson by March 24th, 2014. Continue Reading

An important SCAR activity is recognition of excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and outstanding service to the international Antarctic community, both of which are critical to advancing SCAR‘s vision and mission. Peer-recognition rewards and highlights those who exemplify the best of the Antarctic community and serve as models for the next generation of scientists and researchers. SCAR created the Medals to provide this recognition: the Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research and the Medal for International Scientific Coordination. The deadline for nominations for the 2014 medals is 15th March 2014. Continue Reading

The Antarctic Near-Shore and Terrestrial Observing System (ANTOS) is proposed as a Life Sciences Expert Group which will survey the impact of change on Antarctic life. A workshop, aimed at developing an implementation framework for ANTOS, will be held in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday 22 August 2014, immediately prior to the start of the XXXIII SCAR meetings. Continue Reading

The report for the NSF-sponsored workshop held at the University of Houston on November 7th and 8th, 2013 is now available. In this workshop U.S.-based scientists discussed future drilling projects in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The report can be found at: http://agdw.uh.edu/. Continue Reading

The 10th annual Polar Technology Conference will be hosted by the Pervasive Technology Institute of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, on 15-17 April. Conference registration is now available. Abstracts for oral and/or poster presentations may also be submitted. Presentations in all technology fields are invited. Regular oral presentations and a poster session will be scheduled. Abstracts for oral presentations received after 14 March may not be considered. Continue Reading

The abstract deadline is THIS FRIDAY 28th February for the SCAR Open Science Conference to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, on August 25th – 28th, 2014. Remember that there will be travel support for U.S. participants in the SCAR Open Science Conference, targeted at early career researchers, faculty and students. Continue Reading

Three leading Antarctic organisations today announce opportunities for early career researchers. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) are working together to attract talented early career researchers, scientists, engineers and other professionals to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in fields such as climate, biodiversity, conservation, humanities and astrophysics research. Continue Reading

An important SCAR activity is recognition of excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and outstanding service to the international Antarctic community both of which are critical to advancing SCAR’s vision and mission. Peer-recognition rewards and highlights those who exemplify the best of the Antarctic community and serve as models for the next generation of scientists and researchers. SCAR created the Medals to provide this recognition: the Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research and the Medal for International Scientific Coordination. To encourage nominations and ensure an open, fair and transparent selection process, recipients of the medals are selected by committee. Continue Reading

The “Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica” is a US$ 100,000 unrestricted award presented to an individual in the fields of Antarctic science or policy who has demonstrated potential for sustained and significant contributions that will enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica. The Prize is inspired by Martha T. Muse’s passion for Antarctica and is intended to be a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008. The prize-winner can be from any country and work in any field of Antarctic science or policy. The goal is to provide recognition of the important work being done by the individual and to call attention to the significance of understanding Antarctica in a time of change. Continue Reading

SCAR Open Science Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, August 25th – 28th, 2014. The closing date for submissions of abstracts has been extended to 28 February 2014, to assist those still returning from the field. Remember that there will be travel support for U.S. participants in the SCAR Open Science Conference, targeted at early career researchers, faculty and students. Continue Reading

The NSF Antarctic Sciences Section of the Division of Polar Programs is providing funds to support participation of U.S. scientists in the 6th biennial SCAR Open Science Conference in Auckland, New Zealand. In order to maximize the number of participants supported, we anticipate funding per individual will be in the range of $2,000-2,500 USD. An application form will be posted shortly on the U.S. SCAR web site. The Abstract Deadline for the OSC is February 14th, 2014. Continue Reading