Seeking your Input on NSF Progress on 2015 Strategic Vision for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research

Strategic Vision for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research

Input Request and Event Announcement

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Mid-Term Assessment of NSF Progress on the 2015 Strategic Vision for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research, we are seeking your input.

In 2015, the National Academies released A Strategic Vision for NSF Investments in Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research, which recommended three large-scale priority research initiatives in addition to a core program of broad-based research for the U.S. National Research Foundation’s Antarctic Program. These priorities are:

1. How fast and by how much will sea level rise? The Changing Antarctic Ice Sheets Initiative.
   1. A multidisciplinary initiative to understand why the Antarctic ice sheets are changing now and how they will change in the future.
   2. Using multiple records of past ice sheet change to understand rates and processes.
2. How do Antarctic biota evolve and adapt to the changing environment? Decoding the genomic and transcriptomic bases of biological adaptation and response across Antarctic organisms and ecosystems.
3. How did the universe begin and what are the underlying physical laws that govern its evolution and ultimate fate? A next-generation cosmic microwave background program.

The National Academies’ committee is currently conducting a mid-term assessment to evaluate the state of progress in reaching the goals recommended in the 2015 study, explore recent scientific and technological developments that provide new opportunities to expand this progress, and address current implementation challenges in advancing these research areas.

In support of the committee’s evaluation of progress toward Priorities 1 and 2, the committee will be holding web conferences via Zoom to get input from the scientific community via facilitated discussions. If you are interested in providing input, please register for the meetings using the links below:

Priority 1 Sessions -- Changing Antarctic ice sheets:
Priority 1a: Jan. 12, 3:30-5:00 pm EST
Priority 1b: Jan. 11, 3:30-5:00 pm EST

Priority 2 Session -- Genomic studies of biological adaptation and evolution:
Jan. 8, 2:00-3:30 PM EST

Discussion questions will be distributed in advance of the meeting, and written input will be accepted from those unable to attend.

Thanks,
Calla Rosenfeld
Program Assistant

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

E: crosenfeld@nas.edu | P: (202) 374-7939