United States
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

US-SCAR News

USAP Sexual Assault and Harassment Needs Assessment

NSF's Office of Polar Programs (OPP) enlisted subject matter experts to examine sexual harassment and sexual assault in the USAP Community and identify corrective actions for concerns revealed by interviews and surveys. Read more about this effort and the report. Continue Reading


Event series for early career scientists deploying to Antarctica

This September the Polar Science Early Career Community Office (PSECCO) is putting on a cohort-building and 'what to expect' series of events for early career researchers (ECRs) headed to Antarctica in the 2022-2023 season. Registration for these events is now open! There are also some events that are absolutely also open to any polar early career scientists who are just generally interested in Antarctica. Event dates and topics are: (i) September 06 - what to expect in Antarctica: a panel discussion for first-timers headed south; (ii) September 13 - lightning talks & social call for early career scientists headed to Antarctica; and (iii) September 22 - Antarctic Governance 101. Read more to access the links for registering. Continue Reading


2022 SCAR Medals include two US scientists

Congratulations to the 2022 SCAR Medal Awardees, which include two US scientists: (1) Elisabeth Sikes (Rutgers University), SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research; and (2) Stephen Ackley (University of Texas at San Antonio), SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination. Other recipients were Pippa Whitehouse (Durham University, UK), SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research; and Bethan Davies (Royal Holloway University and Newcastle University, UK), SCAR Medal for Education and Communication. Continue Reading


Short Term Antarctic Visiting Erskine Fellowships for Senior Academics

The internationally recognised Erskine programme at University of Canterbury (UC), Christchurch, New Zealand currently supports international senior academics to complete lectures to UC undergraduate and postgraduate students. In the spirit of international cooperation associated with Antarctic research and scholarship, and to recognise Christchurch’s role as one of only five Antarctic Gateway cities, the University of Canterbury has recently created a new Short term Antarctic Visiting Erskine Fellowship programme. This new fellowship will support researchers travelling through Ōtautahi/Christchurch on their way to Antarctica to complete short visits (two to four weeks) to connect with University of Canterbury staff and students. Continue Reading


Save the Date: 2023 SOOS Symposium

The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Symposium, Southern Ocean in a Changing World, will be held 14-18 August 2023 in Hobart, Tasmania. The SOOS Symposium will consist of plenary presentations, parallel sessions and workshops. These will be focused around topics and incorporate a wide spectrum of Southern Ocean research. Continue Reading


BAJEDI Training Workshop for Polar Early Career Scientists

The Polar Science Early Career Community Office (PSECCO) is offering a belonging, accessibility, justice, equity, diversity & inclusion (BAJEDI) Training Workshop for polar early career scientists run in conjunction with THRIVE Lifeline, a non-profit dedicated to “changing the landscape of mental health support for people with intersecting marginalized identities” with excellent experience in running BAJEDI workshops for people in the STEMM field. This workshop is open for ALL polar early career scientists (from all stages of ‘early career’ to all disciplines to all identities). This training workshop will be run as a two-part series. Early bird registration closes on August 15th, so be sure to secure your spot by then if you are definitely keen to attend. Registration for the training is $10. Continue Reading


SCAR Open Science Conference Aug 1-10, 2022

The 10th SCAR Open Science Conference will start on Monday August 1. Registration is free. Hope to "see" you there! Continue Reading


US-SCAR Life Sciences Group Meeting (reminder)

Tuesday, July 26. Interested in learning more about the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and getting a quick update on SCAR Life Sciences Group activities and opportunities for involvement? Join the US representatives to the SCAR Life Sciences Group on Tuesday July 26 for a short (one hour) interactive Zoom session. Continue Reading


NSF/OPP Data, Code, and Sample Management Policy

The recommendations and requirements laid out in this letter aim to advance open polar data to maximize the benefit of NSF's investments in research, facilitate transparency and replicability in polar science, and increase the impact of polar research. Office of Polar Programs (OPP) PIs are directed to align their research and dissemination plans and activities with the FAIR data principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) and CARE principles for Indigenous data governance (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics). In this regard, research software/code is identified as a research object and outcome that can also help make data more interoperable and reusable. OPP also recognizes the effort that goes into data and sample management and therefore, beyond encouraging data and sample reuse, OPP expects appropriate authorship, attribution, and citation of data, samples, and code. Continue Reading


SCAR 2022 Visiting Scholar Applications Open

The 2022 SCAR Visiting Scholar scheme is open for applications! The SCAR Visiting Scholars program is for mid- to late-career stage scientists and academics (at least 5 years after completing their PhD) who are involved in Antarctic research. The program provides the opportunity to undertake a short-term visit (1 to 4 weeks) to an institute(s) in another SCAR member country to provide training and mentoring. See SCAR website for details and how to apply. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 28 September 2022. Continue Reading


PSECCO Conference Travel Grant Program launched for US-based polar early career scientists and educators

The Polar Science Early Career Community Office (PSECCO) is opening the PSECCO Conference Travel Grant Program to US-based polar early career scientists and educators who are in need of funding to attend an international or domestic conference at which they intend to present polar science-related content. Travel funding grants aim to support polar early career scientists and educators with demonstrated financial need. The deadline by which to apply is August 14, 2022 at 11.59pm MT. Continue Reading


US-SCAR Geoscience Group Meeting (reminder)

Thursday, July 14. Interested in learning more about the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and getting a quick update on SCAR Geosciences Group activities and opportunities for involvement? Join the US representatives to the SCAR Geosciences Science Group on Thursday July 14 for a short (one hour) interactive Zoom session. Continue Reading


US-SCAR Science Group Meetings (2nd announcement)

In advance of the virtual SCAR Business Meetings (July 27-29) and the SCAR Open Science Conference (August 1-10), US-SCAR will be holding short (one hour) Zoom sessions to provide overviews of SCAR activities for the Geosciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences Groups. These three Science Groups help to coordinate the international collaborations that are the hallmark of SCAR's work. These Science Groups oversee the three SCAR Scientific Research Programs: Near-term Variability and Prediction of the Antarctic Climate System (AntClimnow), Integrated Science to Inform Antarctic and Southern Ocean Conservation (Ant-ICON) and INStabilities and Thresholds in ANTarctica (INSTANT); and these Science Groups have a number of specialized subsidiary bodies that may be of interest to US scientists. Whether you already know about SCAR or want to learn about SCAR, please join us for these informative sessions. There will be ample time provided for questions and discussion. Come learn how to get involved in SCAR. Continue Reading


PSECCO Opportunities for Polar Early Career Scientists

The Polar Science Early Career Community Office (PSECCO) announces the following opportunities for polar early career scientists: (1) PSECCO Social for Polar Early Career Scientists - June 29, 2022, (2) PSECCO Community Space Slack Channel, and (3) NSF Polar Program Office Chat for Early Career Scientists – July 12, 2022. Continue Reading


Polar Research Board: Call for Member Nominations

The National Academies' Polar Research Board (PRB) is currently soliciting nominations for PRB Members. For this call, we particularly encourage nominees with expertise in glaciology, sea ice, marine and terrestrial conservation, hydrology, geology/geophysics, space science, resource management, and science policy. The Board’s purview extends across a wide range of scientific disciplines, and we would also welcome nominees with expertise in permafrost science, physical and biological oceanography, biology and ecology, atmospheric and climate science, sustainability of communities, and other aspects of social science and polar science policy. Nominations are due by Friday, July 8, 2022. Continue Reading


US-SCAR Science Group Meetings

In advance of the virtual SCAR Business Meetings (July 27-29) and the SCAR Open Science Conference (August 1-10), US-SCAR will be holding short (one hour) Zoom sessions to provide overviews of SCAR activities for the Geosciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences Groups. These three Science Groups help to coordinate the international collaborations that are the hallmark of SCAR's work. These Science Groups oversee the three SCAR Scientific Research Programs: Near-term Variability and Prediction of the Antarctic Climate System (AntClimnow), Integrated Science to Inform Antarctic and Southern Ocean Conservation (Ant-ICON) and INStabilities and Thresholds in ANTarctica (INSTANT); and these Science Groups have a number of specialized subsidiary bodies that may be of interest to US scientists. Whether you already know about SCAR or want to learn about SCAR, please join us for these informative sessions. There will be ample time provided for questions and discussion. Come learn how to get involved in SCAR. Continue Reading


2022 OSC Registration Fee Update - fee waived for everyone

SCAR announced today that the registration fee for the Open Science Conference (August 1-10) will be waived for everyone. Attendance at the meeting will be free for all. Continue Reading


SCAR Open Science Conference Registration Fee Reimbursement

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference (OSC) is held every two years and will be a virtual meeting hosted by India from 1-10 August 2022 (https://scar2022.org/). The SCAR OSC is an excellent opportunity to present, hear about and discuss the most recent and important results of Antarctic research in all disciplines at an international venue. Registration fee reimbursement by US-SCAR: Meeting registration is $25 until June 30 ($50 for non-students after June 30). If needed, US-SCAR can reimburse the registration fee ($25 limit) for early career and other researchers who want to attend the SCAR OSC. All meeting attendees can apply for reimbursement of registration, you do not need to be presenting a talk or a poster. Funding is provided by the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, Antarctic Sciences. Continue Reading


Program Manager Chat: Supporting Open Polar and Cryospheric Science at NSF & NASASupporting Open Polar and Cryospheric Science at NSF & NASA

Program Manager Chat: Supporting Open Polar and Cryospheric Science at NSF & NASA. May 31, 4-5pm Eastern. The new Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 articulates the need for continued work towards ethically open data and research practices. But what does “open science” mean for Arctic research funders? And how can you get funding to support it? Come to this IARPC Program Officer Chat with Thorsten Markus & Kaitlin Harbeck (Program Officers for Cryospheric Sciences at NASA) and Allen Pope & Kelly Brunt (Program Officers in the NSF Office for Polar Programs) to talk about what open science means in their programs, and how NASA and NSF provide funding and support to advance open polar and cryospheric science. After short presentations, there will be ample time for Q&A with the panel of program officers. Continue Reading


SCAR OSC Abstract Deadline Extended to 12 June 2022

The deadline for submission of abstracts to the 10th SCAR Open Science Conference has been extended until Sunday, 12th June 2022. Abstracts can be submitted electronically via the Abstract Submission Portal in English on the SCAR 2022 Meetings website. There is no abstract submission fee. The theme of the 10th SCAR Open Science Conference conference is "Antarctica in a Changing World". The conference will be held online. Continue Reading