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News archive

2012 (2)

18.01.2012

Time to register for the IPY 2012 conference

The review of the abstracts received for the IPY 2012 From Knowledge to Action Conference is completed and letters of acceptance have been sent out. In total 837 oral presentations have been accepted and 1222 posters. Presenters must register this week. Early bird registration deadline is February 29th.

07.01.2012

Updating the IPY Publications Database for the IPY 2012 Conference in Montreal

The organizations maintaining the IPY Publications Database are working hard to provide up-to-date coverage in time for the IPY 2012 conference in Montreal April 22-27. If you have IPY 2007-2008 publications to report, please read and act on this message.

2011 (3)

23.09.2011

One week left till Abstract Deadline

From Knowledge to Action Conference: Submit your abstract by September 30, 2011 to be part of one of the most ambitious conferences focused on the polar regions ever held.

08.08.2011

Reminder: Call for abstracts

The Call for Abstracts for oral and poster presentations in The IPY 2012 Conference From Knowledge to Action opened mid July. Conference organizers invite you to submit abstracts on the latest polar science, as well as the application of polar research findings, policy implications and how to take polar knowledge to action.

13.05.2011

2nd Circular out for IPY 2012 in Montreal

In a little less than a year the International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 Conference will be held in Montreal, Canada. The dates are April 22 to 27, 2012. The overall purpose is to move From Knowledge to Action on Polar Issues. Now is the time to start planning your participation.

2010 (58)

08.11.2010

1st Circular out for IPY 2012 MONTRÉAL

The steering committee for the From Knowledge to Action Conference has made its first announcement. You are invited to give feedback on the four areas that are proposed and present your suggestion for sessions.

13.06.2010

Encounters on Polar Street

Around 2300 scientists, policy makers, teachers and students have attended one or more of the 1800 or so presentations that have been held during the IPY-OSC week. We asked some of them about their experiences.

12.06.2010

Survey shows Norwegians believe in science

The cold winter has not affected Norwegians’ belief that climate change is man-made. However, the issue is no longer seen as quite so urgent in people’s minds, according to the latest results of the TNS Gallup Climate Barometer.

12.06.2010

International Polar Year officially closed

The International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY), the largest polar research and education venture ever undertaken, formally came to an end at a ceremony in Oslo on Saturday 12 June – the final day of the IPY Oslo Science Conference.

12.06.2010

Morning plenary: Vladimir Kattsov

The director of Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory in St. Petersburg, Dr Vladimr Kattsov, will hold the morning lecture today. He is replacing Alexander Frolov.

11.06.2010

On the making of polar documentaries

Almost 100 documentary movies about polar science projects are being shown at the IPY-OSC. A selection of scientists and film makers shared their experience of the filming process, among them award-winning Mark Terry.

11.06.2010

Data on ice loss in the Arctic Ocean can be misleading

Multiyear ice in the Arctic is heavily decayed and shrinking rapidly. Estimates of when we may first experience an ice-free summer in the Arctic Ocean are constantly being revised. These were the key points of Dr David Barber's plenary talk this morning.

11.06.2010

A road movie on ice

The participants at IPY-OSC were some of the first in the world to see the Greenland feature film Inuk on Wednesday. The film is about 16-year-old Inuk and his difficult journey through his own country and in his own mind. “Powerful and authentic” was the response of a packed cinema.

10.06.2010

Medal for science and inspiring mentorship

The first Medal of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) has been awarded to Professor Patrick Webber.

10.06.2010

Polar expedition to the FRAM Museum

About 1500 researchers got together last night at the Bygdøy peninsula just outside of Oslo for an IPY-barbeque, and a visit to the FRAM Museum.

10.06.2010

Arctic and Antarctic partners sign agreement on polar education

Representatives of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), the International Antarctic Institute (IAI), and the University of the Arctic have come together at the IPY Oslo Science Conference 2010 to sign a memorandum of understanding.

09.06.2010

Rising sea levels on the agenda

Sea levels may rise by as much as one metre before the end of this century, according to new predictions. Melting glaciers may contribute more to the rise in sea levels than scientists have previously realised.

09.06.2010

From policy to action

IPY has brought together scientists and participants from all over the world to provide a greater understanding about issues concerning us all. Now we have to bring the knowledge into action, Canadian Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Chuck Strahl said this morning.

09.06.2010

Signing agreement for cooperation

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the University of the Arctic have signed an agreement for cooperation concerning issues in the Arctic, such as education, research and knowledge transfer.

09.06.2010

Prestigious prize for work in Antarctica

Professor Steven Chown has received the first Martha T. Muse Prize. In his Prize Lecture, he focused on changes in the biodiversity in Antarctica.

08.06.2010

Breaking the ice at Oslo City Hall

The Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang opened the doors to the City Hall and welcomed the IPY-OSC participants to an Icebreaker Reception. The event was an informal "getting together" before the official opening of the conference.

08.06.2010

Warm opening of a cool conference

The IPY Oslo Science Conference was officially opened this morning by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon. At the opening ceremony, 2400 polar scientists and friends of polar science were moved by a children's gospel choir and by haunting music played on instruments made of pure ice.

08.06.2010

A territory of dialogue

"The Arctic is a territory of dialogue," said the legendary Russian explorer and scientist Arthur Chilingarov at the opening ceremony of the IPY Oslo Science Conference, and called for further research efforts throughout a Polar Decade.

08.06.2010

Cruising the Oslo Fjord for polar history

One hundred years to the day after Amundsen and his crew left for the South Pole, a ship full of researchers and polar teachers were headed for his point of departure in Svartskog, Oslo.

08.06.2010

Launch of the Polar Information Commons (PIC) Tuesday afternoon

The data generated during the IPY 2007-2008 may be one of the most important long-term outcomes of this unique international initiative. Where will these data be in 50 years? Will they be available and accessible for future scientists and other users?

07.06.2010

Making marfu and melting ice

It was time for action for the 114 teachers from 20 countries who had found their way to Blindern - the campus of the University of Oslo - yesterday. They spent a sunny day doing various polar experiments, learning how to make traditional sami food and of course acquired new polar knowledge.

07.06.2010

Preparing for tomorrows polar science

There is a continued urgency to do polar science, not to do so will have a real global impact. That is why you are so important, Director of the International IPY Program Office, Dr. David Carlson said to the early career scientists and polar teachers on their first conference day.

06.06.2010

Teachers and young scientists join forces in Oslo

This Saturday 260 teachers, young scientists and their mentors gathered at the Research Council of Norway to break the ice before the international PolarTEACHERS conference and the APECS early career workshop - starting Sunday morning.

04.06.2010

All set for a great event

Oslo is ready to receive you. The last details is being sorted out over the weekend. The weather will not be too Nordic, as it looks, but a warm jacket could be wise for your walks back to the hotel in the evening. Here are some last minute information to all participants.

31.05.2010

Arctic sea ice cover heading towards another record low?

The September 2007 sea ice minimum was probably the lowest extent of sea ice aerial extent in the Arctic in 50 years, definitely since satellite observations began in 1979. Last week the sea ice cover fell below the recorded extent at the same time in 2007.

24.05.2010

Media relations guidelines

The IPY-OSC is an excellent opportunity to attract media attention to your research and your institution - and reach out to the wider public. But it doesn't happen by itself. You need to be prepared to approach the press.

18.05.2010

Unforgettable Sami Experience Excursion

Three unforgettable days of experience in Sapmi, Finnmark. You will visit the historical Sautso dam, enjoy a magnificent traditional sami meal and guiding in a lavvu, see the famous 6000 year old carvings and paintings on rock, traditional river fishing and history lecture at Sami University College.

12.05.2010

Patrick Webber awarded with the first IASC Medal

The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is proud to announce that the first IASC Medal will be awarded to Professor Emeritus Patrick John Webber. The medal will be presented by the IASC President, David Hik, at the IPY Oslo Science Conference on 9th June 2010.

05.05.2010

PolarEXCHANGE with Sue Nelson

The conference programme includes opportunities for a brief and entertaining overview of the day's science in a relaxed atmosphere. It's called PolarEXCHANGE and will be hosted by BBC science presenter Sue Nelson described by the Sunday Times as "probably the best of Radio 4's science presenters."

26.04.2010

Make sure your media contacts are invited

- Now is the time to invite your contacts in the public media to come along to Oslo, says Kristen Ulstein, communication adviser at the IPY-OSC secretariat. - Science institutions are urged to pick up their contact lists and ensure that this unique opportunity is considered by science journalists in all strands of the media.

16.04.2010

12th June Keynote: Alexander Frolov

"IPY and beyond: From a snapshot to a movie?" is the title of Dr. Alexander Frolov's plenary lecture in the morning of the 12th. Dr. Frolov was appointed Head of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology & Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet), in Moscow, Russia, a few weeks ago.

15.04.2010

11th June Keynote: David Barber

Leading one of the world's largest IPY projects, Dr. David Barber has had a team of 200 international researchers examining how global warming in the Arctic predicts the effects of climate change on our planet. In his keynote speech "On thin Ice: The Arctic and Climate Change", he will summarise what we know.

14.04.2010

2200 have registered so far

- The IPY Oslo Science Conference is already a success, says chair of the Steering Committee Dr. Olav Orheim. - More than 200 new participants registered last week.

13.04.2010

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco will attend the conference

Prince Albert II will give the closing speech of the morning sessions on the opening day of IPY Oslo Science Conference.

09.04.2010

Tinker Foundation travel grants for Latin American participants

A generous grant from the Tinker Foundation, administered by SCAR, has just become available specifically for Latin Americans to be able to attend IPY Oslo Science Conference on 8-12 June 2010.

09.04.2010

HRH Crown Prince Haakon will open the IPY-OSC 2010

The Royal Court today confirmed that HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will be present at the conference opening ceremony, the morning of the 8th of June. The Crown Prince has been actively and eagerly involved in the International Polar Year.

08.04.2010

10th June Keynote: Ole Henrik Magga

Ole Henrik Magga is a professor of Sami linguistics at The Saami University College in Guovdageaidnu (Kautokeino), Norway. He will speak on "Arctic peoples and Arctic research - success stories, contradictions and mutual expectations". Professor Magga was the first president of The Sami Parliament in Norway from 1989-97.

07.04.2010

9th June Keynote: Katherine Richardson

In the morning plenary session on Wednesday the 9th participants will hear Professor and Vice Dean Katherine Richardson, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Her theme is: "Jokers in the pack: Global repercussions of change in Polar Regions".

06.04.2010

Draft programme ready

A preliminary programme, with almost all oral presentations slotted in, is now ready. Each conference day is divided into Early Morning (EM), Late Morning (LM) and Early Afternoon (EA) parallel session time periods. The individual presentations are placed within these time periods on given days.

19.03.2010

Book before 6th May: Glaciers and fjords - excursion to the scenic highlights of Western Norway

There is room for a handful more on this post-conference excursion to Western Norway. If you book before the 6th May you can join a five days guided tour along the scenic route to glaciers and fjords! Combine the pleasures of tourism with insights into hydro power, glacial history and avalanche research!

17.03.2010

Time slots allocated for sessions

The overarching time schedule for the science programme is now ready and can be downloaded. Each conference day is organised into early and late morning, divided by a coffee break, lunch and then afternoon sessions. There will be parallel oral sessions in 16 rooms (included PolarCINEMA).

09.03.2010

Institutions invited to indicate interest for the PolarFESTIVAL

During the IPY-OSC, on the 9th and the 10th of June, there will be a public PolarFESTIVAL in the Oslo city centre. Parts of the square in front of the Oslo Town Hall are reserved for this event. At the same time there will be a spectacular show of large and small research vessels in the harbour.

09.03.2010

RV Oceania to Oslo for IPY-OSC

The spectacular Polish research vessel Oceania will dock in Oslo Harbour during the IPY Oslo Science Conference and will be open for visits from participants. Oceania, a tall sail ship, is owned by the Polish Academy of Sciences.

02.03.2010

Offer to registered participants: 30 percent discount on excursion to Svalbard

Participants registered for IPY-OSC is now offered a cruise with the coast liner MS Fram to Svalbard, from 30th May until 7th June, with a 30 percent discount. This is an exciting and exclusive opportunity to experience the High Arctic, the beauty of the nature, the fascinating natural and human history, and the current scientific activities and plattforms.

25.02.2010

More than 2500 abstracts accepted

Yesterday Elsevier, on behalf of the IPY-OSC secretariate, started to send out acceptance emails to the vast majority of the submitters. 1100 abstracts has been accepted for oral presentations (about 40%). In addition 1400 has been accepted for posters.

23.02.2010

PolarCINEMA committee very satisfied with the turnout

- We got altogether 81 correct submissions before the deadline 15th of February. That leaves us enough material for more than 40 hours on the screen, says PolarCINEMA coordinator Mare Pit. She and the committee are overwhelmed by the response.

23.02.2010

Invitations out for the PolarTEACHERS conference

Last week 120 teachers and educators from 20 countries were invited to attend the IPY-OSC 2010 conference. The PolarTEACHERS programme includes a two days workshop ahead of the science conference.

12.02.2010

Get your Letter of Invitation

All you need to register, apply for visa if you are not exempted, and arrange your hotel booking and travel, is now available on the website.

12.02.2010

400 stipends distributed to early career polar scientists

Yesterday 400 applicants got their Oslo stipends. Early career scientists are granted free lodging and reduced conference fee. One third of them had accepted within 24 hours.

25.01.2010

Registration now open

The registration system is now open. Early bird registration deadline is 8th of March. This coincides with the hotel booking guaranteed deadline.

21.01.2010

More than 2200 abstracts submitted on deadline

The IPY Oslo Science Conference will be the biggest polar science meeting ever. The steering committee members, meeting in Oslo today, already feel that it is a long way towards a great success. To cater for some groups the committee has decided to accept abstracts submitted up until the 25th January.

19.01.2010

Several opportunities to get travel support

USA provides travel support for researchers and educators through IARC. The grants are allocated by NSF. Early career scientists can apply for support from IASC. Other institutions consider to announce similar grants aimed at particular target groups.

15.01.2010

A new precedent for the involvement of early career scientists

Jenny Baeseman and Hugue Lantuit of APECS look forward to seeing a large group of early career polar scientists in Oslo in June: - The IPY Oslo Science Conference is on its way to set a new precedent for the involvement of early career scientists and the activities available for young researchers to further their careers.

08.01.2010

Unique opportunity for science teachers

PolarTEACHERS is a great offer to 120 lucky teachers from all over the world. Karl Thorstein Hetland and the rest of the committee encourages teachers and educators to take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet with colleagues and the most prominent polar scientists worldwide.

06.01.2010

More than one hundred conveners eager to review abstracts

Almost all conveners are in place and we are nearing the abstract deadline: January 20th. The Steering Committee decided to build the conference programme bottom-up and the conveners play a key role in making the IPY-OSC 2010 a success.

13.01.2010

The IPY ‘From Knowledge to Action’ Conference to be held in Montreal in 2012

The Government of Canada has announced that the International Polar Year (IPY) "From Knowledge to Action" Conference will be hosted in Montreal, Quebec, April 22-27, 2012.

04.01.2010

PolarCINEMA ready to receive polar films and TV-documentaries

The PolarCINEMA in Oslo 8-12 June 2010 will showcase and celebrate productions that are inspired by, and increase the awareness of the Polar Regions. We invite all filmmakers, reporters, scientist and educators to send in their polar productions and be part of this inspiring festival.

04.01.2010

Steven Chown to be awarded the Martha T Muse Prize at IPY-OSC

Professor Chown will be awarded the Prize and deliver the Muse Lecture at the IPY Oslo Science Conference in June 2010. He is based at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and is a widely cited authority on invasive species and the effect of climate change and human interactions on Antarctica.

2009 (6)

30.11.2009

Time to get a booth at PolarEXPO!

PolarEXPO invites all related industries and businesses, as well as all governmental and private organisations operating in the polar sciences, to meet in Oslo in June. We look forward to see state-of-the-art equipment, products and services.

05.11.2009

2nd Circular: Call for abstracts

- We will present the freshest and most urgent polar science side-by-side with the most creative and energetic polar education and outreach, says Dr David Carlson, Director of the IPY International Programme Office.

19.10.2009

IASC provides travel support to early career scientists

The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) will provide several travel grants for early career scientists to attend the IPY Oslo Science Conference.

08.10.2009

Programme of 39 sessions

An ambitious science programme will be offered to participants at the IPY Oslo Science Conference. - The Polar Regions are the origin of surprising findings that inspire unconventional thinking, says Dr. Mahlon Kennicutt. He is chairing one of the six conference themes `New frontiers, data practices and directions in polar research´.

12.08.2009

The programme framework is ready

The overarching science committee, chaired by Dr. David Hik, and the variuous subcommittees, has been working hard to get the list of sessions ready. More than a hundred proposals has been distilled into 6 themes and 34 sessions. The programme will continue to evolve and more information about the individual sessions will be added as we go.

28.01.2009

Committees ready to start working

Any day now the various science committees will take up their tasks and start to develop the scientific programme for the IPY Oslo Science Conference. More than 100 session proposals, submitted by the IPY community, are on the table.

2008 (6)

07.10.2008

All programme proposals welcome

The closing date for session proposals is three weeks ahead. It is time to get ideas into the form and submit them. "Any proposal for programme components and activities is more than welcome", says Olav Orheim, Chair of the IPY-OSC Steering Committee.

07.10.2008

Venue stood the test

From 6th to 14th of August our conference venue in Lillestrøm outside Oslo hosted the 33rd International Geology Congress. 6,000 scientists from 113 countries attended the IGC, which turned out to be a success.

09.07.2008

POLARCAT won the race for first proposal

The first session proposal for the 2010 Oslo Science Conference is already in. It is a great idea to make contacts before leaving the conference in St.Petersburg, and work out alternative ways of framing the themes as part of the evaluation of this event.

02.07.2008

Oslo's new signature

The choice of the newly inaugurated Oslo Opera House for the conference profile is not made by chance. Not yet as famous as its cousin in Sydney, and not as iconographic as the Holmenkollen ski jump or the City Hall, the Opera will be the future signature of the capital. Most importantly, though, the Opera has a strong resemblance with packed ice.

02.07.2008

1st Circular: Call for session proposals

The 1st IPY-OSC Circular is out. The Steering Committee has decided to organise the conference programme with a bottom-up approach. As a first step we therefore invite proposals for sessions. The term "session" is chosen for simplicity and should not be interpreted as fixed formats.

01.02.2008

IPY Open science in St.Petersburg

SCAR and IASC has invited the IPY family to a first global get-together in St.Petersburg, Russia, July 8th - 11th 2008. The reunion is already planned in Oslo two years from now, and another will be held in Canada in 2012.