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COVID-19 disruption to polar fieldwork and responses by EPB Members

On 1st July 2020, the EPB held a discussion meeting on COVID-19 disruption to polar fieldwork and responses by Members, chaired by Prof. Dame Jane Francis (NERC).

The meeting enabled Members to share information on:

  • Experiences of disruption and responses from the previous Antarctic season and current Arctic season, including lessons learnt
  • Information on planning for upcoming seasons for both Antarctic and Arctic
  • The scope of activities in the coming season (scaleddown or minimal seasons)

A report from this meeting is available here. A follow-up meeting was held for EPB Members on 7th August 2020, a report from that meeting is available here.

Background information and documents:

  • Strategic foresight for the COVID-19 crisis and beyond: Using futures thinking to design better public policies (OECD): https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=134_134395-2n53o8sh0y&title=Strategic-foresight-for-the-COVID-19-crisis-and-beyond-Using-futures-thinking-to-design-better-public-policies
  • On August 5, 2pm ET / 10am AKT, (20:00 CEST) join the National Science Foundation for a program manager chat https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/events/18372 about COVID-19 impacts to NSF operations. The Arctic Sciences (ARC) Sections in the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) will be offering a virtual office hour to share information with the polar research community  regarding NSF's current operations. These office hours will also allow the community to ask questions, share concerns, and/or offer suggestions on how ARC can do more to address the impact of COVID-19 on researchers. All are welcome to attend this webinar. Register here: https://iarpc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlfuyprTwoE9fyB5hb9rIuWdXkhjtTRr-_
  • Impact of COVID-19 on Antarctic Research – joint SCAR/COMNAP Panel Discussion (SCAR Online conference session)
    • 22:00-23:00 CEST Wednesday 5th August - The COVID-19 pandemic has given the Antarctic community pause to consider how to manage risks and impacts in a constantly changing situation. This is crucial if Antarctica is to continue to provide vital answers to questions about the fate of our planet. As national Antarctic programs begin to make decisions and implement plans for the upcoming Antarctic season, these plans, by necessity, include restrictions and provisions to reduce risk to expeditioners. With many international borders closed, disrupting travel, this session will explore what the impacts of COVID-19 might be for carrying out research in and around Antarctica over the coming years. It will also explore how we can address challenges such as maintaining long term data series and supporting researchers at an early stage in their careers, and look at the role of international cooperation in helping face these challenges and opening up opportunities for researchers. (https://www.scar2020.org/program)