Early Career Community of Practice

Scope of Activities

To provide a forum and collaboration space where those who actively identify as “early career” can connect with the broader research community and share opportunities and announcements within the community. The US National Committee of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (USAPECS), is an example of an engaged network of early career researchers and Arctic stakeholders that are connected primarily through announcements via email listservs, social media and meetups/panels at conferences. However, it can sometimes be a challenge to know who this community is, find ways to connect, and reach new members. Therefore, an interactive tool to connect is needed. IARPC provides a platform for maintaining a profile that allows others to find you, collaborate on topics of interest, and share information. This team would also allow the opportunity to expand the USAPECS network beyond traditional earth sciences to social scientists and Indigenous community members, and to facilitate a path for the USAPECS community and early career scientists to participate in the work of IARPC and the broader research community.

Goals

• Enhance the work of USAPECS and early career individuals engaged in Arctic issues by connecting them to the broader Arctic research community through the tools available within IARPC Collaborations
• Provide a pipeline for early career scientists to get involved with IARPC 
• Share conferences and events, funding opportunities, training and workshops with the community
• Allow the established Arctic community a means to engage with early career professionals

Team Leaders

Angela Bliss
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Katy Smith
QED

Samantha Halstead Santez
NASA Goddard Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory

Michael Gallagher
CIRES/NOAA/NSIDC (Website)

Mindy Jewell Price
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University (Website)

Monika Sikand
Stevens Institute of Technology (Website)

Deliverables from the Arctic Research Plan

MOMP 3 Support coordination and engagement with Federal, State, international, and non-Federal partners who are conducting monitoring, observing, modeling, and prediction in the Arctic.

• MOMP 3.4 Support participation of U.S. researchers in international Arctic observing and observational planning efforts to evaluate and improve the Arctic Observing Network. Progress will be tracked in relevant scientific papers, presentations, international arrangements, and/or meeting sessions.

MOMP 4 Support best practices in field observations and modeling.

• MOMP 4.1 Build on existing efforts within federal agencies to share resources and implement best practices for improving field safety culture and enforcing safe working environments in the field, including both physical safety while working in harsh and remote Arctic environments and emotional safety from harassment and hostile working conditions.
• MOMP 4.4 Promote the integration of early career students, researchers, and professionals working in Arctic-related fields in MOMP activities, meetings, webinars, and workshops to facilitate early career engagement in IARPC activities.

PILR 1 Fulfill Federal requirement to consult with Federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations.

• PILR 1.2 Evaluate the Principles for Conducting Research in the Arctic 2018, and update as needed based on the evaluation.

PILR 3 Develop guidance for agencies to consistently apply participatory research and Indigenous leadership in research.

• PILR 3.1 Identify key elements of Indigenous leadership in research with Tribes, Indigenous organizations, and federal agencies. Integrate these elements into the Principles for Conducting Research in the Arctic and develop guidance for federal agencies.
• PILR 3.2 Share information among agencies about how to streamline contracting, agreements, and compensation processes to support co-stewardship and co-production of knowledge.
• PILR 3.3 Convene, facilitate, and participate in discussions to identify mechanisms to foster pathways for Indigenous leadership in research.
• PILR 3.4 To aid in agencies’ ethical engagement and meaningful work with Tribal governments and Indigenous communities and organizations, compile a list of resources and guidance, rules, protocols, and approaches that Tribal governments and Indigenous communities and organizations have put forward. Distribute the list to agencies and post publicly via the IARPC Collaborations website. Share the list with the Tribal governments and Indigenous communities and organizations to provide additional insights, pending their interest, to the federal workforce on implementing the guidance, rules, protocols, and approaches they have put forward.

RISK 1 Summarize currently available data and information requirements associated with hazard and risk mitigation, adaptation, and response efforts. Synthesize community-led activities and information to identify potential needs for future efforts.

• RISK 1.3 Develop a network that brings together scientists, the emergency management community, and key agency contacts to share knowledge, identify new and emerging challenges, and inform decision-making and operations through research.

TIA 1 Survey federally funded research technology.

• TIA 1.1 Strategically engage externally, across IARPC, and within the Technology Innovation and Application Collaboration Team.
• TIA 1.2 Use the Technology Innovation and Application Collaboration Team to support and coordinate technology-related conversations and activities throughout IARPC Collaborations.

Accomplishments