The International Antarctic Institute (IAI) is a global consortium of universities and agencies that provide university-level education and conduct research in Antarctica.
The IAI offers international opportunities in Antarctic undergraduate and postgraduate multi-disciplinary education by sharing teaching resources between international partner universities. We are also developing new and innovative Antarctic courses and pathways between degrees to encourage student and staff mobility.
Exploration and Study of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments
Travel grants for postgraduate students and early career researchers
A series of meetings on the Exploration and Study of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments (SAE) will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, USA from 14-18 March, 2010. This will be followed by the AGU Chapman Conference from 15-17 March. The Conference will set the stage for the main phase of SAE exploration over the next decade or more.
One goal of the Conference is to engage the next generation of scientists and increase diversity (gender, geographic, underrepresented groups, and disciplinary). SCAR SALE is offering travel grants to polar early career scientists to attend the Conference and possibly as observers to the SCAR SALE meeting.
Applicants for travel grants must submit a abstract for an oral or poster presentation, and must provide a brief letter of endorsement from a senior mentor as well as a short description about why the conference is important for their career development. Deadline for abstract submission is 2 December 2009. Non-US citizens who are interested in applying for a travel grant should contact Jenny Baeseman before 1 December for full information.
Photo by M. Arevalo
IPY Oslo Science Conference
Registration and abstract submission now open
The Oslo Science Conference will be held from 8-12 June 2010 in Oslo, Norway. This is the first major meeting of scientists to share results from recent IPY research. This international and interdisciplinary conference will highlight the global impact of the changes that have been observed in the polar regions, particularly in the urgent areas of:
- Linkages between polar regions and global systems
- Past, present and future changes in polar regions
- Polar ecosystems and biodiversity
- Human dimensions of change: Health, society and resources
- New frontiers, data practices and directions in polar research
- Polar science education, outreach and communication
Special programs for early career researchers and educators
Reduced registration fees, accomodation, awards and more are available to young researchers and educators.
Special conference activities and support for early career scientists include an Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) professional development workshop, a networking reception with senior mentors, awards for outstanding young researcher presentations, and financial assistance. To be eligible for the financial assistance, applicants must submit an abstract to present their work.
For more information on the early career portion of the conference, visit the APECS website.
A professional development workshop for educators will also be held from 6-11 June in conjunction with the conference. Teachers and other educators who either teach polar science or would like to introduce polar science into their classrooms are encouraged to apply.
For more information, see the conference website. The deadline for abstract submissions and financial assistance applications is 20 January 2010.
News
- 26th June 2009Short courses offered at the University of Tasmania
- The University of Tasmania is offering two advanced 2-week short courses in August and September 2009. The courses are part of the Masters of Antarctic Science in Polar Marine Biology, but they are also open to other IAI students from partner universities. 17 August Advanced Phytoplankton Methods: Deals with innovations in phytoplankton and productivity research including fluorometry (PAM and FRRF), SEM, HPLC, Flow cytometry and hyperspectral radiometry. 29 September Integrated Marine Management and Conservation of Antarctica: This unit will examine scientific advice being provided to managers on Antarctic conservation issues. It is focused on natural resource management, environmental protection, integrated processes, and research and policy development. If you are interested in enrolling in either of these units please contact Margaret Hazelwood.
- 14th May 2009Australia-Chile student research exchange
- Two University of Tasmania Masters students, Alex Piekutowski and Robert Johnson, will travel to Punta Arenas in Chile on 16 May 2009 and two students from Universidad de Magallanes, Chile, will come to University of Tasmania later in the year. The exchange is part of an IAI education initiative that includes a field program enabling students to carry out research and study on the Antarctic continent, sub-Antarctic islands or as part of Southern Ocean oceanographic research expeditions. Alex Piekutowski’s research will include an assessment of settlement and colonisation of benthic organisms in the harbour of Punta Arenas, while Robert Johnson will undertake spatial and geographical research associated with Alex ’s research. The exchange program is funded by the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- 12th February 2009New Masters unit from Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer
- A one semester unit on the Ecology and Biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean is now offered by the Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer at the Université de Bretagne Occidentale in France. Designed for 1st year Master's students in Marine Biology and Marine Chemistry, the course will give students a comprehensive understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, with a focus on the ecology and biogeochemistry of regions around the subantarctic islands. The course runs from March to May 2009. Contact Dr Eva Bucciarelli for more information.
all news items..