ASM2018
ASM attendance reached unprecedented numbers in 2018 with over 1250 registrants convening at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa from December 10 – 14, 2018 for the ASM2018! Researchers, Inuit, First Nations, students, and government representatives alike, chose the ASM2018 to share their knowledge and expertise on an impressive array of Arctic related issues. Northern participation is a valued aspect of the ASM and in 2018, thanks to two Northern Travel Fund initiatives, over 50 residents from Nunangat and the Territories were able to attend the conference.
Student Day launched the conference attracting 400 attendees from all sectors and disciplines including over 250 early career-researchers. The 2018 edition of Student Day, a collaborative effort by the ASA, APECS and PYRN, featured presentations and workshops focused on the theme of Building the Capacity, Resilience, and Awareness of Early-Career Arctic Researchers. This 1.5-day event culminated with a dedicated Student Day Awards Ceremony where the ASA-APECS Mentor Award was presented to Dr. Gita Ljubicic for her dedication to Inuit self-determination and the mentorship opportunities within her projects; and the popular Elevator Pitch awards were presented to Katie Rosa, Laurent Erland and Elizabeth Worden.
The 400 oral presentations and the 260 posters presented throughout the week showcased the excellent research proudly supported by ArcticNet and our communities’ dedication to their work and the Arctic. In addition to a compelling Scientific Program, the conference experience was enhanced with numerous networking opportunities including 40 Side Meetings, two dedicated poster sessions, and the coffee and lunch breaks allowing ample occasions for delegates to interact as well as meet with the 32 exhibitors on site. Inuit Culture Night and Women in Northern Science were also highly anticipated and attended side events encouraging networking in a congenial and casual setting.
For the 3rd year running, the prestigious Weston Family Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Northern Research was presented at the ASM; this year, the $100,000 prize was awarded to Dr. Derek Muir, Research Scientist with Environment & Climate Change Canada for his valuable contributions to understanding chemical contaminants in the Arctic.
A noteworthy highlight at the Gala Awards Banquet was the privilege of having Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada take the stage to deliver a captivating talk and present the 2018 Polar Knowledge Northern Science Award which was accepted by Ellen Avard on behalf of the Nunavik Research Centre, an inspiring model of what can be achieved through community-based science.
In addition to the prizes mentioned above, the Gala Awards Banquet proudly recognized research excellence and its presentation to 13 students from 11 universities by means of the Student Poster Competition. As well, the Inuit Partnership of Excellence Award was presented to Katherine Wilson and the ITK Inuit Recognition Award went to Peter May and Michele Wood. Finally, the six (6) ArcticNet Photo Contest winners were announced; we wish to express our appreciation for the beauty the winners’ photos brought to the venue where they were on display and to all entrants whose photos have enriched the network’s photo gallery.
The ArcticNet Board of Directors, Research Management Committee and Secretariat would like to thank all the participants, sponsors, partners and exhibitors for their contributions that helped make the ASM2018 a resounding success.
To access the official conference website: http://www.arcticnetmeetings.ca/asm2018/pages/program.php
Sponsors & Exhibitors
ASM2018 Sponsors
- Fednav
- Sentinelle Nord
- Université Laval
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
- PYRN – Permafrost Researchers Young Network
- Nunavut Fisheries Association
ASM2018 Partners
ASM2018 Exhibitors
- Actua
- Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies
- Alpha Mach
- Amundsen Science
- Arctic Institute of North America
- Aurora Research Institute
- Canadian Cryospheric Information Network/PDC
- Canadian Science Publishing
- Canadian Space Agency
- Christine Koch Studio
- Eeyou Marine Region
- EVOQ Architecture
- Fisheries Joint Management Committee
- Hoskin Scientific
- Hotii ts’eeda
- IEEE Canada
- Institut nordique du Québec
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
- Makivik Corporation
- Northern Contaminants Program
- Nunavik Geomatics
- Ocean Networks Canada
- Oceans Sonics Ltd.
- Oceans Research in Canada Alliance
- Polar Continental Shelf Program
- Polar Knowledge Canada
- RBR Ltd
- ROMOR
- Sentinelle Nord
- Students on Ice Foundation
- The Arctic Eider Society
Graduate Student Poster Award Recipients
Terrestrial Sciences
Marine Sciences
Health and Social Sciences
First Place Alexandra, Sawatzky, University of Guelph | ||
Second Place Lauren Watts, Carleton University | ||
Third Place Émilie Desjardins, Université du Québec à Rimouski |
Inuit Partnership of Excellence Award
Katherine Wilson, Memorial University of Newfoundland |
Photo Contest
First place: 500$
Robert Izett
Time to Reflect.
Second place: 350$
Sébastien Descamps
Close up of a walrus in Svalbard.
Third place: 250$
Kyle Ritchie
This photo was taken on a very unpleasant field day in Wapusk National Park. The red fox popped out of it’s den and gave us some scathing looks because it was so windy. Around this time our data sheets were blowing across the tundra.
Honourable mention: 150$
Emilie Bouchard
While taking a walk on a blizzardy day on the edge of town, we came across this pack of dogs, feeling completely at ease despite the harsh weather.
Honourable mention: 150$
Sandra Angers-Blondin
Life around the ice: on Qikiqtaruk-Herschel Island, tent shelters made of driftwood on a spit of sand provide restful nights full of the sounds of the Arctic. / Sur Qikiqtaruk-Herschel Island, des abris pour tentes faits de bois flotté promettent au visiteur des nuits confortables, entourés des bruits de la toundra.
Honourable mention: 150$
Kasey Ryan
Bowhead whale showing tail slapping behavior.
Student Elevator Pitch Contest
For the second year running, Student Day participants had the opportunity to promote their science by means of an Elevator Pitch. Contestants had one minute and one slide to pitch their research project and pique the public’s curiosity. Click here to view the elevator pitch videos.
A panel of judges awarded the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes to the top elevator pitches and the Conference participants then voted for the People’s Choice Award. Congratulations to all the winners!
1st place ($500)
Katie Rosa
Trent University
The Values of Inuit Hunters Relating to Moose Hunting and Management in Nunatsiavut
2nd place ($300)
Lauren Erland
University of Guelph
Visualization of melatonin and serotonin in living plant tissues
3rd place ($150)
Elizabeth Worden
Freshwater Institute, University of Manitoba
“Everything is changing so much!”
People’s Choice Award ($500)
Elizabeth Worden
Freshwater Institute, University of Manitoba
“Everything is changing so much!”