Arctic Change 2008

ArcticNet, together with national and international partners, welcomed researchers, students, managers and stakeholders to participate in the largest trans-sectoral international Arctic research conference ever held in Canada. From 9-12 December 2008, the Quebec City Convention Centre provided the forum for over 900 participants from 16 countries to address the global challenges and opportunities of climate change in the circum-Arctic.

Over 250 oral and 300 poster presentations from all fields of Arctic research were presented, reflecting the multidisciplinary research being conducted in the face of rapid environmental, health and socio-economic changes as a result of climate change and globalization in the circumpolar Arctic. Through plenary and concurrent sessions, Arctic Change highlighted the latest research results from leading Arctic experts, as well as management and policy options from managers and government officials at the frontlines of change. Electronic copies of the Arctic Change 2008 proceedings and oral presentations are available for download.

Recognizing the importance of Inuit knowledge and collaborative research, Arctic Change 2008 welcomed a large Inuit delegation from Canada, Alaska and Greenland. Through partnership with Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada) and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit were active participants in leading concurrent sessions and participating in plenary discussions. In complement, conference organizers were pleased to welcome a large delegation of researchers, students and managers from Arctic nations such as Finland, Norway, Sweden, United States and Denmark. The level of participation from circumpolar Arctic countries reflects the need for collaborative, multinational research to address issues of climate change and globalization that are not constrained by geographic boundaries.

Highlighting the achievements of the next generation of Arctic researchers and managers was the Arctic Change 2008 International Student Day. Directly preceding the main conference, Student Day attracted a record 450 student participants from high-school through to post-doctoral fellow — evidence that Arctic research will continue on its forward momentum for years to come. The students welcomed Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami as their keynote speaker. Student presentations and breakout session on topics of great relevance to the training of highly qualified students followed. Thirteen students were recipients of the 2008 Graduate Student Poster Award; awards which acknowledge excellence in research and scientific presentation.

Graduate Student Poster Award Recipients

Human Health Sciences

• First Place: Erica Pufall, University of Guelph
• Second Place: Kaitlin Breton-Honeyman, Trent University
• Third Place: Catherine Huet, McGill University

Natural Sciences – Marine

• First Place: Marianne Berrouard, Université Laval
• Second Place: Alexandre Forest, Université Laval
• Third Place: Sophie Charvet, Université Laval

Natural Sciences – Terrestrial

• First Place: Ryan Jameson, Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Second Place: Cassandra Cameron, Université du Québec à Rimouski
• Third Place: Vincent L’Hérault, Université du Québec à Rimouski

Social Sciences

• First Place: Laura Flemming, University of Guelph
• Second Place: Pamela Wong, Queen’s University
• Third Place: Jennie Knopp, Trent University

ITK/ICC Inuit Partnerships of Excellence Student Poster Award

• Sonia Ostertag, University of Northern British Columbia

Partners, Sponsors and Exhibitors

ArcticNet and the Arctic Change 2008 International Organizing Committee would like to thank all the participants, partners, sponsors and exhibitors for their contribution in making Arctic Change 2008 such a resounding success. ArcticNet would like to acknowledge support from the Government of Canada through the Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) programs, specifically the NCE’s International Partnership Initiatives program which was instrumental to the success of Arctic Change 2008.