About Us


Who We Are

ArcticNet inc. is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2003. The central objective of ArcticNet is to contribute to the development and dissemination of the knowledge needed to formulate adaptation strategies and national policies to help Canadians face the impacts and opportunities of climate change in the Arctic. To achieve this goal, ArcticNet supports northern research, capacity building, adaptation, and policy development for the Canadian Arctic. ArcticNet’s unique approach bridges scientific expertise with Indigenous knowledge – putting all data on an equal footing.

The organization is funded mainly by the Government of Canada–initially through a program called the Network of Centres of Excellence (2003-2025), and currently by the program’s successor, the Strategic Science Fund (as of 2024). Over the span of two decades, ArcticNet has funded over 300 projects and offered training and support to over 4000 researchers and HQP. ArcticNet has a large network of partnerships with 60 Indigenous organizations, 12 Canadian (federal and provincial/territorial) government agencies, 48 communities, over 40 post-secondary institutions, and research teams from over 25 collaborating countries. ArcticNet’s secretariat is based at Université Laval in Quebec City and the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada. 

Each year, ArcticNet hosts its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) that gathers over a thousand researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, Northerners, as well as representatives from government and from non-governmental organizations. In addition, ArcticNet creates training and knowledge mobilization opportunities throughout the year, for example by hosting webinars, a podcast (Arctic Minded), a blog (Arctic Insights), and various contests for early career researchers.

Through these efforts, ArcticNet works toward its vision to inspire discovery and empower knowledge for a flourishing Arctic.

The Impacts of Climate Change

 
 

In the Arctic regions, where rapid transformation is shaped by climate, environmental and socio-economic change, impacts are felt first and most severely in Arctic communities and territories.

The reduction of coastal sea-ice hinders Inuit traditional hunting, reduces the habitat of unique Arctic fauna, increases exposure of coastal communities to storms. Changes could soon open the way to intercontinental shipping, raising new challenges to Canadian sovereignty and security. In the terrestrial coastal environment, warmer temperatures and permafrost thaw disrupt transportation, buildings and other infrastructure.

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Our Vision

A future where improved observations, modelling, capacity-building and knowledge exchange enable researchers, Inuit, Northerners and decision-makers to co-develop adaptation strategies minimizing negative impacts and maximizing positive outcomes resulting from the transformation of the Canadian Arctic.

Our Mission

Build synergy among research Centres of Excellence in the human health, natural and social Arctic sciences.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Consolidate national and international collaborations in the study of the Canadian Arctic.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Involve Inuit, Northerners, government and the private sector in steering the Network and scientific processes through a bilateral exchange of knowledge, training and technology.

 
 
 

Contribute to training the next generation of experts, from the North and South, to study, model and ensure the conservation of the changing Canadian Arctic.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Increase and update the observational basis required to address the ecosystem-level questions raised by climate change and modernization in the Arctic.

 
 
 
 

Translate our growing understanding of the Arctic into regional impact assessments, national policies and adaptation strategies.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Provide academic researchers and their national and international collaborators with access to the Canadian Arctic.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Leaving A Legacy: 20 Years of ArcticNet

 

In December 2023, the Government of Canada announced that ArcticNet will be funded for the next five years in partnership with the Strategic Science Fund (SSF). To symbolize this new era and to recognize the last 20 years of achievements, ArcticNet has spent the last few years collecting testimonies from those with a vested interest in ArcticNet’s success, ranging from 2003-2024, coming together to create its legacy project, entitled Leaving A Legacy.

The Directors

Christine Barnard

Executive Director

Philippe Archambault

Scientific Director

Our Team

Administration

ArcticNet staff collaborate on a daily basis on behalf of the organization. The administrative center is based at the Université Laval campus in Quebec City, Quebec, and the University of Ottawa in Ontario.

Governance

ArcticNet is a non-profit organization operated by a set of committees and management teams with two primary focuses: the scientific program and the administrative center.

Partners

Patners and Member Institutions

ArcticNet works with Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies and the private sector to advance our collective understanding of the Arctic region.

Inuit Advisors

Inuit advisors implicate and support the Inuit community to undertake research activities within their regions regarding contaminants, climate change and environmental health.

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Shared Experiences and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy

Diverse and inclusive teams produce more creative and innovative science. ArcticNet is committed to sharing the responsibility to promote positive change and cultural inclusion within the Network.

Key Documents

Annual Reports

Since 2004, ArcticNet researchers have been hard at work studying the impacts of climate change and modernization. Network highlights are captured in our Annual Reports.

Brand Assets

The ArcticNet logo is available in blue, black and white as needed. Logos are available here for download for use in reports, presentations, posters etc.

Polar Photography

Take a tour of the North with our mesmerizing gallery of photographs that capture the essence of the Arctic and Antarctic.

 
 
 
 

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