AC2024 Conference

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From December 9-12, 2024, ArcticNet brought the global Arctic research community together for ArcticNet’s 5th International Arctic Change Conference (AC2024), a special 20th edition of our Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), at the Rogers Centre Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario. The event was a record-breaking success as ArcticNet hosted over 1700 members of the Canadian and international Arctic research community for a week of discussion, networking and knowledge sharing. With approximately 570 Northern participants (33%), this year was the most representative conference to date. Northern participation is critical to ArcticNet annual meetings and ensures Northerners are an integral part of the conversation around current results emerging from Arctic research and the future of research in Canada. 

AC2024 had a special focus on international collaboration to address the challenges and opportunities brought forth by climate and socio-economic change in not only the Canadian Arctic, but the global Arctic, ahead of the upcoming International Polar Year in 2032. Nine countries were represented at the conference, including six Arctic states. This international focus allowed attendees to engage with international stakeholders and researchers.  

AC2024 convened the northern research community for more than 300 oral presentations and 300 poster presentations, and over 80 topical sessions, nice of which were livestreamed and five of which were live interpreted in Inuktitut. The scientific programming demonstrated a commitment to research excellence, where researchers, throughout presentations, panel discussions and posters, shared their expertise on a range of environmental, health, and socio-economic Arctic issues. 

ArcticNet was honoured to open the conference with remarks from Lisa Koperqualuk, President of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, David Hik, Chief Scientist and Vice-President, Polar Knowledge Canada, The Honourable P.J. Akeeagok, Premier of Nunavut, Robert Sinclair, Senior Arctic Official, Global Affairs Canada, Henry Burgess, Head, NERC Arctic Office, The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Nivi Rosing, Board Member of Arctic Youth Network, and Bronwyn Hancock, Vice-Provost, Academic & Research, Yukon University. ArcticNet was honoured to have Inuit Tapiriit Kantami President Natan Obed provide keynote remarks to close off the conference at the awards gala. 

The ArcticNet Student Association (ASA) kicked off AC2024 by hosting students and early career researchers during the Early Career Northern Researchers (ECNR) Annual Meeting on the first day of the conference. The 2024 edition of the ECNR Meeting featured over 12 workshops and training sessions for ECNRs, a community pitch contest, networking events, and a special tour of the Arctic Gallery at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Thank you to Braiding Knowledges Canada and the Canadian Museum of Nature for supporting ECNR day. 

Throughout AC2024, three plenaries discussed a variety of topics:  

Centering Arctic Peoples and Plants: Indigenous Rights and Molecular Treasures, featuring: 

• Dalee Sambo Dorough, University of Alaska, presenting Indigenizing Arctic Research: Imperatives for Genuine Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge and; 

• Normand Voyer, Université Laval, presenting At the crossroads of knowledge: a molecular adventure in Nunavik and Nunavut 

A Cooperative Arctic panel, featuring: 

• Jackie Dawson, University of Ottawa, as moderator; 

• Lisa Koperqualuk, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada; 

• Courtney Price, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna; 

• Susan Kutz, University of Calgary; 

• Hughes Lantuit, Afred Wegener Institute, and; 

• David Hik, Polar Knowledge Canada. 

Cryosphere Connections: Dynamics of Change in Our Frozen World, featuring: 

• Luke Copland, University of Ottawa, presenting Glacier changes across the Canadian Arctic and beyond in a warming climate and; 

• Pascale Roy-Léveillée, Université Laval, presenting Local expressions of global change: community-level impacts of permafrost thaw in the Canadian North. 

All three plenaries were livestreamed and live interpreted to Inuktitut. Recordings are available here. 

This year’s conference was especially memorable as it marked ArcticNet’s 20th anniversary as a research network. On December 11th, ArcticNet welcomed its dedicated community to celebrate the anniversary, with remarks from Dr. Christine Barnard, ArcticNet Executive Director, Dr. Philippe Archambault, ArcticNet Scientific Director, Dr. Martin Fortier, Deputy Vice Rector, Research and Innovation (International and Knowledge Mobilization) former Executive Director for 15 years and founder of ArcticNet, Université Laval, Mr. Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Dr. Tristan Pearce, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Northern British Columbia, Camille Lavoie, PhD student, Université Laval, and Michael Milton, Community Coordinator of Pond Inlet, Ikaarvik. The evening was an invitation to reflect on the past 20 years of ArcticNet, and the next 20 years to come. ArcticNet premiered a sneak peek of our larger legacy project, entitled Making An Impact, available to watch here. Thank you to our event sponsors, Université Laval, ArcticNet’s host institution of 20 years, and Sentinelle Nord. 

Aligned with its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, ArcticNet worked with InclusiveKind through the LOOP platform to offer all conference attendees a designated inclusive space, with the opportunity to discuss barriers in Arctic research, and a safe and anonymous way to report mistreatment during the conference.  

AC2024 ended with the awards gala with performances, sponsored by Arctic Inspiration Prize, from the talented traditional dancer Angus Cockney, throat-singing duo Janice Oolayou and Evelyn Kiguat, and drum dancing and traditional Inuit games from Timotee Erkloo, and the presentation of multiple awards: 

• Polar Knowledge Canada presented the 2024 Northern Science Award to the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee. 

• The ASA and APECS Canada presented the Mentor Award to Dr. Warwick Vincent for his devotion to the success of his students. 

• Carla Pamak, Nunatsiavut Government, presented the Inuit Recognition Award on behalf of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to Ceporah Mearns for her contributions towards Arctic research in Canada and internationally. 

ArcticNet awarded nine student poster awards to: Social and Health Sciences, sponsored by Université Laval – Sentinelle Nord, 1) Alexandrine Roy, 2) Savanah Muller, and 3) Connor Rettinger; Terrestrial Sciences, sponsored by Arctic Science Journal (Canadian Science Publishing), 1) Émilie Desjardins, 2) Hayley Webster, and 3) Micah Eckert, and; Marine Sciences, sponsored by Amundsen Science, 1) Julia Baak, 2) Alexandra Langwieder, and 3) Pia Petzold. Thank you to all the poster judges. 

ArcticNet also awarded six photo contest awards to: Jean Holloway (Landscape), Yashovardhan Sodhani (People and Communities), Anthony Zerafa (Plants), Mariana Descalzo (Wildlife), Victoria Tweedie Pitre (Research Activities) and Wai Yin Cheung (Artistic Merit and Originality). Thank you to all the judges. 

Lastly, ArcticNet premiered a legacy project, a documentary-style video entitled Leaving A Legacy, to reflect on the last 20 years and look forward to the next 20 years of ArcticNet, which comprised of dozens of interviews from ArcticNet researchers, partners, collaborators, and more, highlighting their relationship with the network, from 2004 to now. Leaving A Legacy is available to watch here. 

The Northern Travel Fund allowed for over 65 Inuit, First Nations, Métis, and other Northerners to attend the AC2024. Thank you to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Amundsen Science, Société du Plan Nord, and PermafrostNet for contributing to the fund together with ArcticNet. 

Thank you to all AC2024 sponsors who made this year’s event possible: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, PermafrostNet, Université Laval – Sentinelle Nord, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Weston Family Foundation, Amundsen Science, Davie, Braiding Knowledges Canada, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Nordic Energy Research, Defense and Research Development Canada, Arctic Science Journal (Canadian Science Publishing) and Arctic Inspiration Prize. Thank you to all the participants, presenters, partners, and exhibitors for their contributions that helped make the AC2024 such a success. 

Finally, a last big thank you to everyone who attended AC2024! The magic in the air throughout the conference was palpable, and we are grateful for all the presentations, workshops, and conversations held at the conference. It was an honor to host our biggest conference yet, with over 1700 attendees. Arctic Change 2024 was inarguably a success, beyond just the numbers. 

We hope to see you next year for ASM2025, from December 15-18th, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta!