carbonSCOUT

The carbonSCOUT training network will mentor a new generation of interdisciplinary young scientists to address future challenges in the feedback processes between Arctic ecosystems and climate change (CC). Our consortium of experts from oceanic, aquatic, terrestrial, at-mospheric and social sciences is committed to train this cohort of early-stage researchers (ESRs) in cross-component Arctic research from both academic and practical perspectives. The sustainability of the Arctic permafrost (PF) carbon (C) pool under future climate change is a topic of high global relevance, and its complex interactions between ecosystem components require a holistic research approach building on in-novative technological tools. Addressing this topic, our project is closely aligned with the societal challenge on "Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Material" identified in Horizon2020. Each ESR will specialise on an ecosystem or social component, whilst gaining experience into how these fit within the larger picture of Arctic CC research through close networking with fellow projects and associated secondments. A dedicated focus on science-to-policy-to-practice translation will provide ESRs with valuable skills to communicate and educate to a wide audience on complex social and biogeophysi-cal/biogeochemical phenomena such as CC, as well as maximise their research impact. This will uniquely position carbonSCOUT graduates with the expertise to fill the current gap of re-searchers who can effectively address the fate of Arctic ecosystems and provide much needed employment routes into non-academic sectors for excellent scientists with broad understand-ing of future global challenges. This innovative interdisciplinary network will better quantify the mobilisation of carbon within and between different Arctic key ecosystem components, and develop improved communication strategies to translate this knowledge to policy and practice.