Hosting the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists International Directorate (APECS-ID) in Tromsø, 2022-2027

The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) is an international and interdisciplinary organization for early career researchers (ECRs) interested in polar and alpine regions and the cryosphere. APECS has over 4500 members from across the world from different disciplines and industries. APECS aims to stimulate research collaborations and shape the future of polar research through recruiting, developing, and supporting the next generation of polar leaders. APECS achieves these aims by: -facilitating international and interdisciplinary networking -providing opportunities for professional career development -promoting education and outreach as an integral component of research. The APECS International Directorate (APECS-ID) coordinates all of APECS' activities and ensures APECS' long-term sustainability and successful strategy. In 2022, the APECS-ID moved to Tromsø, where the organization is hosted by UiT The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) in collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) and the Fram Centre (FRAM). In the next years, APECS will enhance the polar ECR environment in Norway through a series of events and the continued development of services provided to members. In the next two years, APECS will organize the following events: -networking events for polar ECRs in Tromsø, bringing people together across disciplines and institutes (planned in both 2023 and 2024) -a side event specifically for ECRs at Arctic Frontiers 2024 -a week-long Sharing Circle focused on exchange and collaboration between Arctic youth, Indigenous youth, and Arctic ECRs. In addition to these events, APECS will continue to connect ECRs and disseminate information through online meetings, social media, newsletters, and the APECS website. The APECS Executive Director will play an active role in major polar conferences to develop strategic partnerships and maintain APECS’ status as the preeminent organization for early career engagement in the polar sciences.

The polar regions are of increasing global importance. Climate change, the exploitation of Arctic and Antarctic resources and environmental threats are topics of great public concern. Such challenges must be met by investing in young individuals who are eager to increase our scientific knowledge about these regions. The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) is an international and interdisciplinary organization for all early career researchers with an interest in polar and alpine regions and the cryosphere. Hosting the APECS International Directorate in Tromsø will strengthen Norwegian polar research and enhance the polar ECR environment in Norway. This will be achieved through a series of events and the continued development of services provided by APECS to its members. In the next two years, APECS will organize networking events for polar ECRs in Tromsø, a side event for ECRs at Arctic Frontiers 2024, and a week-long Sharing Circle focused on exchange and collaboration between Arctic youth, Indigenous youth, and Arctic ECRs. APECS will continue to develop the services provided to its members inside and outside of Norway. The project will increase the synergies between APECS and Norwegian institutions and networks, particularly at the host institutions: UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the Norwegian Polar Institute and the Fram Centre. This hosting arrangement will facilitate new research directions, collaborations and science dissemination. APECS' shared activities with the partner institutions will further develop Northern Norway as a lively hub for polar research and will increase the visibility of polar research overall. Additionally, APECS contributes to the diversification of polar research through the engagement of researchers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds and co-development with Arctic youth and indigenous knowledge holders.