The Future of European Polar Research

'The Future of European Polar Research – Towards an enhanced coordination framework of programmes and infrastructures in the European Research Area'

The European Science Foundation (ESF) European Polar Board and the European Polar Consortium will hold a European Polar Summit on 7th November in Rome to mark the launch of two major strategic documents that present updated overview of research infrastructures efforts in the Arctic and Antarctic, and assessment of the current management polar programmes in 19 European countries.

The report The Landscape of European Polar Research; Volume 1: An assessment if current strategic management, polar programme definition and processes details the current status of strategic processes, management practices, investment, evaluation and granting procedures of the 27 government agencies from 19 European countries that are currently partners in the European Polar Consortium.

This second publication The Landscape of European Polar Research; Volume II: European polar capacity – an overview of research infrastructures in the Arctic and Antarctic will provide a strategic overview and portfolio of European polar research infrastructures in the Arctic and Antarctic controlled and owned by European countries including the Russian Federation and Greenland Home Rule.

The event will also launch a major Initiative INFRAPOLAR which is intended to network European Polar Research stations in the Arctic and Antarctic for the provision of research services in the area of climate and Environmental sciences

The Polar Summit in Rome will kick off on 7th November with a press conference at noon to launch the two publications. The summit will be opened at 10.00am by the Italian Minister of Universities and Research the Honorable Fabio Mussi and in attendance with officials from the European Commission, National Polar programme managers from 19 European countries and invited guests and researchers.

Dr David Carlson Director International Polar Year Programme & Dr Artur Chilingarov Special Representative of President Putin for the International Polar Year and as Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federatio will also attend.

Press members who wish to attend the event please contact:

Dr Paul Egerton
Executive Director
European Polar Board
European Science Foundation
Cell: + 33 (0) 607 18 73 10
Email: pegerton@esf.org