Long before my presidency, I was an enthusiastic
redressed and embraced by all IPY partners. The
champion of ACIA and remain so this day. ACIA was
principal IPY partners with IASC were AC, the Arctic
ably led by the great advocate of arctic and global
Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), WMO, Inter-
change science Bob Corell and by AMAP´s trusted
governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and
guru Lars-Otto Reiersen. Both Bob and Lars-Otto
ICSU. ICARP II and the 4th IPY introduced IASC to
had long associations with the early days of IASC
hundreds of contributing scientists.
and the forerunner of AC and I remain grateful for
their collegiality. ACIA epitomized one of the func-
Another of my activities was the successful applica-
tions of IASC, which is to identify important science
tion to ICSU for Associate membership. Membership
questions and stimulate the search for solutions to
in ICSU had been discussed since IASC´s inception
these questions. Further, ACIA addressed import-
but had languished for lack of unanimous support
ant science policy issues which, at that time, were
from Council. I saw ICSU membership as a way of
largely avoided by IASC.
neutralizing a criticism that was often leveled at
IASC that it was not recognized among national
I embraced and championed ASSW and ICARP I which
and international scientific bodies. This membership
were two of IASC´s earlier creations. These remain
also strengthened our credentials for being a leader
welcomed annual and decadal events, respectively,
in IPY planning and execution and in forging a stron-
and are a good illustration of the value of partner-
ger partnership with our south polar twin SCAR
ships. ASSW is a team effort with leading organi-
which had been a long-standing member of ICSU.
zations such as the EPB, AOSB, IASSA, FARO and
NySMAC joining IASC to plan an annual stocktaking
of the state of Arctic research. ASSW does much
APECS and for improving the rigor of scientific pro-
to maintain, strengthen, and initiate partnerships.
posals. These efforts blossom and bear fruit today.
At ASSW 2003 in Kiruna, I led the call for ICARP II
Many of IASC´s senior scientists still act as mentors
(2005), which would be another stock-taking but,
to APECS, an organization that ensures that there is
more importantly, a pan-arctic science planning ef-
a bright future for those who wish to be part of the
fort. We were immediately able to gather partners
next generation of polar investigators. Much credit
for ICARP II to help raise the necessary funds and
for raising the quality of proposals lies with my pre-
begin the process of identifying study themes and
decessor David Drewry who emphasized the need
leaders. Bob Corell agreed to lead the project and
to develop and promote sharp ideas and questions.
this ensured that the legacy of ACIA would seg-
IASC´s efforts to fund only the best and most clear-
ue to ICARP II. Jörn Thiede and Sara Bowden and
ly formulated seed ideas contributed to the high
Kristján Kristjánsson were stalwart supporters of
quality of many of the more than 800 Expressions
ICARP II from its inception through to the final re-
of Intent submitted to the IPY Secretariat when IPY
ports.
was in the planning stages.
It was at ASSW 2003 that the Fourth IPY (2007-
Sowing and Supporting New Initiatives
2008) also crystallized and ICARP II led the way for
Several new initiatives were launched during my
identifying several of the themes for IPY research. I
presidency, which I enthusiastically supported and
have a clear recollection that social sciences were
championed. Two efforts in particular were ISAC and
being forgotten in the IPY agenda at ASSW 2004 in
SAON. Credit for seeding these ideas, respectively,
Reykjavik. Our austral colleagues seemed unaware
began with Tom Pyle of OPP NSF and Odd Rogne;
that the social sciences had a place in a modern IPY.
however, I believe that I helped nurture their devel-
I was able to lead IASC´s strong stand for the in-
opment by going to bat for them at every oppor-
clusion of social sciences. Naturally, colleagues from
tunity. ISAC and SAON are still developing and have
IASSA endorsed this stand and the omission was
77
Finally, under this heading, I list IASC´s support for
a growing list of participants. Support for these
03 Contributions of Former IASC Presidents