4.6
The IPPI Framework Agreement will create a platform enabling efficient cooperative response to
existing and future challenges. The IPPI Implementation Plan will turn existing polar activities into a
Preparing Future IASC Leaders by
Laying the Foundation of the
Association of Polar Early Career
Scientists (APECS)
coordinated series of highly productive interagency initiatives to address the identified challenges. SCAR and IASC are actively working with ICSU
Jenny Baeseman
Reviewer: Hugues Lantuit
to explore synergies between ICSU´s new Future
Earth initiative and the IPPI.
An important spin-off from the IPY was the devel-
IPY 2007-2008 created the framework for many
opment of APECS, which was jointly sponsored by
levels of international and interdisciplinary grass-
SCAR and IASC since 2008. APECS is a worldwide
roots collaboration. As one of the leading bodies of
association for undergraduate and graduate stu-
the IPY, IASC facilitated and encouraged many of
dents, postdoctoral researchers, early career faculty
these efforts.
members, educators and others with interests in
Polar Regions and the wider cryosphere. It grew out
In preparing for the IPY, a group of like-minded early
of the IPY´s International Youth Steering Commit-
career researchers joined forces in 2006 to create
tee. Sponsorship recognizes the need to stimulate
an international and interdisciplinary network for
and nurture the next generation of polar research-
people at the beginning stages of their careers in
ers so as to ensure a legacy of continued polar sci-
polar research. The aims of the network were not
ence. Primary objectives include creating a network
just meant to engage other young researchers, but
of polar researchers across disciplines and national
to learn from senior professionals and create a con-
boundaries to meet, share ideas and experiences,
tinuum of knowledge of the Polar Regions. This net-
and develop new research directions and collabo-
work became the Association of Polar Early Career
rations; providing opportunities for career devel-
Scientists (APECS) and is often referred to as one of
opment and promoting education and outreach
the greatest legacies of IPY.
to attract future generations of polar researchers.
APECS encourages senior researchers to register
Several of the early career researchers involved in
on the APECS website and serve as mentors. SCAR
establishing APECS were also involved in the IASC-
and IASC provide advice to APECS and co-sponsor
led ICARP II process. Because of these connections,
initiatives such as workshops and brochures on rel-
strong links between APECS and IASC were in place
evant topics. APECS is invited to send an observer
from the early stages. Initial discussions on how
to SCAR and IASC administrative meetings and to
IASC might assist these early career researchers
attend SCAR and IASC science meetings.
in their APECS mission included both supportive
advice and hesitation on the role that IASC could
SCAR and IASC worked hard together to ensure a
play for such a network on an international level.
higher profile for the polar sciences in the post-IPY
These discussions resulted in APECS developing
world. After the IPY Joint Committee was disbanded
a stronger platform for their organization, more
in 2010 there was no formal mechanism for polar
meaningful activities and ties to established senior
issues to be brought to the attention of ICSU. How-
level professional bodies, including both IASC and
ever, recognizing the importance of the poles to the
SCAR.
global environment, ecosystems and society, ICSU
has continued to work closely with its polar bodies
to ensure that such issues are considered.
93
In 2007, IASC supported APECS in holding their
first official career development activity at the
04 Cooperation with Other Organizations