The following seven preliminary topic areas for the Research Priority Teams have been identified by the ICARP IV International Steering Committee Meeting. To ground the process in the outcomes of the last ICARP III, the topic areas include the ICARP III themes (from the final ICARP III report) plus additional relevant themes. Each RPT should also consider several cross-cutting themes in their work, including but not limited to co-production of knowledge.
Topic Area 1: The Role of the Arctic in the Global System
- The team will address research priorities and their implementation regarding topics such as: the needs for further scientific understanding of the role of the Arctic in the global climate system (past, present, and future); extreme events; permafrost thaw and SLCF; temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation (spatio-temporal aggregation); teleconnection patterns; impacts of rapid changing Arctic on extreme events locally and remotely; and global consequences (including concerning human / social aspects).
Topic Area 2: Observing, Reconstructing, and Predicting Future Climate Dynamics and Ecosystem Responses
- The team will address research priorities and their implementation regarding topics such as: Arctic observing needs (including prioritisation and planning tools for selecting observables and the engagement of indigenous peoples and stakeholders in these processes); climate system and transformations; predicting future climate dynamics; and the need for, and nature of, sustained observations and monitoring systems including spatio-temporal comparable monitoring of abiotic and biotic factors (e.g. atmosphere - vegetation - soil). In addition, the potential of paleobiology and paleoclimatology as a basis for conservation practices and evidence-based modelling will be assessed.
Topic Area 3: Understanding the Vulnerability and Resilience of Arctic Environments and Societies and Supporting Sustainable Development
- The team will address research priorities and their implementation regarding topics such as: sustainable and equitable Arctic economy; adaptive management and nature-based solutions (actions/adaptations/measures); healthy Arctic and healthy peoples (multi-stressor effects, contaminants and climate interactions, One Health); energy systems; sustainable energy production; green transition and green energy; reliability; resilience; food systems; sustainable production; resilience; water systems and drinking water; sanitary health; infrastructure and migration.
Topic Area 4: Scientific cooperation and diplomacy
- The team will address research priorities and their implementation regarding topics such as: effective international pan-Arctic cooperation in joint-funding and delivery of Arctic research outcomes; connecting and coordinating national and international funding agencies; utilising the role, contribution and value of Arctic science at times of high geopolitical tension; pathways to effective research cooperation; research exchange programs; and collaborative observing amid geopolitical constraints.
Topic Area 5: Co-Production and Indigenous-led methodologies
- The team will address research priorities and their implementation regarding topics such as: co-production of knowledge; empowerment; capacity sharing; creating space and opportunities for Indigenous institutions / scholars to lead research and develop collaborations; Indigenous leadership; bringing education, science, and Indigenous knowledge together; producers and users of knowledge; and Indigenising Arctic research.
Topic Area 6: Preparing present and future generations through Education, Outreach, Communication, Capacity Building, and Networking
- The team will address how Arctic research planning and traditional knowledge are preparing present and future generations living in the Arctic and beyond to build community resilience and sustainability. Topics include: connecting Arctic issues, research priorities and their implementation; effective outreach, science communication and capacity building between research teams, local communities, decision-makers and the wider public; engaging young people, local communities, decision-makers and others in research planning; training a new generation of Arctic researchers, equipped to lead and be engaged in Arctic research at all levels; the role of EOC working at the interface of academic science and Indigenous traditional and local knowledge helping to combine and harmoniously integrate these different knowledge systems; measuring impact - effective planning and evaluation; equality, diversity, access and inclusion in EOC.
Topic Area 7: Technology, Infrastructure, Logistics, and Services
- The team will address research priorities and their implementation regarding topics such as: Arctic infrastructure needs; engineering; new and emerging technologies (e.g. AI and machine learning), the potential for further automation and remote operation in research; the requirements and opportunities presented by new large-scale research equipment and monitoring systems; the potential for step-changes in the sharing of national infrastructure and the creation of new international platforms.