ASM2018 - Ottawa, ON

ASM2018 - Ottawa, ON
December 10 - 14, Shaw Centre

Summary

ASM attendance reached unprecedented numbers in 2018 with over 1250 registrants convening at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa from December 10 – 14, 2018 for the ASM2018! Researchers, Inuit, First Nations, students, and government representatives alike, chose the ASM2018 to share their knowledge and expertise on an impressive array of Arctic related issues. Northern participation is a valued aspect of the ASM and in 2018, thanks to two Northern Travel Fund initiatives, over 50 residents from Nunangat and the Territories were able to attend the conference.

Student Day launched the conference attracting 400 attendees from all sectors and disciplines including over 250 early career-researchers. The 2018 edition of Student Day, a collaborative effort by the ASA, APECS and PYRN, featured presentations and workshops focused on the theme of Building the Capacity, Resilience, and Awareness of Early-Career Arctic Researchers. This 1.5-day event culminated with a dedicated Student Day Awards Ceremony where the ASA-APECS Mentor Award was presented to Dr. Gita Ljubicic for her dedication to Inuit self-determination and the mentorship opportunities within her projects; and the popular Elevator Pitch awards were presented to Katie Rosa, Laurent Erland and Elizabeth Worden.

The 400 oral presentations and the 260 posters presented throughout the week showcased the excellent research proudly supported by ArcticNet and our communities’ dedication to their work and the Arctic. In addition to a compelling Scientific Program, the conference experience was enhanced with numerous networking opportunities including 40 Side Meetings, two dedicated poster sessions, and the coffee and lunch breaks allowing ample occasions for delegates to interact as well as meet with the 32 exhibitors on site. Inuit Culture Night and Women in Northern Science were also highly anticipated and attended side events encouraging networking in a congenial and casual setting.

For the 3rd year running, the prestigious Weston Family Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Northern Research was presented at the ASM; this year, the $100,000 prize was awarded to Dr. Derek Muir, Research Scientist with Environment & Climate Change Canada for his valuable contributions to understanding chemical contaminants in the Arctic.

A noteworthy highlight at the Gala Awards Banquet was the privilege of having Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada take the stage to deliver a captivating talk and present the 2018 Polar Knowledge Northern Science Award which was accepted by Ellen Avard on behalf of the Nunavik Research Centre, an inspiring model of what can be achieved through community-based science.

In addition to the prizes mentioned above, the Gala Awards Banquet proudly recognized research excellence and its presentation to 13 students from 11 universities by means of the Student Poster Competition. As well, the Inuit Partnership of Excellence Award was presented to Katherine Wilson and the ITK Inuit Recognition Award went to Peter May and Michele Wood. Finally, the six (6) ArcticNet Photo Contest winners were announced; we wish to express our appreciation for the beauty the winners’ photos brought to the venue where they were on display and to all entrants whose photos have enriched the network’s photo gallery.

The ArcticNet Board of Directors, Research Management Committee and Secretariat would like to thank all the participants, sponsors, partners and exhibitors for their contributions that helped make the ASM2018 a resounding success.

To access the official conference website: http://www.arcticnetmeetings.ca/asm2018/pages/program.php