23 February 2009 — For the first time, more than 1400 professionals from 40 different countries working in the coldest and most remote places on this planet are united in crossing national and disciplinary boundaries to help address the rapid changes occurring in the Polar Regions and how these changes are affecting the entire planet. Working collaboratively to ensure a continuum of polar research leadership after the International Polar Year, these young researchers created a new organization called the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS).

To emphasize the outstanding contributions to polar research from this organization, APECS President Daniela Haase, has been asked to be the Master of Ceremony at the IPY Celebrations held on 25 February in Geneva, Switzerland at the World Meteorological Organization. “Having APECS preside over this important ceremony signifies not only the progress of our organization, but the confidence the senior research community has in the next generation of polar researchers to carry forward the progress made during the IPY and to lead future research in addressing the rapid changes occurring in the harsh but fragile Polar Regions,” said Dr. Jenny Baeseman, APECS Director.

The APECS Executive Committee will be meeting with senior researchers, policy makers, and funding agencies in Geneva, Switzerland on 23-25 February at the World Meteorological Organization headquarters to help assure opportunities are provided for the hundreds of graduate students trained during the IPY can continue to use their skills and passion for the Polar Regions throughout their careers. A report on the accomplishments of this organization is available upon request.

The International Arctic Science Committee and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research have recognized APECS as the paramount organization for preparing young researchers to take on the environmental, social and geopolitical changes challenges that are increasing in the polar regions. APECS facilitates international and interdisciplinary networking, provides career development activities and resources, and educates the public about the mysterious and misunderstood polar regions of our planet. Recently, the University of Tromsø and the Norwegian Research Council have recognized the outstanding efforts of this group by establishing an International Directorate Office at the University of Tromsø.

APECS grew out of the International Youth Steering Committee, an endorsed project of the International Polar Year, as a means for young researchers to get involved in this global scientific undertaking that occurs only once every 25-50 years. The leaders of major Polar Institutions and IPY science projects mentor this group and help sustain their activities. APECS is recognized as a key legacy to the IPY and such a large network of young researchers from around the globe working in the Polar Regions is possible due to the IPY and the global efforts of the research community. The ability for young researchers to network internationally and interdisciplinarily at the beginning of their careers will change how polar research is done.

For more information, visit http://arcticportal.org/apecs

or contact Jenny Baeseman, APECS Director ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or +47 4821 8095)

Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
University of Tromsø, Norway
Office: +47 776 46593
Mobile: +47 4821 8095
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://arcticportal.org/apecs

On February 25th 2009, the IPY Joint Committee will release a report on ‘The State of Polar Research’. In the lead-up to this event, major IPY research projects are releasing information for the press, and making themselves available for media enquiries. A wide range of projects will be profiled reflecting the diversity of IPY. For more information, please visit http://www.ipy.org/index.php?ipy/detail/feb09_projects/ or contact Rhian Salmon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).