ASM2019 - Halifax, NS

ASM 2019 - Halifax, NS
December 2 - 5, 2019, Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, Canada

Summary

ArcticNet’s 15th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM 2019) hosted approximately 1100 registrants convening at the Halifax Convention Center from December 2-5, 2019. Participants included Arctic researchers, Inuit, First Nations, Métis and Northern community representatives, government and non-government organizations, students, and industry stakeholders. Northern participation is a valued aspect of the ASM, and thanks to the Northern Travel Fund initiatives and support from ArcticNet’s core projects, 286 residents from Inuit Nunangat and the Territories were able to attend the conference. Northerners constituted 26% of attendees, making ASM 2019 the meeting with the highest rate of northern participation in ArcticNet’s history.

It was, therefore, the perfect venue to launch ArcticNet 2.0, and the new North by North program, an innovative research and training initiative led, directed and governed by Northerners, for Northerners.

Student Day launched the conference attracting 300 attendees from all sectors and disciplines including over 650 early career-researchers attending the meeting. The 2019 edition of Student Day, a collaborative effort between the ASA, APECS and PYRN, featured the ArcticNet 2.0 opening plenary, the elevator pitch and student day photo contests, ASA elections, and a panel discussion focused on how northerners and southerners can work in harmony. Additionally, newly elected ASA President Enooyaq Sudlovenick presented a session on how to prepare a last-minute presentation. These activities were livestreamed on the ASA Twitter account, Facebook page and on ArcticNet’s Facebook page. This one-day event culminated with the Inuit Culture Night, which featured Inuit games and a screening of Hunting with my Ancestors (Isuma Productions), encouraging networking in a congenial and casual setting.

The breadth and depth of the Conference Program was unprecedented, including 12 plenary sessions - which were livestreamed via the ArcticNet Facebook page and Twitter account, with over 3000 views and counting – and 49 topical sessions. Approximately 300 researchers in all shared their knowledge and expertise on an impressive array of Arctic related issues. The results highlighted the environmental, health and socio-economic challenges and opportunities in a fast-changing circumpolar region.

In addition to a compelling Scientific Program, the conference experience was enhanced with numerous engagement opportunities, such as over 30 Side Meetings and, for the first time, three dedicated Networking Events, allowing ample occasions for delegates to interact as well as meet with the 30 exhibitors on site. Over 200 posters were presented throughout the week and showcased the excellent research proudly supported by ArcticNet and our communities’ dedication to their work and the Arctic.

For the fourth 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. Wayne Pollard, a Geography Professor from McGill University, for his research on perennial springs in high Arctic polar deserts. The Tales from the Field event was held just before the banquet, which culminated with the presentation of Polar Knowledge Canada’s 2019 Northern Science Award to Dr. Julie Cruikshank.

The Gala Awards Banquet began with the student prizes, featuring the Elevator Pitch Award Winners - Gwenaelle Gremion, Samuel Gagnon and Benjamin Richard; the People’s Choice Winner - Jade Brossard; the Poster Award Winners – Breanna Bishop for Social and Health Sciences, Debbie Jenkins for Terrestrial Sciences, and Alexandra Mayette for Marine Sciences. The Photo Contest Winners per category were as follows, Artistic Merit: Ella Guscelli; Plants and Wildlife: Lorenzo Ragazzi; People and Communities: Wilson Cheung; Research Activities: Alexandre Paiement and Landscape: Hilary Sadowsky. 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.

Hilary Sadowsky from the University of Guelph was the proud recipient of the coveted ITK Inuit Partnership of Excellence Student Poster Award for her project in Pond Inlet and the ArcticNet Inuit Advisory Committee presented the Inuit Recognition Award to Queen’s University Professor Robert Way whose work is helping reshape the research dynamic in Inuit Nunangat. Finally, APECS Canada recognized the fostering of polar early career researchers by awarding the ASA Mentor Award to José Gerin-Lajoie from UQTR. The finalists of the eighth annual Arctic Inspiration Prize were also announced. A noteworthy highlight at the Gala Awards Banquet was the privilege of watching the musical performance of the Inuit group Siqiniup Qilauta (sun's drum in English) who throat sang and drummed with participation from the audience.

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 ASM2019 a resounding success.

To access the official conference website: http://www.arcticnetmeetings.ca/asm2019/index.php