Questionnaire Antarctica

On December 22, 2023, the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat received a government assignment to develop proposals for a Swedish research strategy for Antarctica. The strategy aims to raise/increase Sweden's ambition as an active research nation in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is here asking you, as a Swedish researcher active in the polar regions, to take the opportunity to contribute with knowledge and experience to identify where Sweden already has established research activities and to identify scientific gaps existing in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. With this questionnaire, the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat wants to immerse the understanding of the prerequisite that the Swedish research community identifies to be able to conduct research at the highest scientific level.

Like all other nations of the Antarctic Treaty, Sweden follows the Treaty system with its conventions and scientific organisations in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Within SCAR's strategic plan, there are seven appointed objectives towards initiating, developing, and coordinating high-quality international scientific research in the Antarctic region:

Area of science
Data
Logistics and infrastructure
Research instruments and platforms
Communication
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Sustainability principles

We ask and hope for about 15–20 minutes of your time so that the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat can write a well-developed proposal for a solid and ambitious research strategy. Your input has the potential to form the future of Swedish Antarctic research.

The Secretariat is interested in as many opinions as possible from a broad range of researchers. Please fill in the questions as specifically as possible. It's fine to leave a question unanswered if you don't have an opinion.

Thank you!

Contact

If you have questions about the questionnaire, please contact:

Cecilia Lund
Senior Research Officer,
Swedish Polar Research Secretariat

cecilia.lund@polar.se

+46 73 644 58 08

General information

In which scientific field are you active?

Please specify the scientific fields your projects have been connected to (optional)

For how long have you been an active polar researcher?

Do you often collaborate with international researchers on projects in Antarctica or the Southern Ocean?

Scientific area

What scientific questions are most urgent to explore in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean in the next ten years?

Are there any specific scientific disciplines in Antarctic research that need to be strengthened or developed? Both regarding Swedish interests and the global understanding of science in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean.

How can research in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean contribute to understanding global climate change and its impacts?

Data

How accessible do you think existing data from Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean are to the scientific community?

What types of data are missing or insufficient for fulfilling your research needs?

How could access to research data and the sharing of such data be improved within the context of research in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean?

How can data monitoring, storage, and sharing be improved to support research over the the long term?

What challenges (both technical and in terms of data management plans) do you, Sweden, or your research area face regarding data monitoring and storage from Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean?

Logistics and infrastructure

Do you/your research group use logistics or infrastructure in Antarctica that is supported financially, in partnership and/or operationally by Sweden?

What challenges and limitations do you experience regarding logistics and infrastructure for research expeditions in the Antarctic and/or the Southern Ocean?

What are the key requirements for logistical support to facilitate research in Antarctica (e.g., transport, accommodation)?

From a Swedish perspective, how can access to research stations, field camps, and/or berths (ship time) for research vessels in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean be improved?

Research instruments and platforms

What kind of research equipment or platforms (ships, drones, satellites, etc.) are crucial for your research in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean?

Are there any equipment or platforms that you believe are missing or need upgrading for continued Antarctic research?

Are there any technological innovations that could increase research efficiency and enable new types of studies?

How can resources be shared and collaborations fostered to provide the necessary research equipment and platforms?

Communication

How do you assess the current level of communication and collaboration among different actors regarding research conducted in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean?

Which platforms or methods could promote better knowledge-sharing and collaboration within the research community?

How can communication between researchers and decision-makers be improved to better integrate research results into policy and strategy?

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Are Swedish activities in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean promoting an environment where individuals have equal access (impartial treatment) to, for example, research platforms, expeditions, and leading roles within organisations connected to Antarctica (SCAR, WG, etc.)?

Have you experienced or observed any barriers to equality and diversity in your field of research?

Should there be more initiatives and recommendations for codes of conduct in coordination with collaborative international research projects, that could also be referenced to other countries' national Antarctic programs?

Sustainability principles

Are sustainability principles integrated into your research in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean? If so, please provide an example.

What challenges and opportunities do you recognise when conducting sustainable research in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean?

How can research in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean be adapted to minimise environmental impact and be sustainable in the long term?

Are there any specific sustainability principles that should be integrated into research projects and expeditions?

How can we promote responsible and sustainable research ethics in Antarctica?

Funding

Are there any specific challenges for funding Antarctic research within the current Swedish funding system?

What would be your recommendations to overcome such challenges for funding?

Additional information

Is there any additional information you would like to provide?

Permission to store and process my data

Yes, I give permission to store and process my data.

Take the opportunity to influence future Swedish Antarctic research!