Exploring Swedish Contributions to the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY 2032-33)

The Swedish National IPY V Scoping Workshop will bring together researchers, research infrastructures, knowledge holders, stakeholders and organisations with an interest in polar research and innovation. The workshop forms part of Sweden's preparations for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY 2032-33) and will help identify scientific opportunities, emerging priorities and areas where Sweden can make distinctive contributions.

The workshop will be conducted simultaneously through a number of university hubs across Sweden, connected through a shared national online meeting. Participants are encouraged to attend at one of the local hubs, but remote participation will also be possible, but will not be able to participate in break-out discussions on the local hubs (and will miss the social coffees).

Registration: [Registration link to be added]

Hub locations:

• Chalmers University of Technology
• Göteborg University
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Linnaeus University
• Luleå University of Technology
• Mid Sweden University
• Stockholm University
• Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
• Umeå University
• Uppsala University
• Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF)

Information on venues for local hubs will be added shortly.

Purpose

The purpose of the workshop is to identify advances in knowledge and capabilities that could be enabled through and leading up to IPY 2032-33, and to explore where Swedish research, expertise, infrastructure and partnerships could make distinctive contributions.

The workshop is intended as a forward-looking exercise. Rather than focusing on ongoing research activities, discussions will explore the questions, capabilities and collaborations that could enable transformative advances in understanding the polar regions over the coming decade.

Key framing questions include:

• What could we know in 2034 that we cannot know today?
• What would make those advances possible?
• Where could Sweden make a distinctive contribution?
• What should be the next steps for the Swedish polar research community?

Preparatory Seminar

Approximately one week before the workshop, all registered participants will be invited to a short online introductory seminar.

The seminar will provide an overview of:

• The concept and objectives of IPY V
• Recent international reports and discussions on future polar research priorities
• The workshop themes and discussion format

The seminar will be recorded and made available to participants to support preparation ahead of the workshop.

Tentative Programme and Themes

29 September

08:30-08:50 
Welcome and Framing. Introduction to IPY V and the objectives of the workshop.

08:50-10:00
Theme 1: Observing the Polar Regions

10:00-10:15
Break

10:15-11:30
Theme 2: Understanding Connections, Change and Consequences

11:30-12:20
Lunch

12:20-13:30
Theme 3: Polar Knowledge, People and Societies

13:30-13:45
Break

13:45-15:00
Theme 4: Anticipating the Future

15:00-15:15
Break

15:15-16:30
Next Steps: Developing Swedish Contributions to IPY 2032-33

Discussion Format

Each thematic session will follow a common structure:

• Short introduction by the session facilitator
• Local discussions within each hub
• National discussion and synthesis involving all participants

The exact format may be adjusted as planning progresses.