2022 ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM2022)

Introduction

The 2022 ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM2022) was truly momentous as it reinstated the in-person gathering after 2 years in virtual format. From December 4th to 8th, ArcticNet brought together the Northern research and science community for the 18th ASM2022 in Toronto. Over 1200 Canadian and international Arctic research community members participated in a successful week of discussion, networking, and knowledge sharing. With approximately 420 Northern participants (35% of the total), ASM2022 had the highest proportion of Northerners in attendance in the history of ArcticNet. Northern participation is critical to the ASM in ensuring that Northerners are an integral part of the conversation around the future of Arctic research in Canada.

The ASM2022 program included 61 concurrent scientific sessions (8 of which were live-streamed and recorded), over 200 posters, and 5 plenary sessions (all of which were live-streamed, recorded, and are available here). The scientific program showcased over 450 researchers who shared their expertise and presented innovations, discoveries, and solutions to various environmental, health, and socio-economic Arctic challenges.

The ASM2022 was honoured to welcome Mr. Nathan Obed, President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, who kicked off the meeting. During his opening remarks, Mr. Obed shared his thoughts on the profound changes he has seen in the ways the ArcticNet community talks about and successfully weaves the Inuit partnership in the Northern research community. Ms. Jennifer Hubbard, President and CEO of Polar Knowledge Canada, outlined how Northern and Indigenous communities are acutely experiencing the severe impacts of climate change. Facing these challenges has moved to the forefront of Canada's national agenda. However, the capacity to respond is anything but uniform across the Northern research landscape. No single organization, level of government, or agency can possibly tackle these challenges alone: “collaboration is key”, added Ms. Hubbard.

In a video, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, reminded us that different regions are not warming at the same rate and that Canada's north is warming three times faster than the rest of the planet. Within this context, he expressed the key role ArcticNet plays in examining the impacts of climate change on Northern communities, ecosystems, and the environment.

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, then highlighted by video that the work done by the ArcticNet community demonstrates Canadian leadership, commitment, and investment in the Arctic. He added that, through this work, ArcticNet is shaping science, knowledge sharing, and research that is meaningful to Northern and Arctic communities and invaluable to decision-makers.

Throughout the week, the ASM2022 hosted various special events, all showcasing Arctic and Northern science, research, and culture. The annual Inuit Culture Night, which is regularly a key highlight of the meeting, attracted an impressive crowd to enjoy Inuit throat singing, Greenlandic mask dancing, and interactive Inuit games. The poster session represented a significant opportunity for researchers at all career stages to present their work with participants in their own or other fields of research. Along with these recurrent special events this year, it was an honour to host the first screening of the Marralik documentary at the ASM. Since 2016, the Nunavik community of Kangiqsualujjuaq, together with a team of university researchers, has been building a community-based environmental monitoring program called Imalirijiit (those who study water).

The ASM202 Highlight Video of the conference (view here) is a testament to the success of this year's meeting, a success that is deeply rooted in the passion of the people who took part in it. We invite you to read the full report and view the conference photos (available here, all materials on this page: https://arcticnet.ulaval.ca/annual-scientific-meeting-2022/).

We would like to thank all ASM2022 sponsors who made this event possible, specifically our Inlandsis sponsors: Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), Amundsen Science, and the Arctic Research Foundation. Finally, we wish to express our gratitude to all the participants, presenters, partners, and exhibitors who helped make the ASM2022 a resounding achievement.