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Notes from the SCAR President, number 35 (21 February 2011)
Updates and Call for Assistance
Dear Colleagues,
Many SCAR activities that are conducted each year have been announced and actions resulting from the Delegates meetings are rapidly moving forward. This Note updates several items and calls for your assistance in getting the word out about various SCAR programs and opportunities.
In 2012, the United States will host the SCAR biennial meetings in Portland, Oregon. The pace of planning for these meetings is picking up and a preliminary circular and website for the meetings will be available soon. As in 2010, there will be an International Polar Year conference scheduled just a few months before the SCAR Open Science Conference. As many will be unable to attend both meetings, it is important that we inform the Antarctic community that there will be a choice of international meetings in 2012. As the first announcements of the SCAR meetings appear I request your assistance in spreading the news about our conference. As an update Peter Convey, British Antarctic Survey, UK and Rasik Ravindra, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, India have agreed to co-Chair the International Scientific Organizing Committee (ISOC). Invitations to join the ISOC have been issued and membership will be finalized shortly. The ISOC will be responsible for assembling the science program for the Open Science Conference which will highlight SCAR programs. As a theme, the title of the SCAR Strategic Plan 2011-2016 has been adopted "Antarctic Science and Policy Advice in a Changing World". The intent is to use the OSC to showcase SCAR's dual mission in science and advice.
The Action Group to consider the future of the "Human Element" in SCAR has an agreed membership and will be chaired by Toni Meloni, Italy. The AG will meet in Cambridge, UK on 4 March 2011 at the SCAR Seretariat. If you have opinions regarding this new dimension for SCAR, please direct comments to Toni.
The Business Case for an increase in SCAR membership fees in 2013 was circulated on 16 February 2011. If you have any questions or need additional information for discussing important issue with your national funding agencies, please contact the SCAR Secretariat or myself.
Registration and abstract submission for the 11th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences, taking place at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland from 10 to 15 July 2011, has opened. Abstract submission and early registration are slated to close on 31 March 2011. The SCAR Executive Committee will utilize this opportunity to convene its 2011 meeting.
It was announced that the Deep Sea Research II - CAML Special Issue is now published. CAML has secured three months of online free access to the special issue.
Nominations for the Martha T. Muse Prize 2011 are now open. The "Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica" is a US$ 100,000 unrestricted award presented to an individual in the fields of Antarctic science or policy that has demonstrated potential for sustained and significant contributions that will enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica. The goal is to provide recognition of the important work being done by the individual and to call attention to the significance of understanding Antarctica in a time of change. The Prize is awarded by the Tinker Foundation and administered by SCAR. Visit the Muse Prize website for further details. Online nominations should be submitted via the Nominations section of the website and will close on 1st May 2011. Please take the time to nominate a deserving colleague.
I am particularly pleased to announce that SCAR and COMNAP are working together to attract talented researchers, engineers and other professionals to strengthen international capacity and cooperation through a Joint Fellowship Program for early career scientists. The deadline for applications is 15th May 2011. The Fellowships are worth up to US$ 15,000 each and up to five (4 SCAR and 1 COMNAP Fellowships) are on offer for 2011. The Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) has been offering scientific fellowships to early career scientists since 2005. I encourage you to widely advertise these fellowships in your country and encourage early career scientists to apply. Full details are available from the Fellowships section of the SCAR website.
It is important that you assist in making the opportunities listed above widely known in your country. Also we solicit your input on any of the activities that are underway. As always do not hesitate to contact me for any reason. I hope this email finds you well!
Chuck K,
President of SCAR
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