pdf SCAR XXXI WP37b: Application for 2011 Major Meeting Funds - ISAES

SCAR XXXI WP37b: Application for 2011 Major Meeting Funds - ISAES

Executive Summary

Title:  Application for 2011 major Meeting Funds - ISAES 2011 Meeting

Authors: Tom Bradwell, Martin Siegert, Alan Vaughan

Relevant URLs or references to other reports: (obsolete link)

Introduction/ Background: The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) convenes the International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences (ISAES) every 4 years. From 10-16^th July 2011 the 11^th Symposium will be held in Edinburgh, jointly organized by the University of Edinburgh, the British Geological Survey, and the British Antarctic Survey. Recent previous symposia have attracted between 300 and 450 delegates from 6 continents. This will be the first time ISAES has come to the UK since 1987 (Cambridge).

Important Issues or Factors: Organizing ISAES XI will require a significant financial outlay. Early conference planning has already been undertaken and an outline of costs has been drawn up. It is envisaged that the bulk of the organizational work will be done by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), headed by Dr Bradwell (BGS). A professional Conference Administrator will be appointed to the LOC to oversee Delegate Registration and the Legal details of the conference. This post is to be part time with limited overheads, to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. All other aspects of conference management, in the run up to the event, will be co-ordinated by the LOC. A Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) has already been convened and will meet only twice a year to minimize costs.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: We are requesting $10,000 from the major Meetings 2011 Funds to contribute to the organization, set-up and running costs of ISAES XI in Edinburgh.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: We fully envisage ISAES XI to impact on the world’s scientific stage. As with previous ISAES meetings, we expect ISAES 2011 in Edinburgh to significantly raise awareness of Antarctic science; promote greater collaboration; attract widespread media interest; and identify potential future funding avenues for key scientific research in Antarctica.  

Partners: Along with SCAR, ISAES XI will be a partnership between The University of Edinburgh (School of Geosciences) BGS and BAS. The School of Geosciences is currently headed by Prof Siegert, and both BGS (represented by Dr Bradwell) and BAS (represented by Dr Vaughan) are UK Research Centres funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC).

Budget Implications: We request $10,000 from the Major Meetings 2011 Funds.