A Multi-prong Approach to Arctic Change Knowledge Transfer

The International Arctic Research Center (IARC) uses several methods in the communication of scientific information and understanding about arctic change that include two-way knowledge flow depending on the community being served. Target audiences include K-12, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, early career and established scientists, policy makers, stakeholders, and the general public. Traditional ways such as publication of scientific findings in professional journals, research highlights published on individual scientist websites or on the IARC website, institutional brochures, professional conference presentations and university seminars. Additionally, there are town/community meetings or events that IARC scientists organize or are invited to participate in. A workshop organized by an IARC scientist resulted in the formation of the Bering Strait Research Consortium&mdash:a forum for communication of cultural, health, economic and scientific research activities to the public, data exchange, research synthesis and research support information. Through IARC projects such as "Social Vulnerability to Climate Change of Alaskan Coasts and Thermokarst Failures" and "Stakeholders and Climate Change", there are collaborative exchanges between local residents and scientists. Summer schools are held yearly for upper level undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows, focusing on different topics including arctic climate and terrestrial ecosystems, climate change in the Arctic Ocean, arctic modeling. Research experience incorporated in the classroom curriculum is provided to K-12 students through IARC's Seasons and Biomes, Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment and the Alaska Lake Ice and Snow Observatory Network projects. This is accomplished through professional development workshops and long term support for teachers who in turn teach their students scientific measurements and engage them in scientific investigations as a way of learning about arctic change and science. IARC scientists have also given invited testimonies on climate change to the Alaska Governor's cabinet, Alaska and other U.S. legislators and have contributed to the Interior Issues Climate Change TaskForce meetings. IARC scientists have also published in popular magazines and have been interviewed about their research for public media that includes newspaper, radio and television within the United States and internationally.