The UArctic Assembly 2026 convenes in Tórshavn
Around 150 participants joined the UArctic Assembly 2026 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands, on 29 May 2026. The Assembly meeting was held as part of the UArctic...
Fri, May 29, 2026
The Polish Polar Consortium (PPC), established in 2014, is a national partnership uniting leading Polish universities, polytechnics, state research institutes, and key institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences active in polar research. Currently comprising 19 institutions, and soon to expand to 22 member institutions, the Consortium represents a research community of over 1,000 scientists working across the Arctic and Antarctic.
The mission of the PPC is to provide a framework for effective cooperation of the Polish polar research community, focusing on raising funds for research, implementing high-quality scientific projects, developing Polish observational infrastructure, and supporting fieldwork logistics, including the operation of Polish polar stations and research vessels. Special emphasis is placed on education and support of early-career polar scientists, fostering the next generation of leaders in polar research.
PPC plays a central role in strategic planning and coordination of polar science in Poland. It has produced key documents such as the Strategy for Polish Polar Research and the Polish Snow Research Program on Svalbard, provides expert services to stakeholders and the public, and co-created the first Polish Polar Policy in 2022, incorporated into national legislation. Internationally, PPC promotes collaboration through initiatives such as CRIOS (Cryosphere Integrated Observatory Network on Svalbard) and HarSval (Polish-Norwegian Svalbard cooperation), and develops open-access data infrastructure through the Polish Polar DataBase, implementing FAIR and CARE principles.
To support Arctic research and education, PPC operates the Logistics and Science Centre BERA on Svalbard, providing fieldwork logistics, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Fri, May 29, 2026
Generation, management, and open dissemination of FAIR and CARE-compliant polar data
Translation of research into policy, innovation, and public outreach
Key Work Plan 2026
Participation in preparations for the V International Polar Year (IPY-5, 2032–2033), including creation of the National IPY Committee
Development of a bilateral infrastructure project funded through the Norwegian Funds
Further development and expansion of the Polish Polar DataBase
Coordination of cooperation in international research networks (SIOS, COMNAP, FARO, InSync Antarctica, UArctic)
Organization of scientific sessions and participation in international events (e.g., Arctic Circle Assembly)
Co-organization of conferences and events promoting polar science
One of the most important tasks in the coming years is preparing the Polish polar research community for active participation in IPY-5.
Fields of Study (Higher Education Opportunities)
As PPC is a research consortium, educational opportunities are provided through member universities and institutes in the following ISCED fields:
Environmental Sciences (ISCO 041)
Earth Sciences / Geosciences (ISCO 0411)
Marine and Freshwater Biology (ISCO 043)
Physics / Atmospheric and Cryosphere Studies (ISCO 040)
Biochemistry and Polar Biology (ISCO 0412)