Advanced Field School on Arctic Sea Ice : Tracking Changes Across Scales

April 9-18, 2025, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada

Under the leadership of the Sentinel North program of Université Laval (Quebec City, Canada) and the UAK international initiative, this advanced field school on sea ice provides students with a unique opportunity to interact with high-profile scientists as part of a transdisciplinary and cutting-edge training program. This school will help participants to develop a better understanding of the changes of sea ice in the Canadian Arctic, from microstructures to icy landscapes, and its cascading impact on ecosystems, northern communities and worldwide climates.

Hosted at the Qikiqtarjuaq Research Station (Nunavut, Canada) (67° 33′ N, 64° 01′ W), this field school will provide participants with an integrative experience with a wide range of disciplines such as optics-photonics, Arctic marine biology and ecology, marine physics, biochemistry and remote sensing. The school activities will be conducted as part of an actual ocean research program, under the supervision of renowned researchers and experimented professionals. Exchange with Inuit community members will allow students to acknowledge the richness of traditional knowledge while acquiring a better understanding of the Inuit perspective on sea ice and how northern communities are confronted to issues arising from climate variability and change.

Applications will be accepted until January 20, 2025.

Submit an application

Who is it for?

Up to 16 international graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, geography, etc.) having a keen interest in the school theme will be selected.

Note: Due to the conditions of field work in the Arctic environment, all applicants should be in good physical condition.

Program
The school favors a multifaceted approach that includes lectures, discussions, and a strong hands-on component supervised by experts from various disciplines. The program will address three primary topics, focusing on different scales to study sea ice changes, and will examine the interdependencies between these scales.

Micro scale: Structure of ice and the life it supports
- The physical and biogeochemical characteristics at micro- to decameter scale that make sea ice a unique ecosystem
- Biodiversity of sea ice and evolutionary mechanisms it can promote
Meso scale: Importance of sea ice for coastal populations, marine biodiversity and wildlife
- The biodiversity sea ice supports in the ocean
- The importance of sea ice in the way of life of northerners (impact on socio-economic development, implication for food security and safety)
Macro scale : Links between polar ocean functioning and global change
- How sea ice shapes the distinct identity of polar oceans and atmospheres in terms of physics, biogeochemistry, and ecosystems
- Links with global change
Fieldwork operations
A considerable portion of the school will be dedicated to fieldwork, as part of the scientific program Baseline.
Scientific operations will 1) generate data to provide a snapshot description of the marine system surrounding Broughton Island and of microalgal primary producers and 2) contribute to the baseline data necessary to better detect effects of changes in nutrient load, possible future emergence of invasive microalgal species, and modifications of water quality.
Here is an overview of the scientific operations that the participants will experience:
- Measurements of the optical and physical properties of sea ice and overlaying snow cover.
- Measurements of optical and hydrological properties of the water column
- Sampling of microalgal primary producers in sea ice and the water column: biomass, diversity, photosynthetic properties (Niskin bottle, imaging flow cytobot, microscope, Turner fluotometer, fluorometer foe eco-physiology, filtration towers)
- Drones???
During the school and in the following weeks, participants will also be invited to actively contribute in the analysis of the data collected and in the writing of a scientific paper in collaboration with mentors and research professionals.

Exchange with the Qikiqtarjuaq community
In addition to the scientific training program, the school will include demonstration of local initiatives aiming at monitoring changes in sea ice (SIKU, SmartICE), and will promote knowledge transfer through activities within the community of Qikiqtarjuaq.

Preparation for the course
Taking part in a transdisciplinary training program requires preparation on the part of each participant. Thus, compulsory readings will be provided in advance and will have to be completed prior to the course.
List of experts

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Application and selection process
Those interested in participating in the School must provide the following documents:
Completed registration form
- Résumé (including your education, professional experience, and communications)
- Letter of recommendation from your program or research supervisor (One page)
- Selection process
The organizing committee will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:
- Relevance of the applicant’s field of research program to the School’s topic
- The applicant's aptitude for research
- The applicant's interest and capacity for interdisciplinary teamwork
The selection process will also consider the diversity of applicants’ disciplines and backgrounds. Individuals from all geographic regions, as well as underrepresented minorities, are encouraged to apply.
This school will be offered in English. Fluency in English is required.
All participants are expected to attend the entire session.
Individuals will be notified of the final selection by January 31, 2025.
Participation fees
The registration fee for this course is $1000 (Canadian dollars).

This fee includes:
- Registration for the School
- Flight from Ottawa to Iqaluit and Qikiqtarjuaq
- Accommodation in Iqaluit and Qikiqtarjuaq
- All meals on April 10-18 (inclusively)
- An attestation of completion from Université Laval (conditional to your participation)
The fee does not cover:
- Travel to Ottawa
- Accommodation in Ottawa (to be discussed) and transportation to Ottawa airport
- Insurance coverage (mandatory)
Payment must be received in full on February 10, 2025. Payment details will be provided to the selected candidates.

Financial support
Selected students from Université Laval can apply to Sentinel North training fund.
Selected students from the UAK program will have to contact XXX to obtain information on financial support offered.
A limited number of training fee waivers will also be granted based on merit and need.