Science under Pressure

Within both the ICARP IV process and the first IPY-5 document, ambitions are high, for instance regarding co-creation of (working with different) knowledge (systems), international cooperation, more holistic research approaches, contribution of science to address climate, environmental and societal problems and more communication and outreach activities. Furthermore, there is an increasing awareness that research should be conducted in an environmentally sustainable as well as healthy way.

At the same time, rapid action and complex research requirements put scientists under pressure in terms of the existing mismatch of the conventional environment in academia with high-speed production and precarious working conditions for many.

We think it is important and timely to rethink how we want to organise the knowledge production process in the future. Can we reduce detrimental speed in science and take more time for high quality work? Currently little attention is given to reduce pressure on the research community, the individual researchers as well as on the Indigenous Peoples involved in science.

Our main goal is to develop evidence-based improvements to the status quo in polar research structures. In other words, the IPY-5 program should be drawing on best practices and IPY-5 objectives must be consistent with the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and promote collaborative, co-productive, culturally sensitive and sustainable approaches to research. This also means that employment conditions and institutional structures in polar research must be improved to meet the mentioned ambitions.