Blog | usapecs

Engaging in Relational Glaciology: How can we begin?

Written by Keeya Beausoleil (sher/her), MSc Student, University of Idaho Author, Keeya Beausoleil. Engaging in Relational Glaciology: How can we begin? My master’s thesis studies two glaciers I have never visited. I did not collect the data; I inherited it. I became “familiar” with these landscapes through spreadsheets and seismic time series rather than through my own embodied experience. This feeling of estrangement from research that was meant to be my own sparked the begi

1 day ago13 min read

Pass It On: A New Approach to Polar Gear and Community Knowledge

Written by Marion McKenzie, Proposal Analyst, Colorado School of Mines Author, Marion McKenzie. Pass It On: A New Approach to Polar Gear and Community Knowledge! During the 2023 West Antarctic Ice Sheet workshop at the University of Florida, early career members of the community came together to talk about shared wants, needs, and ways to build connections. One theme that came up repeatedly was access: who has access to information, field experiences, and the equipment needed

May 164 min read

Building Effective Collaborations: Perspectives from AAPI scientists in Cryosphere Research

The US Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (https://www.usapecs.org/), in collaboration with the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Geosciences (AAPIIG, https://aapigeosci.org/), presents a panel event on Building Effective Collaborations: Perspectives from AAPI scientists in Cryosphere Research Thursday May 14 @ 12:00-1:30 PDT / 3:00-4:30 EDT / 9:00-10:30 AM HST Zoom Registration Link: Cryosphere Event: https://uci.zoom.us/meeting/register/1TW7fKAmRgS32e70ctrW

May 61 min read

Statement of Solidarity

March 11th, 2025 Statement of Solidarity The US Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (USAPECS) stands in unwavering solidarity with the broader scientific and research communities in response to the recent federal funding cuts for climate change research and the unfortunate firing of NOAA federal agents. These actions threaten not only the integrity of polar research but also undermine the crucial work being done to understand and mitigate the effects of climate chang

Mar 112 min read

10th Annual International Polar Film Festival

In conjunction with APECS International Polar Week, the US Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (USAPECS) is hosting the annual international Polar Film Festival and celebrating its 10-year anniversary in March 2026! For five days, the Polar Film Festival will showcase short videos on topics related to the polar regions to the public and broader Polar research community. Films will be shared on our website each day during the APECS International March Polar Week (Marc

Feb 101 min read

USAPECS at the AGU Fall Meeting 2025

As the year comes to a close, we’re grateful for the strong and visible presence of USAPECS at the AGU Fall Meeting 2025 in New Orleans. The Polar Early Career Researchers Social co-organized with Polar Science Early Career Community Office, Polar Impact, and US Permafrost Association was a great success, bringing together early career scientists from across the polar community for an evening of connection, conversation, and community. It was energizing to see such strong eng

Jan 51 min read

2025-26 Call for Blogs

This year, USAPECS is hosting a blog series entitled “Reimagining data in polar science”! We are looking for US-based scientists, fieldwork organizers, and professionals with any polar/alpine/cryosphere connection for this series. Our goal is to showcase advances and new applications in research methods and frameworks being used across disciplines in the polar research community, and how researchers are adapting to social, economic, and environmental change. Potential topics

Dec 18, 20251 min read

10th Annual International Polar Film Festival

Nov 18, 20251 min read

Call for Survey Participants: Assessing Challenges for Polar Early Career Scientists During Science Policy Upheaval

Call for Participants: Early career researchers in polar and cryosphere science — we want to hear from you! Take our 10–15 minute anonymous survey: “Assessing Challenges for Polar Early Career Scientists During Science Policy Upheaval.” We’re studying how recent shifts in science policy, funding, and career opportunities affect the U.S. early career polar research community. Participation is voluntary and anonymous (no names, emails, or institutions collected). After completi

Nov 17, 20251 min read

AGU 2025 Polar ECR Social

Heading to AGU this December? Be sure to register for the AGU Social for Polar Early Career Researchers happening on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 6:30 - 8:30pm. This event is co-hosted by PSECCO, USAPECS, Polar Impact and the USPA Community Care Committee. Enjoy mingling with other individuals from the early career community and learn about awesome organizations that early career researchers can engage in! Space is limited to 100 participants, and location will be provi

Nov 17, 20251 min read

Assessing Challenges for Polar Early Career Scientists During Science Policy Upheaval

USAPECS and COLDEX are proud to partner for Assessing Challenges for Polar Early Career Scientists During Science Policy Upheaval through the Polar Partnership Networking Event Collaboration Funding Support provided by PSECCO. Stay tuned for more updates!

Oct 8, 20251 min read

Share Your Input: Listening Sessions for the National Arctic Research Plan

The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC), chaired by the National Science Foundation, is currently seeking public input on national research needs in the Arctic. This feedback will be used to inform the development of the next five-year, National Arctic Research Plan for 2027-2031. . As part of this public input period, IARPC will be hosting a series of thematic Arctic Research Plan listening sessions to gather feedback connected to IARPC Collaboration Team ac

Sep 24, 20251 min read