Romanovsky Photo 2022The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) awards the 2025 IASC Medal to Professor Vladimir Romanovsky (University of Alaska Fairbanks, US) for his exceptional and sustained contributions to Arctic science, particularly in the field of permafrost research. Over nearly four decades, Professor Romanovsky has been a leading figure in advancing permafrost science and modeling, significantly enhancing our understanding of permafrost's role in Arctic systems.

His dedication to national and international collaboration has been instrumental in conducting permafrost geophysical research. By providing free and open access to data, he has facilitated the monitoring of temperatures across an extensive network of boreholes, including over 150 sites in Alaska and 168 additional sites in Canada, Greenland, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. These efforts have been crucial in climate change research, particularly in geomorphology, soils, hydrology, and vegetation, improving our understanding of permafrost degradation and carbon dynamics.

Entering Arctic science in the early 1990s, Professor Romanovsky's work came at a pivotal time when the significance of permafrost in global system dynamics was becoming evident. His prolific output includes over 300 publications and reports, amassing more than 40,000 citations and an h-index of 91. His research has provided essential insights into Arctic-system evolution, hydrological dynamics, and infrastructure design, demonstrating extensive cooperation with researchers worldwide, including those in Russia and China.

Professor Romanovsky's impact extends beyond his publications. He has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows, chaired over 20 graduate advisory committees, and supported 11 postdocs and visiting fellows. His contributions to the IASC include serving on the U.S. Delegation (2014-2022) and the IASC Terrestrial Working Group (Vice Chair 2017-2021).

His greatest contributions lie in his sustained efforts to compile, synthesize, model, and share long-term permafrost data from the circumpolar Arctic and subarctic, and his spirit of international collaboration. His data and process understanding have been incorporated into numerous environmental models, influencing studies on carbon flux, climate change, and ecosystem dynamics. His work is highlighted in the 2024 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report on Climate Change and by his most recent contributions to the 2025 ICARP IV Summit.

As a permafrost ambassador, Professor Romanovsky is involved in nearly every international initiative related to permafrost, the Arctic, and climate change. His engagement in these activities and his role in fostering cooperation between Western and Russian scientists underscore his international credentials and experience. He currently serves as the U.S. delegate to the International Science Initiative in the Russian Arctic (ISIRA), critical for future circumarctic cooperation.

In summary, Professor Romanovsky's legacy will continue to influence polar research for generations. His collective achievements make him a deserving recipient of the 2025 IASC Medal.

IASC would like to thank the 2024 IASC Medal Committee for their services: Mark Inall (United Kingdom) (MWG) – Chair, Guðrún Nína Petersen (Iceland) (AWG), Robbie Mallett (Norway) (CWG) (Fellow), Annette Scheepstra (The Netherlands) (SHWG), and Xiaofan Yang (China) (TWG). 

Photo Courtesy of Professor Vladimir Romanovsky

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