The Science Under Pressure core Team invite all polar researchers to fill in the Science under Pressure survey. In this survey, the team would like to ask you a number of questions about the conditions you face as a polar researcher in your work environment. This questionnaire aims to initiate a discussion that will be continued in the next years at a variety of polar science fora discussing the directions and need for structural reforms of academia in the polar research context. While we recognize that there are external political pressures on polar researchers, this survey focuses on institutional structures and issues within the polar research community. Submissions deadline is 15 November 2025.
Click here to go to the survey, or read more about Science under Pressure at our website.
Context
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.
Thank you for your contribution!
The Science under Pressure core team,
- Annette Scheepstra (Lead), Arctic Centre, University of Groningen, Netherlands (IASC SHWG)
- Inga Beck, SCAR EDI AG, LMU Munich, Germany
- Sophie Elixhauser, University of Vienna, Austrian Polar Research Institute (APRI)
- Alison Perrin, Yukon University, Canada (IASC SHWG)
- Gertrude Saxinger, University of Graz, Austrian Polar Research Institute (APRI)
Fill in our Science under Pressure survey
Related project: Workshop: Science under Pressure? – Reflecting on conditions, practices and institutional structures for sustainable polar research towards IPY 5