The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) has published the results of its latest Organisational Review, covering the period 2016–2025.
The IASC Founding Articles call for a regular review of the organization. Following the reviews in 1996, 2006 and 2016, the IASC Council decided that ten years after the third review and parallel to the completion of the fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV), it would be timely to conduct another review of IASC and appointed an international group of experts to serve on the IASC Review Committee.
The overall tasks for the Review Committee were to
(1) Evaluate IASC´s activities over the 10-year period 2016-2025 and to
(2) Recommend strategies for the future.
The review applied to the organization as a whole and examines the organisation’s strategic direction, governance, partnerships, scientific impact, early career engagement, Indigenous engagement, and operational efficiency - against the backdrop of the opportunities and challenges of the review period. It is based on the assessments of the committee members and on consultations with the IASC community through semi-structured interviews and an online survey.
The results come at an important time for IASC, as the organisation reflects on the outcomes of ICARP IV, looks ahead to its next strategic priorities, and contributes to preparations for the Fifth International Polar Year 2032–33.