Project Description
Understanding the Arctic today requires more than excellent science. Increasingly, it depends on coordination across regions, disciplines, and knowledge systems. The Arctic Pulse Polarstern–Amundsen Partnership 2027 (PAP-27) initiative set out to do exactly this. Through a series of three linked workshops and engagement activities in 2025, the project brought together researchers, Indigenous partners, and operational organizations to build a shared vision for coordinated Arctic research in the Beaufort Sea region. Across all three activities, the work was supported by Arctic Pulse (https://arcticpulse.org), a coordination framework designed to connect Arctic research efforts over longer timeframes. Arctic Pulse helps bring together partners who do not always work closely and provides a structure for aligning plans toward shared goals.
Rather than relying on a single meeting, Arctic Pulse PAP-27 followed an iterative approach. Each step built on the last. Together, the workshops moved from identifying scientific priorities, to grounding those priorities in regional perspectives, to aligning operational plans for future fieldwork.
The process began in Montréal, Canada (April 2025), where over 40 participants came together for the PAP-27 Science Workshop. The workshop was organized and led by Amundsen Science under the Polarstern–Amundsen Partnership (PAP-27) and brought together Canadian and international researchers, including key German partners. The activity was conducted within the broader Arctic Pulse framework, which supports coordination and alignment across Arctic research initiatives.
One of the most important outcomes of the workshop was the identification of a shared research direction, focusing on land–ocean interactions and connectivity in the Beaufort Sea region. This theme provides a practical way to bring together different fields, from oceanography and sea ice science to ecology, contaminants, and permafrost research. It also reflects a broader need identified during the workshop to move beyond fragmented approaches and toward integrated, cross-system understanding. In parallel, the workshop advanced a shared vision for a coordinated Polarstern–Amundsen expedition, including early alignment on scientific priorities, sampling approaches, and opportunities for collaboration across platforms. This provided a foundation for continued planning and international coordination in subsequent meetings.
Building on this scientific foundation, the second phase of the project focused on engagement in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada (October 2025) with the Fisheries Joint Management Committee (FJMC) and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). This step was critical. It ensured that research planning was not only scientifically strong, but also regionally relevant and aligned with Indigenous priorities. Discussions emphasized the importance of long-term relationships, clear communication, and co-development of research objectives. Participants also explored practical ways to support meaningful participation, including training opportunities and ship-based involvement for Inuvialuit participants. These conversations helped refine the research direction and grounded it in real-world needs and knowledge.
The final step took place in Calgary (December 2025) at the ArcticNet Annual Science Meeting, where partners reconvened for a follow-up coordination meeting supported under the Arctic Pulse framework. This meeting played a key role in advancing the PAP-27 by bringing together Canadian and international partners to align scientific, operational, and partnership priorities.
A central focus was the Canadian-German Beaufort Sea Partnered Arctic Icebreaker Research (BeauPAIR) expedition, led by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) as part of PAP-27 and supported by Arctic Pulse. An updated overview of the Polarstern 2027 expedition was presented, including a two-leg mission structure with complementary scientific objectives focused on water column processes, sediment dynamics, ecosystems, and carbon cycling in the Beaufort Sea. The meeting highlighted how this proposed expedition aligns with priorities identified by the IRC, including improved understanding of contaminants, ecosystem change, coastal processes, and freshwater influences from the Mackenzie River system. Strong emphasis was placed on co-design, ongoing engagement, and transparent communication of results with Inuvialuit partners.
Within the Arctic Pulse framework, the meeting also supported coordination of complementary Canadian research activities, including planning for the CCGS Amundsen in 2027. Updates on vessel availability and scheduling enabled participants to explore a more concrete, coordinated approach to fieldwork. Discussions focused on how Polarstern and Amundsen could operate in a complementary and phased manner, aligning timing, sampling strategies, and geographic coverage to maximize scientific value while supporting shared research objectives.
Overall, the Calgary meeting demonstrated the role of Arctic Pulse as an enabling coordination mechanism, connecting partners, aligning plans, and supporting the development of a coherent, internationally coordinated research program. It marked a transition from concept to implementation, bringing together scientific priorities, Indigenous engagement, and operational planning into a shared pathway toward 2027. In this context, PAP-27 serves as a practical example of how international collaboration can be built step by step.
Taken together, this workshop series achieved three main outcomes. First, it established a clear and shared scientific direction focused on connectivity across Arctic systems. Second, it strengthened partnerships with Indigenous organizations, ensuring that research is relevant, inclusive, and grounded in regional priorities. Third, it advanced practical coordination for future fieldwork, particularly for the PAP-27 activities. More broadly, this work highlights an important takeaway for the Arctic research community. Progress does not come from isolated projects. It comes from connecting people, knowledge, and infrastructure over time. The Arctic Pulse PAP-27 process shows that this is possibleand that it leads to stronger, more meaningful science.
Highlights
- Highlight 1: A unifying scientific theme, land–ocean connectivity in the Beaufort Sea, was identified to guide coordinated, interdisciplinary Arctic research across physical, ecological, and human systems.
- Highlight 2: The workshops advanced planning for coordinated Polarstern–Amundsen research activities in 2027, including aligned sampling strategies and complementary ship operations to improve spatial and temporal coverage.
- Highlight 3: Strong emphasis was placed on Indigenous engagement, with Inuvialuit priorities and knowledge informing research design and leading to continued partnership-building through follow-up meetings in Inuvik.
Date and Location
Fall 2025 | Arctic Region, Canada
IASC Working Groups funding the project
- Marine WG
- Terrestrial WG
Project Lead
Julia Macpherson (University of Ottawa, Canada)
Jackie Dawson (University of Ottawa, Canada)
Year funded by IASC
2025