IMPRESSIVE DELEGATION OF INQ RESEARCHERS AT 2017 ARCTIC CIRCLE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
The Government of Québec and Institut nordique du Québec were in attendance at the 5th annual assembly of the Arctic Circle in Reykjavik, Iceland, from October 12 to 15.
Institut nordique du Québec (INQ), Société du Plan Nord, and Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie (MRIF) took part in the conference that attracted over 2,000 attendees from fifty countries who engaged in productive talks on the issues facing northern and Arctic territories.
Together, the Quebec delegation organized two major events, the first on the challenges of sustainable development in the North, and the second on the role of federated states in Arctic governance. In examining the theme of the scientific challenges of northern development, the first event adopted an original format whereby a Quebec expert and an international expert each took turns presenting an overview of a particular development challenge. This format led to fascinating discussions on such scientific challenges as energy, biofood, and environmental protection.
The seminar was also an occasion for Robert Sauvé, CEO of Société du Plan Nord, to talk about his organization's achievements over the past year. Louis Fortier, INQ's science and innovation director, held the audience's attention with his speech explaining the scope of the efforts required by countries to produce fully renewable energy.
The round table on the role of the federated states in Arctic governance was an opportunity for the speakers from Quebec, Alaska, and Lapland to reaffirm the importance of these actors in the governance of the Arctic, despite the fact their role is not always recognized by the central states.
These two seminars featured, for the first time, the three research chairholders at INQ's partner institutions: Jasmin Raymond of Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Murray Humphries from McGill University, and Thierry Rodon from Université Laval. They captured the interest of attendees with presentations of their work on new energies, food security, and Arctic governance, respectively. Adamie Delisle Alaku of the Makivik Corporation, another INQ partner, addressed the issue of environmental protection.
Quebec also distinguished itself at the My Northern Project competition co-organized by Institut nordique de Québec, Fonds de recherche du Québec, and European organization NordFosk. Twelve doctoral students, including six from Quebec, each defended their northern research project in a five-minute presentation. The People's Choice award went to Gwyneth Anne MacMillan from Université de Montréal for her project Not that rare after all! Rare earth elements in Arctic terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
The Quebec delegation also consisted of some twenty university and government representatives, including Jean Lemire, the Government of Quebec's new emissary for climate change and northern issues, and Éric Théroux, assistant deputy minister of Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie.
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PRODUCTIVE MEETING BETWEEN QUEBEC AND ICELANDIC RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS ON ARCTIC ENERGY CHALLENGES
On October 12, a forum on the energy challenges of the Arctic was held at Reykjavik University as a side event to the Arctic Circle Assembly. The forum was an initiative of Reykjavik University and Institut national de la recherche scientifique, and was supported by the Icelandic Meteorological Office, Landsvirkjun, Université Laval, and Hydro-Québec in the wake of an international cooperation agreement between Iceland and Quebec. The day kicked off with a word of welcome from Reykjavik University rector Dr. Ari Kristinn Jónsson, who presented his institution's vision, which focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship. Robert Sauvé, CEO of Société du Plan Nord, then described the sustainable development project that Quebec has put forth for its northern territory, including the implementation of renewable energies. His speech was followed by presentations by professors, researchers, and students from Iceland and Quebec. Institut nordique du Québec would like to thank Reykjavik University and Professor Juliet Newson for organizing this wonderful event that provided an opportunity for Icelanders and Quebecers alike to reflect together on energy solutions for the future.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO GWYNETH ANNE MACMILLAN!
GRAND WINNER OF THE MY NORTHERN PROJECT COMPETITION
The final selection was made on October 14 in the My Northern Project competition—a joint initiative of Institut nordique du Québec, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT), and NordForsk. On the occasion of the 5th Annual Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, six students from Northern Europe and six from Quebec took up the difficult challenge of presenting a five-minute summary of their thesis in layperson's terms. The event was a big hit with the audience, attracting a crowd of nearly one hundred, who listened attentively to this next generation of researchers passionately describe their latest northern or Arctic research. Their presentations revealed an astonishing diversity of expertise in fields ranging from social sciences, healthcare, and marine and terrestrial ecosystems to natural resources. The members of the audience, who hailed from all four corners of the world and all walks of life, were invited to vote for the best presentation. The "People's Choice" award went to Gwyneth Anne MacMillan, a PhD candidate in biology at Université de Montréal, for her presentation entitled "Not that rare after all! Rare earth elements in Arctic terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems." Congratulations to all for their excellent presentations!
On the picture: The 12 doctoral students who took part in the My Northern Project competition, six of whom where from Northern European countries and six from Quebec. Our winner, Gwyneth Anne MacMillan, is second from the right in the back row. On the far right in the back row is Canada's ambassador to Iceland, Anne-Tamara Lorre, who attended the students' presentations.
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END OF CONSULTATIONS FOR RESEARCH GUIDELINES
On August 30, the First Peoples Working Group launched its consultations for the guidelines on northern research. This reference document is designed for researchers and students associated with INQ, but can also serve as a guide for good practices for any researchers interested in northern and Arctic environments.
The consultations have now wrapped up, and INQ and the First Peoples Working Group wish to thank all those who shared their comments. Your comments will help enrich these guidelines, which we hope will serve as a cornerstone for scientific research in Northern Quebec.
The document can be consulted in English and French on the INQ website. Be sure to give it a read!
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61th SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT FORUM
UNDER THE THEME OF THE NGCC AMUNDSEN
On November 8, the 61th Science Environment Forum was held under the theme of the NGCC Amundsen: scientific exploration of an exotic world. 270 people attended the event hosted by Dave Berryman, from the Ministère du Développement durable, Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatiques. Numerous INQ researchers participated in the event, including Louis Fortier, INQ’s science and innovation director, Jean-Éric Tremblay, biology professor at Université Laval, Martine Lizotte, research professional at Université Laval, Philippe Archambault, biology professor at Université Laval, Marcel Babin, Canada Excellence Research Chair Remote Sensing of Canada New Arctic Frontier, and Pierre Ayotte, full professor at the department of social and preventive medicine at Université Laval.
The forum also allowed for 15 research professionals, master and doctoral students to present their results during a poster session. Five research centers, in addition to the INQ, held also a stand: ArcticNet, Amundsen Science, Sentinelle Nord, Quebec-Ocean and Takuvik. 150 students from the school Joseph-François Perreault visited the stands and read the posters.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMING NOW AVAILABLE
2016–2017 was a busy year for INQ! Feel free to consult the annual report to learn more about the various activities that took place over the past year. And while you're there, why not consult the full research program detailing the challenges, objectives, and spinoffs of the INQ's five research priorities.
The annual report (in English and French) and the scientific programming (in French only for the moment) are available on the INQ website.
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LAUNCH OF NORTHERN QUEBEC MOOC: ISSUES, SPACES AND CULTURES
October 10, 2017, marked the launch of the English version of the Northern Quebec MOOC: Issues, Spaces and Cultures. This is the first English edition of the MOOC, and over 700 people have signed up. The course is designed for anyone who wishes to learn more about the area, and introduces students to the social and political issues of Northern Québec—the ancestral homeland of a number of Indigenous nations. The MOOC will provide participants a better understanding of the cultures of northern populations, the place the North occupies in the collective imagination, its sociopolitical development, and the various visions for development of the territory. The second French edition of the Northern Quebec MOOC is set to begin in February 2018. Registration is already open for the new edition on the Université Laval website.
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SENTINEL NORTH INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC FIELD SCHOOL AND GRANT
Université Laval's Sentinel North program has launched an innovative training strategy to encourage the next generation of scientists, including numerous master's and PhD grants, international field schools, and an extensive program of transdisciplinary training activities.
For instance, the International Arctic Field School (IAFS) offers students a unique opportunity to interact with high-profile scientists, northerners, and decision-makers as part of a transdisciplinary training program that addresses the changing Arctic cryosphere. Taking place in Iqaluit, Canada, in March 2018, the school will provide participants the chance to get hands-on experience in a wide range of disciplines including optics/photonics, Arctic ecology, chemistry, geology, and human health. Mobility grants for student internships (two to six months) are also available.
For more information on Sentinel North's training programs, go to https://www.ulaval.ca/en/sentinel-north/training-programs.html
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITES
- Intercultural Indigenous Workshop: Sharing Perspectives and Experience of Research in Canada's North, November 16 and 17, McGill University.
- 7th Ouranos Symposium, November 15 to 17, Montréal.
- Native Speakers Luncheon - Chemin des mille rêves - Dr Stanley Vollant, le 17 November 2017, UQAT, Val-d'Or.
- Arctic Change 2017, December 11 to 15, 2017, Quebec City Convention Centre.
- Arctic Frontiers, January 23 to 25, 2018, Tromsø, Norway.
- Launch of the second French edition of the Northern Quebec MOOC, February 28, 2018.
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