Science Diplomacy to support UK Arctic scientists in their work with Arctic partners
Summary:
The rapidly changing Arctic environment has both local and global impacts - what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. In addition to its crucial role in our scientific understanding of environmental tipping points, the Arctic is strategically important to the UK's interests across a range of foreign and security policy objectives as set out in our Arctic Policy Framework and outlined in the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. The UK Arctic Science community is among the strongest in the world. Our Arctic science capabilities are a major asset, allowing us to contribute significantly to the local and global effects of a changing Arctic environment, thus feeding into Arctic governance. As a non-Arctic state, we naturally rely on collaboration with our Arctic neighbours. The Science and Innovation Network (SIN) Network supports these efforts through a range of collaborative initiatives at the intersection between science and diplomacy.
Strong UK tradition for Arctic science
The UK has a thriving Arctic science ecosystem contributing greatly to the global understanding of the state of the Arctic. Our Arctic science capabilities span across thematic areas from the use of artificial intelligence for monitoring ice coverage, the impact of receding permafrost on the built environment, health impact of Arctic pollutants, physical oceanography, benthic biology, and satellite-based monitoring of large mammals to in-depth analyses of how the changing environment of the Arctic affects physical and biological properties of the Arctic and its peoples.
Arctic governance and science diplomacy
Across the Arctic, there is a strong focus on shaping scientific practices towards fostering lasting, equitable partnerships, anchored with and benefitting local and indigenous communities, replacing old practices of fly-in, fly-out research. In addition, we see increased interest from our scientific community in making sure scientific findings contribute to existing mechanisms for evidence-based decision making. There is a clear role hear for science diplomacy in supporting our scientific community to remain a trusted partner across the Arctic, working in concert with local guidelines, and making sure scientific findings feed into Arctic governance.
Delivery: UK Arctic science partnerships
During 2023-2025, the Tactical Fund from the UK Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology supports several Arctic science projects, delivered by SIN Denmark in close collaboration with the NERC Arctic Office and working with partners across the Arctic:
- UK-Greenland Arctic Science Bursaries [2023 to 2025]
- UK-Iceland Arctic Science Bursaries [2024 to 2025]
- UK-Arctic Council Working Groups Engagement Scheme [2024 to 2025]
Overall, these projects aim to build new partnerships and support UK Arctic scientists in their delivery of important scientific insights contributing to our global understanding of the Arctic.
Examples of SIN engagement includes:
- working with UK and Arctic partners to develop concepts for potential partnerships
- securing funding, drafting calls for research proposals, promoting the opportunities, hosting online networking events with UK and international partners, organising selection committees
- conceptualising, bidding for, organising and hosting UK events at key Arctic conferences
- supporting delegations [scientists, senior officials, ministers] to key Arctic conferences
- supporting communication, dissemination and outreach related to the collaborations
- staying up to date on scientific guidelines across the Arctic and integrating with UK policy priorities
Impact: Shaping collaboration across the Arctic
Through this approach, we have strengthened our ties with our collaborators across the Arctic and delivered continuous engagement at key Arctic conferences, showing consistency in sustained UK commitment to Arctic collaboration.
Examples of concrete impacts include:
- supporting 58 new collaborations [26 projects with Greenland 2023-2025, 21 projects with Iceland 2024 to 2025, and 11 projects with the Arctic Council Working Groups 2024 to 2025]
- signing Arctic Science Partnership MoU with Iceland to deliver joint projects funded by the Tactical Fund with co-funding from Rannís, the Icelandic Centre for Research
- showcasing UK Arctic science through SIN-hosted plenary sessions, side events and receptions, and supporting delegations of ministers and scientists to key Arctic events, including:
- Arctic Circle Assembly, Reykjavik, Oct 2023.
- Greenland Science Week, Nuuk, Nov 2023.
- Arctic Frontiers, Tromsø, Jan 2024.
- Arctic Science Summit Week, Edinburgh, March 2024.
- Arctic Circle Forum, Berlin, May 2024.
Next steps:
SIN Denmark will continue to support the delivery of ongoing projects through SIN-hosted conference sessions, science diplomacy events around Arctic research vessels, delegations to key conferences, and communication and public dissemination of research findings from the joint projects. Building on the connections made through these projects, we are exploring opportunities for sustained collaboration to support our science communities and partners across the Arctic.
