Call for Papers
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Polar Science
SCAR/IASC IPY Open Science Conference
8-11 July 2008
St. Petersburg, Russia
Abstract Deadline: Friday, 15 February 2008
For further information, please go to:
http://www.scar-iasc-ipy2008.org/
Papers are invited for "The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Polar
Science" (session 5.4) being held at the Scientific Committee on
Antarctic Research (SCAR) / International Arctic Science Committee
(IASC) IPY Open Science Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, on 8-11
July 2008.
Session description:
Arctic Indigenous Peoples have inhabited the North for millennia. They
have sophisticated knowledge systems about the world around them that
support their culture, worldview, and the many intricate skills they
need to thrive in the Arctic. Their deep understanding of and intimate
relationship with the natural and physical environment present unique
vantage points for a holistic understanding of the Arctic. In the last
two decades, scientists have begun to recognize this knowledge.
Scientists are applying observations by indigenous individuals and
groups in their research, and many indigenous communities and scientists
are collaborating on specific research projects.
Bringing together indigenous and scientific knowledge is not always
easy. Basic research challenges include, but are not limited to,
questions of definition of indigenous knowledge, how to segregate
indigenous environmental knowledge, often referred to as TEK
(traditional ecological knowledge), and how to apply statistical
analysis and other reporting methods that would provide means for
comparison and integration with other scientific data.
The depth of indigenous knowledge provides fertile ground for
multidisciplinary collaboration. For example the International Polar
Year 2007-2008, the first IPY to bring arctic social science and
humanities into its scope, inspired several projects promising to
enhance our knowledge of different ways of knowing the Arctic and the
possible ways of linking the results.
Abstracts summarizing work, both applied and theoretical research,
related to the topics mentioned above are invited for consideration for
oral and/or poster presentation.
For more information, please contact the session co-chairs:
Shari Gearheard
NSIDC/CIRES
Phone: 1-867-924-6555
E-mail: shari.gearheard [at] nsidc.org
Victoria Gofman
Aleut International Association
Phone: 1-907-332-5388
E-mail: victoriag [at] alaska.net
To submit an abstract for this and other sessions, please go to:
http://www.scar-iasc-ipy2008.org/