Dear PYRN Members,

As you know, the Ninth International Conference on Permafrost (NICOP) will take place in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA 29 June – 3 July, 2008. NICOP presents excellent opportunities for young researchers, and PYRN is developing activities/events to enhance our visibility as a group and facilitate individual participation for our membership. Here is a list of what we’re planning, with more detailed synopses below:

1) PYRN Social & Mixer

Tuesday, July 1 ~6:30PM

(probably at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus Pub)

2) PYRN Award

3) Field Trip Volunteers

4) PYRN Panel Discussion

Careers in Permafrost Science: Research and Trajectories Since the 1950s

(tentatively) Tuesday, July 1, afternoon session

5) PYRN National Representatives Meeting (UAF campus: room and time TBA)

There are currently five PYRN members interacting with the NICOP Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to help plan and schedule these activities. If you have any questions or would like to participate in planning/running any of these events, we would like to hear from you.

We are:

Andrew Balser (UAF) andrew.balser at uaf.edu

Katey Walter (UAF) ftkmw1 at uaf.edu

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1) PYRN Social & Mixer

Tuesday, July 1, 2008, ~6:30PM, UAF Campus Pub

Here is a chance to meet researchers from around the world – young and senior alike. Get to know people from far and wide, or catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. ICOPs only happen every five years – it’s a great reason to celebrate. Beer and wine will be available, and the company will be first rate – after all, it’s a PYRN event. (The UAF Pub is central to the Conference venue at UAF; within walking distance for those staying on or near campus).

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2) PYRN Award

PYRN members are doing incredible research on a broad spectrum of topics, and the PYRN Award will provide additional visibility, recognition and funds to the best submission by a Young Researcher. To be considered, you must complete the PYRN Award submission form through the NICOP registration page before September 1, 2007. (http://www.nicop.org/pyrn.html)

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3) Field Trip Volunteers

There are currently seven extended field trips scheduled immediately before/after NICOP – six in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, and one in Colorado. In addition, there are a number of local field trips planned during the conference. These are good opportunities to volunteer, and to interact with other researchers in the field. Each trip is being organized by a specific trip leader, and these leaders will decide what opportunities exist for volunteer roles. The NICOP website has information on each trip, and contact information for the trip leaders (http://www.nicop.org/fieldtrips.html). Since the trips are planned separately, trip leaders should be contacted individually to inquire about possible volunteer roles. We can help by providing additional context and background on PYRN, introducing potential volunteers to trip leaders, and possibly by exploring options to handle costs that may arise. If you would like assistance in making an inquiry, please feel free to contact us.

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4) PYRN Panel Discussion

Careers in Permafrost Science: Research and Trajectories from IGY to IPY (1957 – 2007)

Tuesday, July 1, afternoon session (schedule is tentative)

One of PYRN’s primary functions is to help early career scientists and students better interact with their colleagues and with senior scientists. The purpose of this panel is to ‘break the ice’ and help generate conversation among those who know the field best: senior scientists, and those who could benefit most from their experience and perspective: young researchers and students. The panel will consist of 4 to 6 senior scientists, with careers ranging back to (hopefully) the 1950s. We’ll use their past and current research as a platform to explore permafrost science overall, and how past trends have influenced current trajectories. We plan to include presentations by panelists as well as an ample question and answer period. This panel, coupled with the PYRN social event, will help foster interactions early during the conference so PYRN members can follow up and expand on these contacts throughout the conference.

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5) PYRN National Representatives Meeting

Time/Date to be determined

PYRN will be two and a half years old at NICOP - Join us to shape PYRN’s future.

We will meet to discuss the process of PYRN’s creation, to review its activities since inception, and to set the orientation for the next five years. PYRN has now reached a critical size (over 350 members) and we need to refine the scope of the network, its role in permafrost science and its relations to other young researcher activities initiated for the IPY.

More announcements will follow through the year as NICOP plans take shape.

Regards,
Andrew