UK-Russia Arctic Science Links webinar series 2020-2021

The UK-Russia Arctic Science webinar series was aimed at facilitating practical links between UK-based Arctic researchers and Russia’s leading research institutions and connecting the UK Arctic science community to collaborative opportunities for future joint work across Russia despite the challenges of the pandemic. The webinar series is part of a long-standing programme of SIN-supported scientific exchanges and activities between UK and Russian Arctic research communities. Delivered jointly with multiple UK and Russian partners over the past three years, the programme has generated long-term collaborative projects, bilateral research networks, institutional partnerships involving top universities and institutes, an increase in joint publications and bespoke training opportunities for UK and Russian early career researchers.

The webinar series comprised four online events organised jointly with our partners: Yugra State University (Khanty-Mansiisk, Siberia), Tomsk State University (Tomsk, Siberia), Kola Science Centre (Apatity, the Murmansk region), and the Open Ocean Project & Association Maritime Heritage (St. Petersburg).

Each webinar was a unique opportunity to hear directly from leading researchers about ongoing and upcoming Arctic-related science projects, discover a new research institution, hear about local research facilities and opportunities for fieldwork, and learn more about Russia’s Arctic regions and what makes each of them a unique research environment.

The webinars were well-received by the research community and attracted a large audience, including early career scientists. In total around 320 people registered for the four events. A dedicated webpage was set up for each of the events with background info on the institutions and speakers and the recordings were made available online afterwards.

The webinars created time and space for UK and Russian researchers to explore opportunities for practical connections with new partners, participate in dynamic scientific discussions and engage in quality networking for future Arctic science cooperation. Discussions during the webinars demonstrated a clear mutual interest in strengthening science links further and helped research groups and institutions from both countries to establish direct channels of communication and map matching research priorities.

SIN Officers Contacts: Tatiana.Iakovleva@fcdo.gov.uk