Researchers who are leading or starting a career in science and who are linked to the Arctic or Antarctic, meet in Paris in early May. In the spotlight, the polar adventure as seen by the sciences and its history during a series of conferences open to the public.
The level of the Seine may rise a few meters between May 3 and 5 this year, this time for a good cause. Paris will welcome a wave of scientists specialized in polar environments on the quays, more precisely at the Climate Academy. This former city hall of the 4th district will open its doors for three days of conferences open to the public. The event is free withregistration. About a hundred researchers of all ages and disciplines will come to share their discoveries and their questions about the poles.
Scientists will arrive from all over France, even from overseas or from abroad if their agendas coincide with a visit to the mainland. This annual effervescence will demonstrate once again, in the flesh, that the French-speaking world is anchored in the history of the poles, within an international momentum.
The French National Committee for Arctic and Antarctic Research (CNFRAA), which organizes this event every year, is celebrating its 65th anniversary. “For example, we represent France on the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), where the international research strategy is discussed,” explains Anne Choquet, a lawyer specializing in polar law at the University of Western French Brittany.
A special evening, also open to the general public, will immerse listeners in the history of polar research. “We found a letter from Paul-Émile Victor to the president of the CNFRAA after he returned from a meeting with General Charles de Gaulle, who had just assured him of his support for the Adélie Land in 1961,” explains Anne Choquet.
The polar science day provides a link between generations. Confirmed researchers and young people will take turns to speak. “With the Roland Schlich Prize, we encourage young people to present their work, and we make sure that the presentations are educational and serious,” says the president.
As in the previous year, the Association of Young Polar Scientists (APECS-France) will award the best poster to encourage young people to communicate concisely and accurately about their work. Coline Marciau, a doctoral student specializing in Adélie penguins, secretary of CNFRAA and communicator for APECS, confides to us: “It’s a friendly atmosphere, we come to share information, our networks, these are special places that we study, it allows us to have an overview and to get out of our fields of expertise.”
Camille Lin, Polar Journal
Note from the editor:
Faced with the challenges of global warming, the opening of the Arctic, the loss of biodiversity … the dissemination of knowledge could be crucial. We will participate in these days so that each expert in a specific field can enlighten the citizen, the decision-maker or the curious about his or her scientific path, unraveling the mysteries of the functioning of the poles or shedding light on the issues at work in these territories.
We will provide scientists with the keys to better address the general public and the media in a lecture and hands-on two hours workshop. We look forward to seeing you there.
Learn more about this topic:
Program and links to registration
