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The changing polar environments have created important scientific and societal concerns in the polar regions. In this session, we will share effective approaches, frameworks and examples of how to promote a broad understanding and awareness of the changing Arctic and related societal implications for the region and beyond. The session will highlight effective strategies to inspire communities and learners in both formal and informal learning contexts. We also invite papers on effective ways of engaging communities, co-designing educational and outreach activities, and fostering intergenerational or cross-cultural learning through Arctic Indigenous knowledge, science, and observations.

The changing polar environments have created important scientific and societal concerns in the polar regions. In this session, we will share effective approaches, frameworks and examples of how to promote a broad understanding and awareness of the changing Arctic and related societal implications for the region and beyond. The session will highlight effective strategies to inspire communities and learners in both formal and informal learning contexts. We also invite papers on effective ways of engaging communities, co-designing educational and outreach activities, and fostering intergenerational or cross-cultural learning through Arctic Indigenous knowledge, science, and observations.

Co-creation of knowledge is a process driven by community needs and priorities, encompassing values, imagination, and inspirations with the outcomes expanded beyond merely scientific results. It is necessary for a better understanding of place-based processes amid rapid change, meaningful engagement of researchers with communities, stakeholders, and rightsholders to create actionable science. This session invites scholars and practitioners to share their experience and identify good practices of collaboration in identification of research needs, alignment of community priorities and scholarly expertise, engagement through project implementation, finding solutions, and making decisions for collective benefit. Of particular interest are the methods of participatory research, convergence of different ways of knowing, and addressing power balances. We encourage submissions that discuss work in progress, successes and failures, and how we can overcome obstacles together. The session is intended to learn from Indigenous and local communities across Alaska, the Arctic, and other regions worldwide.

Co-creation of knowledge is a process driven by community needs and priorities, encompassing values, imagination, and inspirations with the outcomes expanded beyond merely scientific results. It is necessary for a better understanding of place-based processes amid rapid change, meaningful engagement of researchers with communities, stakeholders, and rightsholders to create actionable science. This session invites scholars and practitioners to share their experience and identify good practices of collaboration in identification of research needs, alignment of community priorities and scholarly expertise, engagement through project implementation, finding solutions, and making decisions for collective benefit. Of particular interest are the methods of participatory research, convergence of different ways of knowing, and addressing power balances. We encourage submissions that discuss work in progress, successes and failures, and how we can overcome obstacles together. The session is intended to learn from Indigenous and local communities across Alaska, the Arctic, and other regions worldwide.

Co-creation of knowledge is a process driven by community needs and priorities, encompassing values, imagination, and inspirations with the outcomes expanded beyond merely scientific results. It is necessary for a better understanding of place-based processes amid rapid change, meaningful engagement of researchers with communities, stakeholders, and rightsholders to create actionable science. This session invites scholars and practitioners to share their experience and identify good practices of collaboration in identification of research needs, alignment of community priorities and scholarly expertise, engagement through project implementation, finding solutions, and making decisions for collective benefit. Of particular interest are the methods of participatory research, convergence of different ways of knowing, and addressing power balances. We encourage submissions that discuss work in progress, successes and failures, and how we can overcome obstacles together. The session is intended to learn from Indigenous and local communities across Alaska, the Arctic, and other regions worldwide. 

The registration deadline for the 2026 NNA Annual Community Meeting has been extended to Sunday, August 23 at 11:59pm MT. 

The Fostering Indigenous-led Research (FILR) Convergence Working Group (CWG) is one of three Convergence Working Groups that the NNA-CO supported from June 2023 to May 2025. The FILR group focused on what Indigenous-led research is now, what it can look like, and next steps to creating research that is Indigenous-led. One of the final products of the FILR CWG is a podcast mini-series, of which this is the fifth and final episode. This episode is hosted by host Dr. Anamaq Margaret Rudolf with guests Mary Beth Jäger and Dr. Cana Uluak Itchuaqiyaq. 

The NNA Community Office invites you to submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentation at the 2026 NNA Annual Community Meeting. We encourage submissions across career stages and disciplines to share your work. Please fill out this form by July 31, 2026 at 11:59pm MT to be considered. You may view sessions accepting abstracts here.

Launching in late summer/fall 2026, the NNA Early Career Community of Practice for Ethical Engagement with Arctic Communities is a program for early career researchers working in or connected to the Arctic. Organized by the Navigating the New Arctic Community Office, with support from the Polar Science Early Career Community Office, this cohort-based program creates space to learn, connect, and grow together.

This Community of Practice is centered on exploring how to conduct community-engaged Arctic research thoughtfully, effectively, and ethically. Participants will learn from one another’s experiences while engaging with the principles of convergence research—addressing complex societal challenges through deep, interdisciplinary collaboration. The program is open to those with interests and experiences related to any Arctic region, including Alaska and beyond. This program is open to early career individuals within and outside of traditional academic environments, including those who may have more lived experiences in working with communities, rather than formal training. While the program will draw on lessons from the Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) initiative, no prior NNA involvement is required to participate.

The cohort will help shape its own learning journey; discussion topics and areas of focus will be driven by participant interests, with opportunities to lead conversations, contribute to peer learning, and take on shared leadership roles. The program will also build connections to the upcoming 5th International Polar Year and offer a supportive network during a time of global and funding-related challenges.

Participation & Engagement Expectations

Participants are expected to actively contribute to the cohort experience through regular engagement and peer leadership. This includes:

• Attending twice-monthly virtual cohort sessions (with seasonal breaks in winter and summer)
• Co-leading at least one discussion or activity during the program
• Contributing to a collaborative, supportive learning environment
• Participants will be asked to engage for a minimum of one year, and welcomed to continue engaging in the community of practice for as long as they find it useful

This program is open to early career researchers.

Apply using this form by July 31, 2026 at 11:59pm MT (decisions to be announced in August).

Abstract submissions are now open for AGU 2026. The following three sessions, led by the NNA-CO, are now accepting abstracts: ED004 - Arctic Education & Outreach - Effective Ways of Engaging Diverse Learners in Arctic Science, C007 - Convergence Research in the Arctic: Applying Ethical Data Practices to Create Research Products for Collective Benefit, and SY010 - Co-creation of Knowledge for Actionable Science: Good Practices and Emerging Methodologies. Abstract submissions are due August 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET.