Expanding the Field

Breaking the Ice Ceiling

In recent years, women researchers, scientists, and local champions have elevated their visibility and empowered their voices across the world. The Arctic is no exception. With powerful organizations like 500 Women Scientists and local movements like Women in Polar Science and Plan A growing their reach and impact, women are sharing their personal narratives, highlighting their contributions, and supporting each other like never before. The Arctic Institute’s Breaking the Arctic’s Ice Ceiling 2019 Series was our team’s contribution to this movement. In a series of commentaries, articles, and multimedia posts, The Arctic Institute was using our publishing platform to empower women working and living in the Arctic to share their stories.

Bringing People Together Virtually

The Breaking the Ice Ceiling webinar series aims to illuminate polar research by those who identify as women and to foster discussion on systemic change in polar sciences (Indigenous, natural, and social sciences) to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our series aimed to:

To illuminate polar research and achievements (past and present) by those who identify as women and those who were designated female but self-identify differently across all races and ethnicities to uncover lesser-known stories of women in polar science, historical and contemporary;
To foster discussion on systemic change in polar sciences (Indigenous, natural, and social sciences) to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion;
To weave connections and collaborations between many roles in a social change ecosystem in order to develop tools and methods to reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of women polar knowledge holders, researchers, and scientists; and
To create a space that values and incorporates Indigenous women’s oral histories and traditional knowledge as a fundamental component of scientific research.

Empower Arctic Youth

The future of the North will be determined by the choices, aspirations, and priorities of its youth. As leaders of tomorrow, Arctic youth face challenges of health, food security, education, and climate change.

The Youth Perspectives Series is a publishing platform for students to voice their opinions, share their experiences, and influence the debate about their homeland. The forum features articles, videos, illustrations, poems, and multimedia projects created by youth living in the Arctic on the issues that matter to them most. Hosted by The Arctic Institute, Youth Perspectives is produced in partnership with Students on Ice, Arctic Youth Ambassadors, and the Arctic Adaptation Exchange.

Check out our Youth Perspectives’ Publications here.

From the impacts of colonization to the essence of Inuit youth, check out these inspiring posts from the Arctic’s leaders of tomorrow.

If you are interested in being featured in the Breaking the Ice Ceiling initiative or a student living in the Arctic, or a youth organization, and are interested in publishing with us please reach out to Victoria Herrmann.