Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The W.S. Carlson International Polar Year Events (University of Delaware)  (Carlson IPY Events)

Outline
The University of Delaware (UD) has maintained a strong presence in cold-regions research since the 1940s, when William Samuel Carlson, a highly accomplished Arctic explorer, military strategist, and earth scientist, was named 20th President of the University. Carlson was a leader of two Greenland expeditions in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Colonel Carlson directed the Arctic, Desert, and Tropic Branch of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ Tactical Center during World War II, and played a prominent role in developing several military air transport routes through the Arctic. He authored many scientific and popular publications concerned with the Arctic, and was a founding member of the Arctic Institute of North America. The W. S. Carlson International Polar Year Events is a series of public lectures, seminars, exhibits, film series, poetry and literature readings, and other events focused on the polar regions. The project is sponsored jointly by the UD Center for International Studies, the UD Office of the Provost, all of UD’s seven Colleges, the UD Office of Public Relations, and the University of Delaware Library. The Carlson IPY Events is administered by a University-wide committee of faculty with polar interests. The Carlson IPY Events is part of an ongoing series sponsored by the Center for International Studies under the title UD and the Global Community. The Carlson IPY Events are co-sponsored by the American Geographical Society, the oldest professional geographical society in the United States. AGS sponsored many early voyages of polar exploration and played a substantial role in previous International Polar Years. The Carlson IPY Events include introductory receptions in the Spring and Fall 2008 semesters featuring a signing of the American Geographical Society’s Fliers’ and Explorers’ Globe (February) and an AGS Award Ceremony (September). Goals for the Carlson IPY Events include: (a) developing a strong sense of community among UD’s diffuse polar-oriented researchers and educators; (b) promotion of education about the polar regions in the State of Delaware and the surrounding region; (c) continuing and extending the American Geographical Society’s distinguished record of IPY involvements; and (d) creation of a basis of support for polar research in the State of Delaware through involvement of Delaware’s educational establishments, private foundations, and corporations.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We envisage heightened awareness in the University of Delaware and in the general population of the State of Delaware about the roles and importance of the polar regions in international affairs, world trade, and global change. The project will help to bring attention to the University of Delaware’s many contributions to polar research, both inside and beyond institutional boundaries, and will provide momentum for creation of a University-wide center for polar and cryospheric research.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The series will include speakers from outside the United States. Many UD polar research projects involve international collaboration

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Activities will occur primarily on the University of Delaware campus in Newark, DE, USA. Two “study-abroad” programs will also be affiliated with the Carlson IPY Events. The first is a study trip to Antarctica with focus on communications and photography (January/February 2008). The second trip is to northern parts of Scaandinavia and northeastern Russia, and will focus on international relations in the Arctic (June/July 2008).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: January-February 2008 and ongoing            
Antarctic: July-August 2008 and ongoing            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Logistics are arranged through the University of Delaware and involve lecture halls, accommodations, and related facilities. Arrangements for the study-abroad programs are handled by university personnel, operating in cooperation with commercial operators.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
We anticipate that a University-wide center for polar and cryospheric research will emerge at the University of Delaware as a consequence of the Carlson project.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

The project is sponsored jointly by the University of Delaware’s Center for International Studies, the UD Office of the Provost, UD’s seven Colleges, the UD Office of Public Relations, and the University of Delaware Library. The project is co-sponsored by the American Geographical Society.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Dr. Chris Elfring of the Polar Research Board (U.S. National Academies) has indicated support for the University of Delaware’s Carlson project.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?

The Carlson IPY Events were organized and funded to showcase polar research conceived and executed by University of Delaware personnel. As such, it is a new, autonomous project that draws together existing projects at the institution.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The Carlson IPY Events is planned and administered by a University-wide committee composed primarily of faculty members with polar interests. Activities are carried out in close consultation with the larger university community, particularly those involved in polar research and education about the polar regions.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The Carlson IPY Events includes an explicit component of outreach to Delaware’s elementary and secondary schools, and to the state’s general population. Activities include classroom presentations and involvements by Delaware teachers with polar experience. The project’s most publicized component, its public lectures, are advertised widely and are open to the public.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The project has no direct stake in data management, outside of maintaining a database of university personnel interested in polar research, and the research specialties of those individuals.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding has been provided by the University of Delaware administration

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Frederick Nelson
University of Delaware, Department of Geography
207 Pearson Hall
Newark
DE 19716
USA

Tel: 302 831 0852
Mobile:
Fax: 302 831 6654
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information