Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #46:Online Database of Circumpolar Community Profiles  (Online Database of Circumpolar Community Profiles)

Outline
The Online Database of Circumpolar Community Profiles is envisaged as a collection and dissemination gateway of community information (location, population, history, current situation, etc.). There are two ways this could be done: First, the public could be encouraged to contribute or submit information to the database, particularly during IPY07-08. Alternatively, the Database could draw on and contain existing community information available from a variety of governmental sources. Such a database would be exceptionally useful to a variety of users, including students in Circumpolar or Northern Studies, the public, researchers, etc.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Legacy, Education/Outreach and Communication are probably the main themes the database project supports. Such an online database of information could persist long after the conclusion of the IPY projects. It is a valuable resource; it would help build a sense of circumpolarity among northern peoples; it would be helpful in educating all people about circumpolar communities.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
None at the moment; this is a suggestion for a project that might or might not be thought of as a good or useful idea.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Data collection; no field work specifically envisaged for this project.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The database would need to be housed on servers somewhere; the database would need oversight and maintenance (the intensity would depend upon where the data came from and in what form it is submitted).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Not really, except for the servers, which might have to be purchased. It would leave a legacy of knowledge, though. That might even be better.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium

Not sure.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: THEME: Educ, Out & Comm SUB-THEME: Ref tools & Matls

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?

It could be a component of University of the Arctic activities; it could also stand alone.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Uncertain at this point.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project is entirely devoted to education/outreach. An online database of circumpolar community information would be an invaluable resource for any organization working in and teaching about the Circumpolar World.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
None so far.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Uncertain at this point.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The University of the Arctic has raised the profile of Circumpolar Studies and is actively pursuing a program of encouraging the adoption of its core courses at member institutions. Professors and instructors, students and the public will need a resource of this nature to do this work. The IPY programme needs ways to involve people in its work. Contributing information pages to this database could be a project for schoolchildren as well as researchers working on other IPY projects.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ms Amanda Graham
PO Box 2799
500 College Drive
Whitehorse, YT
Y1A 5K4
Canada

Tel: 867-668-8773
Mobile:
Fax: 867-668-8805
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information