Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Polar Science Café – A meeting between polar research and the public focusing on research in man and environment in arctic regions. (the IPY themes)  (Polar Science Café)

Outline
The objective of Polar Science Café project is to create a public forum for debate, based in the experience of Science Café Copenhagen. We wish to disseminate and mediate information on scientific issues related to arctic and Antarctic research, as well as to discuss their impact in a broader societal context. Having said so, we do not believe that such communication can be effectively carried out through didactic lectures to a wider clientele of – already – interested people. The underpinning concept of the Science Café is that knowledge dissemination and mediation should reach a broad public, which involves reciprocal commitment. This is achieved through genuine face to face dialogues between experts and the lay public, in an unprejudiced and civilised tone. Science Cafés are democratic by nature and therefore are accessible to everybody. Consequently, there is no admission fee.The framework for these exchanges is non partisan and interdisciplinary. Science Cafés events are held at a café which provides an informal and intimate venue, thus stimulating spontaneous dialogue between arctic research experts and the audience in a relaxed atmosphere. Expert panels are typically composed of representatives of the natural and social sciences, humanities, art, and culture.A successful Science Café discussion contributes to bridging science and society. On the one hand, the Science Café brings knowledge of science to the fields of art and culture. On the other hand, the Science Café contributes to making societal, cultural, and artistic issues more integrated into scientific practice.We want to cooperate on this project with Danish Polar Centre and related partners in Greenland. Too, we intend to bring this IPY activity to our sister organisations in France and UK.App. 4-6 café meetings will be organized through the IPY

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Polar research can be informed to the public, central key problems in present polar research can be discussed: environmental impact on arctic and Antarctic regions, societal changes in the arctic, new technologies needed for future exploration in the polar regions, the climate changes and the impact on people and physical environment in the polar regions.Too we would like to prioritize a possible meeting between scientific disciplines, artists from arctic areas and the public.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Science Café – European branches

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Denmark – Copenhagen, Aarhus, AalborgGreenland – NuukFrance – ParisUK -London

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Only meeting facilities

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
If successful a tradition for science information gatherings could be formed in ex. Nuuk, Greenland, stimulatin a broader cooperation between national and international science and culture.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
NO

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?
YES
Further details – Polar Science Café will be organized into the experienced structure of Science Café in Denmark.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The activity will consist of a number of Science cafés in Denmark, some in Greenland and in the European countries where Science Café is present (France, UK ect.) Fokus on the arrangements will be discussion of subjects relevant to IPY themes: Climatic changes, impact of environment on social structures and humans in the arctic region, state of present research in polar regions, polar regions as laboratories for understanding other extreme environments ect.The meetings will be organized as a combination of information, discussion between invited speakers and a debate among speakers and audience.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project is a outreach project for scientific research in the arctic regions in connection to the 3 main themes elected by the Danish National Comitee.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Private and public funds, commercial sponsors (arctic contractors)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Science Café book enclosed.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Cand. Mag. PhD. Gert Balling
The Science Café, Copenhagen
Ved Lindevangen 32, 2
2000 Frederiksberg
Denmark

Tel: +45 38865538
Mobile:
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Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information