From concept to action: Driving impact through responsible research practices in the International Polar Year 2032–2033 An early career perspective
11 affiliations
- 1School of Geography and Natural Science, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- 2Training, U.K. Polar Network, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- 3Earth Observation, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Troms, Norway
- 4Leadership, APECS Argentina, San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
- 5UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- 6APECS RISE Working Group, APECS International, Tromsø, Troms, Norway
- 7Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- 8Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, Canada
- 9Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- 10Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
- 11Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
Abstract
Regions at the poles are warming at rates two to four times higher than the global average, driving profound environmental, societal, and geopolitical changes. As Polar Early Career Researchers with careers extending into and beyond the 5th International Polar Year in 2032–2033, we have a responsibility to shape research practices that are impactful, ethical, and sustainable. We argue that current definitions of research impact often prioritize narrow, quantifiable metrics, overlooking cultural, environmental, and long-term consequences. Building on interdisciplinary workshops held in 2025 at the Polar Early Career World Summit (USA) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK), this paper redefines research impact for polar science and presents tangible action for integrating responsible practices ahead of the next IPY. We outline priorities across three levels: 1) individual researchers, who should practice reflexivity, promote interdisciplinarity, and implement environmentally responsible methods; 2) regional and national institutions, which must provide equitable funding, training, and inclusive protocols; 3) international IPY planning bodies, which should strengthen communication, publish guidelines, and implement regulations to prevent exploitative practices. Our call to action emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and improved impact evaluation frameworks to ensure that polar research delivers societal and environmental benefits while minimizing unintended consequences. This vision begins now and extends beyond the IPY, offering a roadmap for responsible polar science.
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BibTeX
@article{hartharnevans2026from,
title = {{From concept to action: Driving impact through responsible research practices in the International Polar Year 2032–2033 An early career perspective}},
author = {Samuel G. Hartharn-Evans and Chloe Nunn and Amy Macfarlane and Natalia Banega and Anna Belcher and Radiance Calmer and Svenja Holste and Louise Mercer and Ningning Sun and M. A. J. van Soest and Zoe Wright},
journal = {PLOS Climate},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pclm.0001062},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0001062},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From concept to action: Driving impact through responsible research practices in the International Polar Year 2032–2033 An early career perspective
AU - Samuel G. Hartharn-Evans
AU - Chloe Nunn
AU - Amy Macfarlane
AU - Natalia Banega
AU - Anna Belcher
AU - Radiance Calmer
AU - Svenja Holste
AU - Louise Mercer
AU - Ningning Sun
AU - M. A. J. van Soest
AU - Zoe Wright
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - PLOS Climate
DO - 10.1371/journal.pclm.0001062
UR - https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0001062
AB - Regions at the poles are warming at rates two to four times higher than the global average, driving profound environmental, societal, and geopolitical changes. As Polar Early Career Researchers with careers extending into and beyond the 5th International Polar Year in 2032–2033, we have a responsibility to shape research practices that are impactful, ethical, and sustainable. We argue that current definitions of research impact often prioritize narrow, quantifiable metrics, overlooking cultural, environmental, and long-term consequences. Building on interdisciplinary workshops held in 2025 at the Polar Early Career World Summit (USA) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK), this paper redefines research impact for polar science and presents tangible action for integrating responsible practices ahead of the next IPY. We outline priorities across three levels: 1) individual researchers, who should practice reflexivity, promote interdisciplinarity, and implement environmentally responsible methods; 2) regional and national institutions, which must provide equitable funding, training, and inclusive protocols; 3) international IPY planning bodies, which should strengthen communication, publish guidelines, and implement regulations to prevent exploitative practices. Our call to action emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and improved impact evaluation frameworks to ensure that polar research delivers societal and environmental benefits while minimizing unintended consequences. This vision begins now and extends beyond the IPY, offering a roadmap for responsible polar science.
SN - 2767-3200
ER -