The 2015 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report “A Strategic Vision for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research” made the following key recommendations:
NSF should continue to support a core program of broad-based, investigator-driven research and actively look for opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve coordination and data sharing among independent studies.
NSF should pursue the following as strategic priorities in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research for the coming decade:
- How fast and by how much will sea level rise? The Changing Antarctic Ice Sheets Initiative
- How do Antarctic biota evolve and adapt to the changing environment? Decoding the genomic and transcriptomic bases of biological adaptation and response across Antarctic organisms and ecosystems.
- How did the universe begin and what are the underlying physical laws that govern its evolution and ultimate fate? A next-generation cosmic microwave background program.
In this new study, NASEM will appoint an ad hoc committee to:
- Assess progress in addressing research goals outlined in the 2015 report, and
- Identify significant recent advances in scientific understanding and/or technical capabilities (e.g., observational, analytical, computational) that present important new opportunities for progress in addressing the mission of NSF’s Antarctic Sciences Section.
In addition, for the three priority research topics in particular, the committee will:
- Address any current implementation challenges in advancing these research areas.
- Suggest strategies to overcome these implementation challenges
The study will be carried out by a committee of approximately 8-10 volunteer experts in areas including, but not limited, to:
- cryosphere science;
- oceanic, atmospheric, and climate sciences;
- biology and life sciences; and
- polar-based astrophysics
We encourage the nomination of members of historically underrepresented groups, including women, young professionals (age 35 and younger), and members of minority groups.We invite you to submit nominations for committee members and/or reviewers for this study by July 24, 2020.
Contact information:
Name: Stephanie Johnson
Email: sjohnson@nas.edu
Phone: 202-334-3385