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Arctic Science Summit Week press program available

March 8, 2016

Kristin Timm
907-474-7064

More than 1,000 people representing 30 nations will convene in Fairbanks, Alaska, March 9-18, 2016, for several meetings of international Arctic scientists, stakeholders, students and policymakers. Journalists are encouraged to participate in person and virtually to learn about the physical state of the Arctic and evolving policy decisions that are important in the region and beyond.

Complimentary media registration is available during the Arctic Science Summit Week, Arctic Observing Summit, Model Arctic Council and International Arctic Assembly Day. The program includes more than 100 meetings and sessions, covering many subjects, including Arctic sea ice, walrus, industry and development, community resilience and adaptation, data management, suicide, natural hazards, snow cover, air pollution, and how the people of the Arctic, scientists and policymakers should work together to respond to rapid change in the Arctic.

Many of the world’s experts in Arctic science and Alaska, U.S. and international leaders in Arctic policy will attend throughout the week. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska will kick off the meeting with welcome remarks at 6 p.m. on March 11 at the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

Press briefings throughout the week will give journalists an opportunity to learn the state of the science, meet experts and ask questions. The briefings will be held in Room 104 of the Chapman Building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and via live webcast at bit.ly/arcticnewsbriefing. Journalists accessing the briefings online will be able to ask questions via a chat window on the webcast page.

Press briefing subjects include:


  • How the Arctic affects the rest of the world
    March 14 — 10 a.m. to noon

  • Arctic policy
    March 15 — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • The winter of 2015-2016 in context
    March 16 — 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Climate change and adaptation
    March 17 — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

  • Carbon balance in the Arctic
    March 17 — 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Ambassador David Balton media availability
    March 18 — 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Climate and Arctic/sub-Arctic oceans
    March 18 — 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.


More information and the names of press briefing speakers are listed online at https://assw2016.org/news/media. The site also includes information about the Arctic Science Summit Week media program, press room hours, field trips and other media opportunities during the conference.

Preregistration is encouraged and can be completed at http://tinyurl.com/gwq43df. Press can also register on site beginning at 6 p.m. on March 11 at the University of Alaska Museum of the North or 7:30 a.m. on March 12 in the UAF Wood Center. Further registration information is available online. Presentation of credentials (such as a company ID) will be required at check-in.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, 907-474-7902 or mlgrimes@alaska.edu.