Opportunities for Collaboration Between the United States and Norway in Arctic Research: A Workshop Report

摘要

As two of the eight arctic nations, Norway and the United States are major participants in circumarctic research and have complementary access and capabilities. The two nations have collaborated on many research projects in the past: The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) lists approximately 31 funded projects in Svalbard alone, and NSF has funded projects in other parts of the Norwegian Arctic. Other U.S. and Norwegian agencies also participate in collaborative research. A multidisciplinary scientific workshop held on Svalbard August 1619, 1999, provided an opportunity for American and Norwegian investigators to discuss a range of possibilities for enhanced collaborative research. This workshop was initiated to increase U.S./Norwegian collaborations in conducting arctic research and developing and using research infrastructure, collaborations which had decreased since the development of the European Union. Scientists from the U.S. will benefit from improved circumarctic access opportunities, ice-free ports, and modern logistical facilities at higher latitudes. Scientists from both nations will benefit from shared research goals, integration of findings, and joint use of facilities.