The 17th Polar Talk, which took place on 9 April 2025 at the Natural History Museum in Vienna, focused on the perspective of the next generation of polar researchers: under the title “Young Perspectives on the Polar World”, seven young scientists provided insights into their research, their motivation and their views on the future of polar research. The interesting evening was moderated by Philip Krogull, a master's student at the University of Graz.
Hardly any other region on Earth is as severely affected by climate change as the Arctic. The region is currently warming about four times faster than the global average – a phenomenon known as ‘Arctic amplification’. The consequences of this rapid change are felt not only in the Arctic itself, but worldwide. The young scientists presenting their research on the Arctic were Florina Schalamon, Carolin Hirt, Victoria Martin, Tobias Monthaler, Marie Schroeder and Jonathan Fipper. They are part of APECS Austria and gave the audience a fascinating insight into the diversity of polar research – from glacier changes and microbiology in permafrost to political science perspectives on the Arctic.
Research of the Early Career Scientists
Florina Schalamon, a PhD student at the University of Graz who is researching climate and glacier changes in Greenland, was the first to present her research. As part of her PhD studies, she is currently analysing measurement data collected in West Greenland as part of the Weg_RE project and comparing it with historical records collected by an expedition led by Alfred Wegener in 1930/31 at the same location. The comparison of these data should help to better understand climatic changes and their interaction with glacier changes. Impressive images from field experiments and graphical representations of glacier development illustrated the dramatic changes in the Arctic to the audience.
The glacier at the time of Alfred Wegener’s expedition to West Greenland in 1930/31 (Jakob Abermann 2023, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33225-).
The glacier in West Greenland in summer 2022 (Jakob Abermann 2023, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33225-9).
Marie Schroeder (University of Innsbruck) and Jonathan Fipper (University of Graz) are also focusing on Arctic ice, but from different perspectives. While Marie studies vertical ice cliffs in Northwest Greenland, Jonathan focuses on the Flade Isblink ice cap in Northeast Greenland. Despite the thematic similarity, there are major differences in their measurement methods and research approaches: Marie attempts to understand the energy balance of the ice cliff using local measurements, which is crucial for its formation and potential changes to the ice margin. Jonathan, on the other hand, used drones to measure vertical air temperature profiles at the Flade Isblink ice cap and investigated how these relate to the melting of the ice. Both presentations highlighted how important the processes of glaciers are for understanding the global climate system and sea level rise.
Camp of Marie’s research team in front of the ice cliff in Northwest Greenland (M. Schroeder).
Overview of the landscape around the Flade Isblink ice cap with vertical air temperature profiles taken using drones (J. Fipper).
Victoria Martin, a PhD student at the University of Vienna, is researching a very different subject. She is studying the permafrost soils of the Canadian Arctic, which store huge amounts of organic carbon and nitrogen. When these soils thaw, microbial activity releases greenhouse gases – a process that can further accelerate global warming and make the Arctic a crucial element in climate change. Victoria described the intensity of Arctic fieldwork and the complexity of microbial processes, providing a fascinating insight into the world beneath the surface of the tundra.
Camp in the Canadian lowland tundra along the Beaufort Sea coast (V. Martin).
Left: Active layer of permafrost, often consisting largely of peat. Right: Permafrost drill core with old, trapped wood and other organic materials (V. Martin).
Carolin Hirt takes a political science approach to the Arctic. In her presentation, she introduced the concept of the ‘digital twin’ – a virtual representation of the real world that can provide a basis for political and economic decision-making. In the Arctic, the focus is on resource development and new shipping routes, whose strategic importance is steadily increasing in the context of climate change.
Tobias Monthaler wrapped up the presentations with a report on his experiences during a university field trip to Greenland. In the summer of 2024, he got to join a student field trip to the new Austrian polar research station Sermilik in East Greenland. He emphasised the impact of such excursions: experiencing the Arctic landscape up close, seeing polar bears or waiting out a storm leaves a lasting impression and can often spark a lasting interest in polar research among students.
Tobias with the student excursion at the Sermilik Station, South-East Greenland (Karl Steinegger).
View from the Mittivakkat Glacier near the Sermilik Research Station (Karl Steinegger).
Motivation of Early Career Scientists
The presentations of the scientific projects were followed by an interactive session with personal insights. A common motivation for polar regions among the speakers was an early fascination with snow, ice and untouched nature. Whether through mountain sports or winter experiences, their interest in remote landscapes with snow and ice was often awakened in childhood and developed academically during their studies.
Victoria also found the ecology of extreme habitats particularly fascinating during her biology studies. She is particularly interested in the adaptations that microbes, plants and animals make in regions such as the Arctic.
Taking permafrost samples in the tundra (V. Martin).
In addition to the impressive landscape, Carolin is particularly interested in the political dimensions of the Arctic. Rapid environmental change in the Arctic has serious geopolitical implications – through new trade routes, resource interests and the associated tensions in international relations.
Future of Polar Science
In the last part of the evening, the young scientists looked to the future – both their own and that of polar science in general. All panelists would like to remain connected to polar science.
Victoria emphasised that polar research must be conducted not only scientifically but also ethically sensitively. Indigenous peoples have inhabited the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions for thousands of years. Research in the Arctic takes place on the land of indigenous communities and requires special ethical responsibility due to its colonial past. All ice and sediment cores, rocks, microbes or water samples belong to the indigenous world and are under indigenous care. Successful decolonised research therefore requires strict ethical guidelines and can only take place with indigenous participation.
Arctic Landscape in Svalbard in winter (J. Fipper).
There was also consensus that polar research continues to be of great importance for understanding climate change. The ‘Arctic amplification’ not only affects the region itself, but also weather and climate patterns in mid-latitudes. In addition, the melting of Arctic ice contributes significantly to sea level rise, which threatens millions of people in coastal regions. This illustrates that a better understanding of Arctic climate change helps to mitigate the global consequences of global warming – and highlights the need for effective climate protection through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
After several rounds of questions between the speakers and the audience, covering topics ranging from the financing of expeditions to the handling of waste in these sensitive ecosystems, the lecture part of Polar Talk 17 came to an end. The exchange continued over snacks and refreshments, rounding off an informative evening.
Medieninformation
Written by Florina Schalamon, Carolin Hirt, Victoria Martin, Tobias Monthaler, Marie Schroeder, Philip Krogull and Jonathan Fipper.
Layout by the APRI Media Team.
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Photos: © as indicated in the captions.
Über die Autor*innen
Florina Schalamon is a PhD student at the University of Graz.
Carolin Hirt is a PhD student at the University of Vienna.
Victoria Martin is a PhD student at the University of Vienna.
Tobias Monthaler is a master’s student at the University of Graz.
Marie Schroeder is a PhD student at the University of Innsbruck.
Philip Krogull is a master’s student at the University of Graz.
Jonathan Fipper is a master’s student at the University of Graz.
