Be-poles

Posted on 23.03.2005 • in Projects

The Be-poles project initiated by Belspo (Belgian Science Policy) aims to promote the national and international profile of Belgian polar research. The International Polar Foundation (IPF) is actively involved.

Belgian polar research is currently not very visible outside the scientific community - largely because of a lack of coordination and communication between research teams.

The BE-POLES project, by laying the foundations for a 'Virtual Belgian Polar Institute', will be a major step towards improved coordination.

The process already has some momentum in Antarctic research through BELSPO's SPSD II programme (second multi-annual scientific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development policy). Fifteen partners funded by SPSD II form the core of this part of the BEPOLES programme. In addition, 6 research teams performing high level research in the polar regions are involved (supported by other funding sources).

The disciplines represented include oceanography, biogeochemistry, numerical modelling, zoology, biodiversity, paleolimnology, climatology, glaciology, geology and geophysics, astrophysics, microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology.

To strengthen communication of research outcomes and their social implications to the public, a strong educational component will also be part of the BE-POLES project. In particular, the Educational Service of RBINS, PROBIO asbl, the VELEWE and the FEGEPRO will bring their teaching experience to the programme's actions targeted at teenagers.

In addition, the work on better communicating the achievements of Belgian science will benefit from the participation of the "Laboratoire d'Enseignement Multimédia" (LEM, ULg) and the IPF.

Key objectives

• to stimulate internal communication, multidisciplinary approaches and exchanges within the Belgian polar scientific community
• to increase visibility of Belgian polar research in European and international organisations and networks
• to improve external communication with policy advisers, decision-makers, legislators and journalists.
• to disseminate research data to the general public - in particular through media activities directed towards schools and the educational community

Expected results

1. A website on Belgian polar research aimed not only at informing scientists, policy makers, media and the public, on polar science issues but also at making polar research attractive and exciting for younger generations. This increased visibility should lead to a better comprehension of the environmental challenges linked to polar regions.
2. A biannual newsletter (electronic and paper) as well as a brochure promoting the web site.
3. A BEPOLES Communication Office will be the entry point to the programme's different partners' labs and the primary instrument for distributing scientific information. It should enhance the attention given to polar research and related environmental issues.
4. Logistic support for the follow-up to Belgian participation to the International Polar Year 2007-2008 within the ad hoc working group of the Academy of Sciences.
5. Fellowships to help young researchers integrate their work within the broader context of polar research.
6. Two national workshops will allow teams of polar scientists to discuss together their results and to present them to a wider audience.
7. Training sessions for secondary school teachers will offer the teaching community an overview of Belgian polar research and its relevance for global environmental issues,
8. A strong presence at the Belgian science weeks will also help convey science outcomes to teenagers and their families through direct contact.
9. The Class@Poles project will bring together two students in Spitzbergen and Brussels via a classroom cyberlink and will give considerable profile to the BE-POLES project

Partners

Fifteen partners funded by the SPSD II (Belspo) to perform research in the Antarctic form the core of this cluster, that also includes 6 research teams performing research of high level in the Polar regions supported by other funding sources. The disciplines represented include oceanography, biogeochemistry, numerical modelling, zoology, biodiversity, paleolimnology, climatology, glaciology, geology and geophysics, astrophysics, microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology. A number of these partners have broadened the expertise acquired during Antarctic studies in order to work in the Arctic.

In addition, the cluster will benefit from the participation of of the 'Laboratoire d'Enseignement Multimédia' (LEM, ULg) and the International Polar Foundation.

Finally, the Educative Service of RBINS, PROBIO asbl, the VELEWE and the FEGEPRO will bring their pedagogic experience for the actions directed to teenagers.

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