[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52943-52944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24678]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Information--Interagency Arctic Research Policy 
Committee, Chaired by the National Science Foundation

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC), 
chaired by the National Science Foundation, is seeking comment from the 
public on how best to revise and strengthen the Principles for the 
Conduct of Research in the Arctic (https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/arctic/conduct.jsp). These Principles were adopted in 1990 by the federal 
agencies that participate in IARPC and published in 1990. Since 1990, 
community engagement and Arctic research have advanced both in theory 
and in practice, necessitating a review and update of the current 
Principles. The update will focus on communicating clearly the 
Principles for community engagement by Arctic researchers and including 
language that describes partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous 
scholars, enhanced community-based observations, fostering community-
based participatory research, and the integral contributions of 
Indigenous knowledge in the co-production and dissemination of 
knowledge. Input is also sought on enhancing the dissemination and 
implementation of the Principles.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted no later than January 16, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Email comments to [email protected]. Address written 
submissions to Renee Crain, Office of Polar Programs, National Science 
Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Renee 
Crain at 703-292-4482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All researchers working in the North have an 
ethical responsibility toward northern communities, their cultures, and 
the environment. The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee 
(IARPC) developed the Principles for the Conduct of Research in the 
Arctic to provide guidance for researchers in the physical, biological, 
behavioral, health, economic, political, and social sciences and in the 
humanities. The current Principles were prepared by the Social Science 
Task Force of the U.S. Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee, 
approved by the IARPC on June 28, 1990, and published by IARPC in 
volume 9, (Spring, 1995, pp. 56-57) of the journal ``Arctic Research of 
the United States'' (https://www.arctic.gov/publications/related/arotus.html).
    The Principles address the need to promote mutual respect and 
communication between scientists and northern residents. These 
Principles are to be observed when carrying out or sponsoring research 
in the Arctic or when applying the results of this research. Since 
1990, new theoretical and methodological approaches to community 
engagement and Arctic research have emerged necessitating a review and 
update of the current Principles with an aim to including more language 
on partnerships and collaborations, including increased engagement with 
Indigenous scholars, enhanced community-based

[[Page 52944]]

observations, fostering community-based participatory research, and the 
integral contributions of Indigenous knowledge in the co-production and 
dissemination of knowledge.
    IARPC requests input from the public on how best to revise and 
strengthen the Principles for the Conduct of Research in the Arctic 
(https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/arctic/conduct.jsp), on how to disseminate 
the Principles, and on supporting the implementation of the Principles. 
Collaboration is needed at all stages of research planning, 
implementation, and reporting of projects that directly affect northern 
communities. Cooperation will contribute to a better understanding of 
the potential benefits of Arctic research for northern residents and 
will enhance the development of Arctic science by including Indigenous 
knowledge and experience.
    IARPC is interested in all suggestions for how to improve the 
Principles and information about how consultation and collaboration are 
working. The Working Group leading this effort drafted the following 
list of questions to consider. We welcome input on these issues and any 
others the public deems relevant.
     What are the most important 3-5 principles for researchers 
to follow?
     What elements of the Principles should be retained?
     What are ways in which engagement between researchers and 
communities can be improved?
     How can the Principles be made more widely known to 
researchers and to northern residents?
    The effort to revise the Principles is intended to collect input 
from the broadest set of stakeholders on the Principles document to 
include northern residents, Alaska Native communities, other Arctic 
Indigenous peoples, researchers, state and federal agency 
representatives, and others.

    Dated: November 8, 2017.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2017-24678 Filed 11-14-17; 8:45 am]
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