Cultivating Collaboration in the Arctic: A Greenland Summer School Advancing Inclusive Geosciences Education

The Greenland Ice Sheet Ocean Science Network (GRISO) project, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), facilitates innovative approaches to geosciences education through its annual two-week summer school in Greenland. Since its inception in 2022, this program has become a hallmark of GRISO’s efforts to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration and foster equitable research in and around Greenland. The summer school brings together early-career researchers from diverse disciplines and nations to engage with Greenland-focused research themes, such as ice-ocean interactions, climate impacts, and sustainable development. Participants benefit from direct engagement with local researchers and organizations, and actively apply their experiences to find innovative ways to move forward Greenland-focused research in an equitable way.

The curriculum emphasizes collaborative techniques and a broad introduction to a multitude of research disciplines and methods, equipping participants with skills to design and execute research projects that respect and integrate local knowledge and priorities. Field-based activities, exchange with local experts and organizations, and community interactions create a dynamic learning environment, fostering partnerships that extend beyond the summer school. By conducting these summer schools, GRISO contributes to training a new generation of researchers prepared to mindfully address complex Arctic challenges through innovative and inclusive approaches.

This presentation will share insights from the summer schools, highlight its alignment with the current U.S. and Greenland research strategies, and discuss its broader impact on the landscape of Greenland-focused research.