Antarctica and its ice, the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic ecosystems play a key role in regulating the global climate. However, Antarctica is undergoing major changes due to global warming. The changes not only threaten local ecosystems, but also have a global impact. For example, the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet is contributing directly to global sea level rise. This is a threat to coastal communities around the world.
Antarctica International Science & Infrastructure for Synchronous Observation (Antarctica InSync) is a global program for synchronous scientific observations in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Antarctica InSync aims to provide a circumpolar assessment of the connections between ice, ocean, climate, environment and life, including human pressures and their solutions, such as marine conservation.
Research in Antarctica is hard due to its remote location and extreme weather. No individual country or scientific program can handle it alone. This is why Antarctica InSync is a global initiative with many international partners spearheaded by the Alfred Wegener Institute.
Coordination Team
Antarctica InSync has established a coordination team at the Alfred Wegener Institute to lead and coordinate the activities.
- Steering Committee: Antje Boetius (continues to lead the Antarctica InSync Steering Board as International Coordinator from her new institutional home at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute – MBARI)
- Science Coordination: Diego Filún
- Logistic Coordination: Julia Regnery
- International Cooperation Office: Nicole Biebow
- Science Communication: Roland Koch
- Scientific Leaders: Alexander Haumann & Stefanie Arndt
More information for Antarctic researchers here
Anatarctica InSync Timeline
2024 – 2026
Preparatory phase for the development of science and infrastructure plan in international partnership
2027 – 2030
Implementation phase with joint field campaigns for land, sea and air
Starting 2030
Synthesis phase