PSECCO: Lowering Barriers to Participation and Elevating Early Career Voices in Cryosphere and Polar Science

Join PSECCO at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in San Francisco, CA, on Wednesday, December 9, 2026 at 8.30 am to 9.30 am PT.

Poster Abstract:

The cryosphere research community faces an urgent need to broaden participation while responding to rapidly accelerating environmental change. Early career researchers (ECRs) represent the future of the field, yet many encounter barriers to participation, including limited access to professional networks, mentorship, training opportunities, funding, and avenues for contributing to community priorities and decision-making. Addressing these barriers is essential for developing a resilient and innovative cryosphere workforce.

Established in 2022, the Polar Science Early Career Community Office (PSECCO) was created to support and connect ECRs across the polar sciences while fostering a more welcoming, and easier to access, research community. Guided by needs identified by ECRs, PSECCO works to reduce informational and professional barriers through career development programming, community-building activities, resource sharing, leadership training, and targeted funding opportunities. To date, PSECCO has hosted more than 48 career development events and 10 community-building activities, engaging nearly 2,000 participants, while distributing over $68,000 to support conference participation and community-led initiatives. To support community engagement and information sharing, PSECCO authors a monthly newsletter reaching more than 1,650 subscribers, facilitates a Slack community of over 800 members, and maintains social media accounts that connect thousands of polar scientists across disciplines and career stages.

Beyond providing resources, PSECCO has worked to elevate ECR perspectives in shaping the future of polar and cryosphere science. Through activities including the synthesis and communication of ECR priorities for the 5th International Polar Year and the 4th International Conference on Arctic Research Planning, PSECCO has advocated for the inclusion of early career-generated ideas in research planning and community conversations.

We present lessons learned from four years of community-building efforts, discuss successes and ongoing challenges in reducing barriers to participation, and highlight opportunities for professional societies, institutions, and research networks to more effectively support emerging scientists. We also will present some forward-looking initiatives that PSECCO intends to spearhead. By increasing access to information, resources, networks, and leadership opportunities, community-driven initiatives such as PSECCO can help ensure that the cryosphere (and other realms of polar science) is truly a field for all.

Learn more on the AGU website.