Welcome

Welcome to the Polar Research Board (PRB). The PRB is a unit of The National Academies, which is comprised of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. The PRB provides independent analysis to the federal government and the nation on matters of science and technology research needs, environmental quality, natural resources, and other issues in the Arctic, the Antarctic, and cold regions in general.



International Polar Year: Exploring the Changing Poles

The polar regions are changing faster than any other part of our planet. Find out why with Dr. Robin Bell, chair of the U.S. National Committee for the International Polar Year.

During the International Polar Year, which takes places from March 2007-March 2009, more than 50,000 scientists from 63 nations are working together to understand why the poles are changing so rapidly through research at some of the most remote regions on Earth. Learn about the goals of the International Polar Year, the research projects underway, and the challenges of working in the Antarctic and the Arctic.

Dr. Robin E. Bell is Director of the ADVANCE Program at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. She is chair of the Polar Research Board of the National Academies, a member of the U.S. National Committee to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and serves as the United States representative to the International Planning Committee for the International Polar Year. Dr. Bell holds a Ph.D. in Geology from Columbia University and a B.A. in Geology from Middlebury College.

Date: Thursday, November 29, 2007 Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Location: �
Koshland Science Museum
6th & E Streets, NW
Washington, DC
Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown or Judiciary Square
Tickets: Admission is $5 and includes refreshments. Contact the Koshland Science Museum at 202-334-1201 or ksm@nas.edu to purchase tickets.



New Report Available: Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments: Environmental and Scientific Stewardship. At the request of the National Science Foundation, this report assesses what is needed to responsibly explore subglacial lakes. The report concludes that it is time for research on subglacial lakes to begin, and this research should be guided by internationally agreed upon protocols. The report suggests an initial protocol, which includes full characterization of the lakes by remote sensing, and minimum standards for biological and other types of contamination.
Read Online/Purchase
Download Report Brief

Contact Information:
Polar Research Board
The National Academies
500 5th Street, NW, Keck-603
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: (202) 334-3479
Fax: (202) 334-3825



Job Openings at the PRB

Program Assistant

Please direct inquiries to the Director, Chris Elfring.

The National Academies Building is located one block west of the Judiciary Square Metro Station and two blocks east of the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Station. For detailed directions, click here.