HarSval Initiative:

The HarSval initiative proposes a comprehensive bilateral program designed to enhance Polish-Norwegian collaboration in Svalbard research. By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, HarSval aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Expand Research Scope: Broaden research beyond cryospheric studies to encompass the impact of climate change on marine and coastal environments, paleogeography, and thermal evolution of Svalbard.
• Diversify Participation: Include a wider range of partners from both Poland and Norway, encompassing universities, research institutes, and government agencies, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Enhance Research Skills: Elevate the capabilities of researchers through workshops, training programs, and exchange visits, fostering a skilled and knowledgeable Svalbard research community.
• Promote Open Science: Implement FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles to ensure research data transparency, accessibility, and long-term preservation.

Project Components:

The project is structured into four key components, each addressing a specific aspect of enhancing Polish-Norwegian collaboration:

1. Modernization and Standardization of Svalbard Observing Systems:

• Activity 1.1: WetSnowEx: This activity will focus on collecting data on snow properties and processes throughout the melting season. It will leverage existing research infrastructure and engage both experienced and early-career researchers, fostering knowledge transfer and capacity building.
• Activity 1.2: Joint Pilot Studies: This activity will involve collaborative research cruises, field studies, and data analysis. It will investigate the impact of climate change on Svalbard's coastal and marine environments, as well as its geological history, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's environmental dynamics.

Specifically, the activity will focus on:

• Coastal Zone Changes and Geohazards: Investigating the impact of coastal erosion on the stability of coastlines, including the emergence of new land areas due to melting glaciers, and assessing potential geohazards along these new coastlines. This will involve studying the effects of changing environmental conditions on coastal ecosystems and cultural heritage sites.
• Paleogeographical and Thermal Evolution: Integrating paleomagnetic investigations with the analysis of Svalbard's Mesozoic sedimentary basins, particularly in previously unexplored eastern regions. This will contribute to reconstructing the past positions of Svalbard's landmasses, its geological history, and the thermal evolution of the region.
• Oceanic Changes: Deploying moorings in the Atlantic inflow north of Svalbard to observe and study changes in water properties, contributing to a better understanding of the ongoing "Atlantification" of the Arctic Ocean and its impact on sea ice loss.

By combining these diverse research foci, Activity 1.2 aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the environmental changes affecting Svalbard and the surrounding Arctic region. The collected data will be crucial for informing future research efforts, developing effective environmental management strategies, and contributing to a broader understanding of global climate change.

2. Development of Competencies and Skills:

• Activity 2.1: The School of Polar Hydrology: This activity will convene early-career researchers from Poland and Norway to participate in a focused program on hydrological processes in Svalbard. The program will encourage knowledge exchange, foster collaboration, and equip participants with specialized skills crucial for future Svalbard research.
• Activity 2.2: Early-Career Researcher Development Program: This activity will offer funding for early-career researchers to participate in courses, internships, and research stays at partner institutions in Norway. This will provide them with valuable exposure to international research environments and expertise, strengthening their research capabilities.
• Activity 2.3: Two-Way Mobility for Experienced Researchers: This activity will facilitate exchange visits between experienced researchers from both countries. These visits will promote knowledge sharing, foster collaboration on specific research projects, and establish strong research networks.

3. Open Science and FAIR Data Sharing:

• This activity will focus on enhancing the Polish Polar Data Base (PPDB) and fostering data sharing practices among Polish researchers, drawing upon the expertise of Norwegian partners who are leaders in this area. This will ensure data transparency, accessibility, and long-term preservation, enabling wider utilization and fostering open science practices within the Polish Svalbard research community.

4. Dissemination, Communication, and Management:

• Project coordination will be led by the University of Silesia in Katowice, with a dedicated team responsible for overseeing all activities and tasks.
• A comprehensive dissemination and communication strategy will be implemented, utilizing channels such as workshops, reports, conferences, and social media to engage stakeholders, disseminate research findings, and promote the project's impact.

Expected Outcomes:

By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, HarSval expects to achieve the following long-term outcomes:

• Strengthened Polish-Norwegian research collaboration in Svalbard.
• Improved quality and quantity of research data generated through collaborative research efforts.
• Enhanced skills and knowledge of researchers involved in Svalbard research, contributing to a more capable next generation of scientists.
• Increased visibility and international recognition of the Polish polar research community.
• Improved data sharing practices and open science culture within Polish Svalbard research, promoting transparency and facilitating data-driven research across the region.

The HarSval initiative presents a significant opportunity to further strengthen the existing Polish-Norwegian partnership in Svalbard research. By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, it aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges facing the Arctic region, while simultaneously promoting the development of a skilled and collaborative research community equipped to address these challenges effectively.