The first Polar Science, Technology, Archaeology, and Heritage (PoleSTAH) conference was held in-person at Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand and online/virtual.

30 presentations over three days! The central theme of PoleSTAH was to explore how to enhance the integration of Arctic and Antarctic polar scientific research and heritage conservation in the context of a changing global climate. The great symmetry which currently exists between northern and southern research was evident throughout the conference and many of the 60+ attendees commented on this. 

It is hoped this will be the first of an ongoing series of hybrid conferences intended to build greater connectivity between Arctic and Antarctic research.

2012 ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee Conference

Conservation Challenges, Solutions and Collaboration Opportunities in Uncontrolled Environments

The ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee and Polar Archaeology Network conference was held in Hobart, Australia on 09 -11 March 2012.

The ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee held its meeting and an open conference in Hobart, Australia in March 2012. The meeting and conference was timed to coincide with a series of commemorative events in Hobart to mark the centenary of Roald Amundsen’s return to Hobart after the attainment of the South Pole.

The meeting and conference was held at the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery in Hobart, with the conference dinner in the spectacular setting of Peppermint Bay. A number of events celebrating Hobart’s links with Antarctic heritage also took place.

The focus of the conference was to bring together interested parties to discuss the conservation challenges and share solutions in uncontrolled environments, as well as improving linkages and encouraging opportunities for collaborations particularly with the science community to benefit broader conservation practice. In addition it was proposed that the opportunity for dialogue with scientists will enable linkages to be explored between current polar research and the scientific investigations which underpinned so much early polar exploration.

Proceedings from the IPHC Conference Workshops

The Hobart Aspiration  which outlines the principles agreed at the final session.

The ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee and Polar Archaeology Network conference was held in Barrow Alaska, 24 – 27 September 2007.

Publication