The ICE LAW Project investigates the potential for a legal framework that acknowledges the complex geophysical environment in the world’s frozen regions and explores the impact that an ice-sensitive legal system would have on topics ranging from the everyday activities of Arctic residents to the territorial foundations of the modern state.

The conference will feature four elements:

  • ICE LAW subproject leaders will discuss findings from the workshops and community meetings that they have been holding for the past three years.
  • Four keynote speakers will share their thoughts on topics that join the physical and regulatory environments of the Arctic:
    • Michael Bravo (Cambridge) – Professor of Geography and Convener of Circumpolar History and Public Policy Research, Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge University, UK
    • Chris Burn (Carleton) – Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies., Supervisor of Carleton’s Graduate Programs in Northern Studies, Carleton University, Canada
    • Bruce Forbes (Lapland) – Professor of Geosciences, Environmental sciences and Social and economic geography, Leader of the Global Change Research Group at the Arctic Centre.
    • Rachael Lorna Johnstone (Akureyri/Greenland) – Professor of Law, Arctic Oil and Gas Studies, at Ilisimatusarfik (the University of Greenland) and Professor of Law at the University of Akureyri, Iceland.
  • Unsolicited papers presenting research that broadly addresses the ICE LAW project theme. To propose a paper, please submit an abstract (300 words maximum) here no later than January 15, 2019.

The conference will run from 1700 on Thursday April 25 through noon on Saturday April 27, and will be free of charge.