By Victorine Lambert, Master’s student at McGill University

In December 2024, I attended my first conference in Ottawa for the ArcticNet’s 5th International Arctic Change Conference (AC2024), thanks to the QCBS Excellence Award. Not only was it my first time presenting my research, which was incredibly exciting, but I was also thrilled to take part in such a unique and multidisciplinary event. The ArcticNet conference reunites scientists, engineers, and other professionals in the human health, natural and social sciences with partners from Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies and the private sector to study the impacts of climate and socio-economic change in the Arctic. This conference brings a lot of different communities across the Canadian Arctic and ensures Northerners are an integral part of the conversation around current results emerging from Arctic research.

A moment for science

As I stepped up to present my research on killer whale feeding ecology in the Canadian Arctic, I was filled with both excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. Sharing my work in a room full of experts and students alike, I realized just how interconnected our scientific efforts are. I spent 4 days listening to inspiring talks given by well-established scientists as well as young scientists like me. The science was everywhere and people were excited to tell you about their journey. I listened to talks about permafrost, plants, birds, mammals or even bumble bees. Seeing so many people working toward the same goal was both exciting and inspiring. By the end of the conference, I wanted to study every topic I had heard about!

A moment for culture

One of the most memorable moments of the conference wasn’t in a lecture hall, but during a cultural night where Inuit communities shared their stories through music, storytelling and food. It reminded me that science in the Arctic cannot be separated from the lived experiences of the people who call it home. This night, even if short, was a unique opportunity to learn more about Inuit culture and to hear stories directly from Inuit people and not through our occidental prism and biased view. Attending panels led by Inuit leaders and community researchers grounded the scientific discussions in values of respect, reciprocity, and listening. It was a powerful reminder that culture and knowledge systems are deeply intertwined, and that truly inclusive science requires both humility and openness.

A moment for humans

Conferences are known to be very social and allow people to meet in another context. I met other students, professors, engineers, people from communities I had never had the opportunity to talk to before, and even made new friends. Every break was an opportunity to learn more about the Arctic and what people were passionate about, often just by joining a table at lunch or grabbing coffee between sessions. These informal conversations were often just as impactful as the scheduled talks. One thing I will carry with me is the genuine openness and approachability of everyone I met throughout the week. One evening, some of us gathered at a local pub in Ottawa. It was a casual setting that offered space for deeper conversations, shared laughter, and the kind of camaraderie that makes a scientific community feel like a shared journey. Moments like these reminded me that beyond the data and the presentations, it is people and their stories that truly shape the research.

So, if you were doubting about going to that conference, I hope this convinced you! I came back motivated as ever and with stars in my eyes thinking about all the different fields and possibilities that were ahead of me.