New Workflows Repurpose Geotagged Information to Improve Outreach and Engagement

The Arctic Research Mapping Application (ARMAP; https://armap.org) and the Arctic Observing Viewer (AOV; https://arcticobservingviewer.org) are a suite of online applications and data services that support Arctic science. These tools provide information on whos doing what, when, and where for field based research projects and observing sites funded by the US National Science Foundation in the Arctic region. This year, the suite of applications and services have been undergoing a process to re-envision and re-focus capabilities to better accommodate different user groups including local residents. This new vision aligns with the principles for conducting research in the Arctic to be accountable, using the visualization tools and information services to establish effective communication that respects Indigenous knowledge and cultures while building and sustaining relationships in the pursuit of responsible environmental stewardship. Through case studies, user stories, and continuous feedback, refined user interfaces will be developed to better meet user needs. Approaches include geotagging information and activities, making it easier to access information about upcoming research, providing a news feed to include near real time updates on field-based research and vessel cruises. By facilitating access to information, the goal is for local communities to be more aware of activities in their region and to foster co-production of knowledge with the scientific community. Support for information that is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) is the foundation for this new approach. Efforts strive to enhance relationships with Arctic communities; to connect disparate workflows with a new logistics database; curate information to improve outreach and engagement; and leverage content from data streams such as weekly reports from science and operations teams. Through this process, the applications and underlying databases have the potential to make a significant contribution to the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) Roadmap to assess priorities and link efforts funded by the US National Science Foundation.