Although organized, multinational scientific research in the Arctic has taken place since the late 19^th century,¹ the past two decades have seen a surge in activity alongside the rapid ecosystem changes (Figure 1).² Yet these scientific studies are increasingly mired in geopolitical tensions and economic interests,³ which means that scientists need to carefully consider how they can conduct constructive and responsible research in the coming decades.

In February 2026, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) hosted a discovery panel event in Geneva, Switzerland, to brainstorm potential future research directions for the Arctic. Hosted in partnership with the Swiss National Science Foundation, the event consisted of roundtable discussions and collaborative sessions with 14 international experts, whose backgrounds ranged from oceanography and geology to Indigenous arts and speculative fiction.