Conference 2012

For all the latest information on the 3rd edition of the International Polar Tourism Research network Conference, please visit our website at: http://resweb.res.unbc.ca/iptrn2012/


Invitation to presenters


CALL FOR PAPERS

From talk to action: How tourism is changing the Polar Regions

3rd Conference of the International Polar Tourism Research Network (IPTRN)
Dates: April 17th-21st, 2012
Location: Nain, Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador), Canada
Cost: Still to be finalized – Approximately $2500, which will include meals, accommodation and travel round trip from Goose Bay to Nain.

Abstract deadline:
30 September 2011

Acceptance & confirmation:
31 October 2011

Working paper  (max. 3,000 words) deadline:
1 January 2012

Working paper revisions:
15 March 2012

Registration deadline:
15 March 2012

With one marine protected area, four national parks, two of which are located in Labrador (Torngat Mountains National Park and Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve), and a growing tourism industry, theprovince of Newfoundland and Labrador is an ideal location to host the 3rd IPTRN conference.

Our host community for the conference is Nain; Labrador’s most northerly community, gateway to Torngat Mountains National Park, and capital of Nunatsiavut.  Your hosts for this conference will be the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management Program at the University of Northern British Columbia and the Centre for Northern Studies at Lakehead University, in collaboration locally with the Nunatsiavut Government, Nunatsiavut Tourism, and Parks Canada.

Conference Themes:
The goal of this 3rd conference of the International Polar Tourism Research Network in Nain is to explore how tourism in the Polar Regions is being put into action, especially in light of media attention from the recent International Polar Year.

Specific themes of interest are:

  • How communities are adapting to polar tourism;
  • How communities in peripheral regions are impacted by polar tourism;
  • Learning from the experiences of other locations (case-study sharing);
  • Engaging communities in responsible tourism development;
  • Human resource challenges for tourism development in polar regions;
  • Tourism and climate change in the polar regions;
  • Community commitment to tourism developments; and
  • Governance structures for tourism in remote areas

Research that is cooperative and applied, promoting research outcomes with communities (aboriginal, non-aboriginal, scientific, and non-permanent as is the case in the Antarctic) is encouraged.

Presentation Options:
Posters
Poster proposals outlining research activities including:  purpose or objectives, methods, summary of key results, and potential implications for tourism in Polar Regions.  When printed, posters should be no larger than 61 cm wide x 91 cm long (2ft. x 3ft). 1 page handouts of the poster are encouraged to accompany the display.

Oral Presentations
Standard length (approximately 20-30 minute) oral presentation proposals are accepted for two types of sessions: a) results from projects/case studies and b) theoretical discussion.  Each proposal could include: the focus or goals of the work, key activities, outcomes and lessons learned, summary of key results and potential implications for tourism in Polar Regions.

Experiential Workshops or Panel Discussions
Experiential workshops and panel discussions (or other formats) are accepted to encourage additional ways for delegates to dialogue and share new knowledge or findings. Proposals shouldinclude a description of the topic, the length of time required, the facilitators and panel members (if known), the layout or format of the session, the benefits for delegates, and any space or equipment requirements.

Submission of Proposals:
Submissions addressing both applied and theoretical perspectives are welcomed.  A review process will be applied to ensure all abstracts are high-quality contributions to the conference.  Moreover, the location of the conference in the coastal Arctic region of Canada and the subsequent logistical limitations imply that only a limited number of delegates can be accepted for the conference.

All abstracts should include:

  1. the type of presentation proposed,
  2. the title of the presentation,
  3. the names and affiliations of all authors/presenters/panelists, and
  4. any specific equipment, facility, or timing requests.

The abstract itself should be about 250 words, and should be submitted electronically (as a .doc or .pdf) to Dr. Harvey Lemelin: Harvey.lemelin@lakeheadu.ca.

Before the conference occurs authors will be expected to contribute a working paper for the proceedings.  These papers will be 2,000-3,000 words, and will be peer reviewed and revised before the conference occurs.  These proceedings, distributed onsite will allow participants to have concrete information from the presenters, and allow for conceptual development through discussion.  After the conference a book project of selected papers will expand upon the proceedings and the discussion held during the conference.

We look forward to welcoming you to Nain, Nunatsiavut!

Drs. Patrick Maher and Harvey Lemelin (academic conference organizers)

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