Kimberly Aiken

• Collaborate with the Arctic Council Secretariat, Indigenous Peoples Secretariat, Working Group Secretariats, and external partners to develop strategic messaging and create engaging content for social media and broader communications efforts.
• Design and execute a strategic communications plan to elevate the SDWG's visibility, grow engagement, and expand audience reach through targeted social media initiatives, including establishing a LinkedIn presence.
• Regularly record minutes from the SDWG executive and plenary meetings and liaise with working group Members, Indigenous partners and Observers on promoting active projects, joint events and project outcomes.
• Craft high-level talking points for executive presentations at industry conferences and Arctic meetings.
• Consistently engage in Arctic Council Members and Observers meetings to support the implementation of Arctic Council Chairship priorities and advance collaborative Arctic initiatives.

• Provide advice to the program's executive board on integrating diversity and inclusion engagement with Black and Indigenous researchers interested and working in polar research and science.
• Participate in biannual review meetings to assess the impact of the STEAM program and provide strategic feedback to support continuous improvement and program development.

Research focus: Antarctic Humanities & Social Science | Completed one year of doctoral studies.

• Conducted doctoral, qualitative research analyzing the intersection of race and gender in Australian Antarctic expeditioner recruitment.
• Completed doctoral coursework in: introduction to higher degree by research, communicating research, research integrity, research ethics, research plan proposal and literature review writing, and human behavior in extreme environments.
• Served as a panelist and session speaker at the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Symposium, contributing insights on equity, diversity and inclusion in Southern Ocean research and engaging with international experts on bringing an intersectional lens to polar research and science.

• Assisted in shaping organizational positions on Antarctic and Southern Ocean environmental conservation matters through rigorous analysis and engagement with subject matter experts.
• Organized high-profile events such as conferences and roundtable discussions to promote dialogue among diverse stakeholders on policy issues relating to Southern Ocean fisheries management, Antarctic tourism, and climate change and environmental protection.
• Contributed to successful advocacy campaigns by preparing high-level briefings, talking points, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Participated in Antarctic Treaty meetings, conferences, seminars, and panel discussions as a representative of the organization to share expertise on Antarctic conservation matters.

• Liaised with international partners and Saami Indigenous Peoples to execute Arctic plastic pollution workshops and meetings.
• Managed event coordination, hotel and travel management for invited guests and speakers.
• Oversaw updates to web content, communication, media releases, and social media platforms.
• Maintained a well-organized document repository for easy access to vital information during the lifecycle of projects.

• Conducted thorough research to identify intergovernmental Arctic organizations.
• Conducted qualitative interviews with Arctic experts and the Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat at the Arctic Council.
• Engaged in professional networking at the Potsdam Public Policy Summer School on Arctic issues.
• Produced accessible communication materials such as infographics and fact sheets to simplify complex Arctic policy concepts for wider audiences.

• Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
• Analyzed data on Arctic sea-level rise, permafrost and sea ice conditions.
• Liaised with scientific experts from the National Snow, Ice and Data Center, NOAA, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research on permafrost briefings.
• Provided logistical support and international outreach to policy-makers, Indigenous Peoples, and scientists for the Arctic Futures 2050 conference.