Polar Research (journal)

Polar Research (journal)
Title	Polar Research
Discipline	Polar studies
Abbreviation	Polar Res.
Publisher	Norwegian Polar Institute
Country	Norway
Frequency	Biannual
History	1982–present
Issn	0800-0395

Polar Research (journal) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal focused on studies of the Arctic and Antarctic regions, covering natural science and human dimensions relevant to polar environments. The journal publishes original research, reviews, and short communications that address physical, biological, chemical, and social issues affecting polar areas. It serves as a forum connecting researchers affiliated with institutions such as the Norwegian Polar Institute, Scott Polar Research Institute, and Alfred Wegener Institute.

History

Established in 1982 under the auspices of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the journal emerged during a period of expanded polar exploration linked to programs like the International Geophysical Year legacy and collaborations between the United States Antarctic Program and the Soviet Antarctic Expedition. Early editorial leadership included scientists connected to the University of Tromsø and the University of Bergen, and the journal documented research stemming from projects such as the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate and the International Polar Year (2007–2008). Over successive decades the journal reflected shifting priorities exemplified by initiatives at the National Science Foundation (United States), the European Polar Board, and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and it adapted to changes in publishing driven by organizations like the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Scope and Content

The journal covers a breadth of polar topics spanning contributions from researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the British Antarctic Survey, and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Article subjects include cryospheric studies linked to the Greenland Ice Sheet and West Antarctic Ice Sheet, oceanographic work in regions such as the Barents Sea and Weddell Sea, ecological research on taxa from polar bears to Antarctic krill, and anthropological and governance studies involving communities represented by the Sami people, the Inuit, and policymakers from the Arctic Council and the Antarctic Treaty System. The journal publishes interdisciplinary syntheses informed by data from platforms like the Argo floats, the CryoSat satellite mission, and field programs at stations including Ny-Ålesund and Mawson Station.

Editorial Board and Peer Review

Editorial oversight has included scholars associated with the University of Cambridge, University of Alaska Fairbanks, McGill University, and the University of Otago. The journal employs double-blind peer review drawing referees from networks such as the International Arctic Science Committee and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. Editorial policies reference standards advocated by the Committee on Publication Ethics and align with best practices promoted by consortia like the Directory of Open Access Journals. Guest editors for special issues have been drawn from projects funded by agencies including the Natural Environment Research Council, the Research Council of Norway, and the National Science Foundation.

Abstracting and Indexing

Polar Research is indexed in major services used by researchers at institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory. Abstracting includes listings in databases maintained by Scopus, the Web of Science, and the Directory of Open Access Journals, facilitating discoverability alongside journals from publishers like the Royal Society and the American Geophysical Union. Citation tracking for articles appears in platforms used by scholars at the University of British Columbia, University of Stockholm, and the University of Tokyo.

Publication and Access

Published by the Norwegian Polar Institute, the journal issues content on a biannual schedule and provides open access to articles, aligning with policies supported by funders such as the European Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. Manuscript submission and editorial management use systems common to publishers including the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers, and the journal participates in archiving arrangements comparable to those of the National Library of Norway and institutional repositories at universities like Uppsala University and University of Otago.

Impact and Reception

Articles from the journal have been cited in policy reports produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, assessments from the Polar Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and guidance documents of the Arctic Council. The journal's influence is reflected in citations by researchers at organizations such as the Alfred Wegener Institute, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and the British Antarctic Survey, and its articles have contributed to debates at conferences like the International Congress on Arctic Social Sciences and sessions of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.

Category:Academic journals Category:Open access journals Category:Polar research