Dr. Peter Harrison is Professor, Stauffer-Dunning Chair and Director of the School of Policy Studies (SPS) at Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario).  From 2008-2009 he was the Skelton-Clark Fellow in the School.  Previously Dr. Harrison served as Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, responsible for Northern Affairs and Inuit Relations, as well as Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.

Dr. Harrison is a professional Geographer and holds a BA (1^st Class Honours) from the London School of Economics, an MA from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, and a PhD from the University of Washington.  Dr. Harrison is a Fellow, Governor and Vice-resident of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.  He is a recipient of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Gold Metal for Public Service, and the J.B. Nicholls Award for lifetime contribution to ocean and coastal management in Canada.

Dr. Karl Erb joined the United States National Science Foundation in 1986, and has been Director of the United States Office of Polar Programs since 1998. In the mid-1990s, Dr. Erb was the Senior Science Advisor to the Director of the United States National Science Foundation and was instrumental in continuing the work of the Office of Polar Programs and in the establishment of a new South Pole station.

He received his Masters and Doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University. He is recognized for his research in experimental nuclear physics.

In his capacity as Director of the United States National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Polar Programs, Dr. Erb has been at the forefront of the American International Polar Year Program. The Office of Polar Programs supports the American International Polar Year program through the work of its grantees, in co-ordination with other agencies, and by developing partnerships with other nations.  The US NSF has committed $225 million for science and education during IPY and a further $110 million for the continuation of IPY projects until 2012.

In 2007, Dr. Erb was named a Chevalier of the French National Order of Merit by the President of the Republic of France. Also in 2007, Dr. Erb was presented with an Honorary New Zealand Antarctic Medal for his outstanding service in support of the New Zealand Antarctic Programme.

Canada has played a significant role in IPY, contributing $156M to support 52 research projects involving over 1,750 investigators working across the Canadian Arctic. Canada's IPY projects, which focused on climate change impacts and adaptation, addressed all components of the ecosystem, ranging from the oceans and atmosphere, snow, permafrost and sea ice, to vegetation and wildlife. Canada also funded important research into the health and well-being of the people and communities that call the Canadian Arctic home.

For more information, go to the International Polar Year website