ISCAR

30 Years of ForumAlpinum: new MRD article

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the ForumAlpinum conference series, the International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps (ISCAR) presents the history and impact of this Alpine-wide conference in a MountainPlatform article in the journal Mountain Research and Development (MRD). ForumAlpinum is organized by ISCAR in collaboration with national partners across the European Alps. Thirty years after the first ForumAlpinum in 1994, Thomas Scheurer, Elisa Frank, Valerie Braun, Irma Potočnik Slavič, Janez Nared, and Živa Novljan trace its evolution in terms of interaction with the scientific and political environment. They highlight some success factors and challenges experienced throughout the 14 editions of this interdisciplinary conference, which aims to link natural sciences, humanities, and society for sustainable development in the European Alps, according to the principles of the Alpine Convention.

Read the article.

The journal MRD is published by the International Mountain Society (IMS).

Upcoming Alpine research events with the involvement of ISCAR members

7. Schweizerische Geschichtstage zum Thema «(Un-)Sichtbarkeit», Luzern, 8.–11.7.2025

Session on (Un-)Sichtbare Gletscher, organised by ISCAR members Christian Rohr, University of Bern, and Samuel Nussbaumer, WGMS/University of Zurich (Friday, 11.7.2025, 13:45)

13. Conference of the European Society for Environmental History (ESEH), Uppsala and Stockholm, 18.-22.8.2025

Session on Historical Climate Databases organized by ISCAR member Christian Rohr, University of Bern

International Mountain Conference IMC 2025, Innsbruck, 14.–18.9.2025

• Focus Session 3.160: Migration and Border Dynamics along the Alpine Arc (Andrea Omizzolo and Elisa Ravazzoli, Eurac, for ISCAR) 
• Workshop 3.121: The science-policy interface for regional mountain governance (convened by Raphaël Lelouvier from PSAC, Janez Nared, ZRC SAZU, as co-convenor on behalf of ISCAR)
• Focus Session 3.123: Challenges and Solutions in Alpine Protected Areas(with ISCAR member Valerie Braun, IGF)
• Workshop 3.114: Past, Present, and Future Challenges for Mountain Protected Areas (with ISCAR member Valerie Braun, IGF)
• Focus Session 3.201: Treasures from the past: using archival information to quantify environmental change in mountains (with ISCAR member Samuel Nussbaumer, WGMS/UZH)

About ISCAR

Main mission

The International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps promotes international cooperation in Alpine research. In 2000, ISCAR was recognized by the Alpine Conference as an official observer of the Alpine Convention. In this function, ISCAR provides research and scientific expertise in the official bodies of the Alpine Convention, from which it takes up research needs.

Objectives of the ISCAR convention 1999

In the ISCAR Convention, partner institutions from six alpine countries agreed in four objectives:

Promote interdisciplinary research on the Alps and the transfer of scientific knowledge to policymakers and the general public.

• Initiate integrative studies covering the entire Alpine arc.

Stimulate scientific research of relevance for the Alps  as well as their implementation within international or mountain research programmes.

• Establish cooperation in the field of science within the Alps and with other European mountain areas.
• Cooperate with scientific initiatives in mountain research such as MRI or GMBA.

Ensure the continuity and scientific quality of ForumAlpinum and AlpWeek to promote international cooperation in Alpine research.

• Disseminate innovative results to stakeholders and policymakers.
• Improve capacity building with partner organisations through participatory and bottom-up processes.

Take up research topics that benefit the Alpine Convention and advise responsible authorities on matters concerning the Convention.

• Contribute to the Alpine Convention as an active observer and interact with its bodies (e.g. Presidency, Permanent Secretariat, SOIA, working groups, platforms, conferences).
• Share knowledge and promote sustainable development in the Alpine space.