Nominations for two Executive Committee members and for the Lifetime Achievement Award
As discussed at the 32nd IPA Council Meeting, two important items of IPA business will require attention in the coming months. IPA member countries are encouraged to inform their communities and to consider potential nominations, contributions, and suggestions as appropriate.
First, we will need to elect two new members to the IPA Executive Committee in June 2026. Although the full EC turns over every four years, elections are held every two years so that only 40–60% of members change at any given time. Mid-term elections are normally conducted during RCOP. Two EC members, Ed Yamak and FujunNiu, will complete their terms in June 2026, creating two vacancies that must be filled in the upcoming election. We have a Nominations and Awards Committee (NAC) in place and they need nominations from Council members.
Second, the IPA will make a Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2026 during the 3rd Asian Conference on Permafrost (ACOP) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We invite nominations until the 15th of February 2026. Nominations for this award should also be forwarded to the NAC. The nomination process for the award has to be supported by a citation and letters of support. The nominations are made directly by the IPA member countries and need to be supported by at least three individuals from three different countries. This award is the highest recognition of the IPA. Service to the IPA is one criterion that may be cited. Contributions to the disciplines of permafrost science and/or engineering are critical for a nomination. The nomination form is available on the website (link).
If you are interested in nominating an individual, please contact the relevant county representative and use the attached form to prepare your nomination. The list of IPA Council Members in charge of the nominations is available on the IPA website (link).
Please send both your nominations for Executive Committee members and for the Lifetime Achievement Award to the IPA Secretariat at secretariat@permafrost.org (c/o Lin Chen) before February 15, 2026.