In November 2025, the NSERC PermafrostNet network concluded its transformative six-year journey with a celebration at Carleton University’s Advanced Research and Innovation in Smart Environments (ARISE) Building in Ottawa, bringing together researchers, community members, partners and supporting organizations. The finale event marks a significant moment in Canadian research with the end of the first strategic national partnership to address thawing permafrost.
The evening began with welcomes and introductions from Elham Gharji, the NSERC CREATE LEAP Program Coordinator, followed by presentations from Janet King (PermafrostNet Board Chair), Rafik Goubran (VP Research & International at Carleton University), and Tristan MacLean (Director of Operations), who shared perspectives on the network’s accomplishments, institutional support, and quantified impact. After an intermission featuring networking and refreshments, the evening continued with Ramona Pearson providing an inspiring talk about Scotty Creek Research Station, followed by Olivia Meier-Legault reflecting on the student experience and training legacy, and Stephan Gruber, the Scientific Director, concluding the evening with remarks on the network’s vision and future directions.
PermafrostNet’s strength lay in its collaborative structure, connecting 16 co-investigators from 12 universities, 40+ partner organizations, and 200+ active network members spanning government, Indigenous communities, and industry. The evening highlighted the capabilities developed, relationships established, and knowledge products created by the network, and how they will continue serving Canada’s climate adaptation needs for years to come. As the network concludes, its legacy persists through continued initiatives like CREATE LEAP, PermaRail and through the next generation of permafrost researchers shaped by this collaborative vision.
