ICASS X is postponed to June 2021

Dear IASSA members and ICASS X participants,

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IASSA Council has voted unanimously to postpone ICASS X to June 2021.

We feel that holding ICASS X in person is important for our Association as it is only held on a triennial basis and is a significant event for social scientists, humanities scholars and Indigenous knowledge holders in the Arctic. Postponing ICASS X to June 2021 will provide the Association with an opportunity to host the meeting in a safe and productive environment. In this decision we are also following the recommendations of the Russia’s health authorities to refrain from holding large conferences in the near term.

The postponement of ICASS X means that there will be no IASSA General Assembly and therefore, per our current bylaws, no elections until June 2021. Because of this, the terms of the current IASSA Council and President will be extended by one year, along with the deadlines for bids to run for IASSA President and Council in the next election. All applications received to date will be rolled over, unless amended or withdrawn by the applicants.

In addition, all memberships paid between June 12, 2017 and June 19, 2020 will be extended by one year (i.e. will be valid for 4 years).

In the next 7 days the ICASS X Organizing Committee will send further information about the following items:

All updates will also be posted at icass.uni.edu 

1.       Exact dates of ICASS X in June 2021

2.       The process for refunding any registration fees already paid

3.       The status of accepted abstracts

4.       An official letter of postponement to provide to your organizations, airlines, hotels or travel agencies (by request)

5.       Any online activities scheduled in June 2020 during the Congress original dates (June 15-19)

We wish the best to all IASSA members and ICASS participants during this challenging time, and hope to see you in Arkhangelsk in June 2021. 

--Members of the IASSA Council