In September 2008 the 1st S4D-workshop 'Modelling coupled social-ecological responses to climate variability and change in Arctic marine systems' brought together a small group of natural and social scientists, as well as modeling experts to discuss some of the methodological opportunities and challenges associated with understanding and modeling of coupled social-ecological responses to climate variability and change in Arctic marine systems.

It successfully provided a forum for the SEARCH and DAMOCLES (Developing Arctic Modeling and Observing Capabilities for Long-term Environmental Studies) scientific communities to inform one another of their respective activities, discuss different approaches to similar research topics, and plan future collaboration - the impact of climate variability and change on human communities which is a common research theme within the three international research programmes DAMOCLES, SEARCH and S4D (SEARCHforDAMOCLES).

For information on the 2008 workshop, please look here.

In 2009 we will continue this effort with the '2nd S4D workshop 'Modelling coupled social-ecological responses to climate variability and change in Arctic marine systems'.

The second S4D workshop is a continuation of this effort and will focus on a set of key questions, set out below, whilst attempting to broaden the perspectives, and nationalities, represented at the workshop.

The intended outcome of the workshop will be a set of answers to the key questions, defined in advance, and fostering of progress both within and beyond the DAMOCLES, SEARCH and S4D communities with respect to the human dimension of change in the Arctic.