Greenland is an important research site for scientists from around the world. As the Arctic warms at twice the rate of the rest of the world, the Greenland Ice Sheet is discharging significant amounts of freshwater to the oceans. This makes Greenland a critical research site for understanding feedbacks to the climate system and sea level rise. The Greenland Ice Sheet also contains essential information for understanding Earth’s past and present climate. It serves as a pristine and remote laboratory for astronomy and astrophysics research and year-round observations of climatic and atmospheric variables. Greenland’s social-ecological and coupled human-natural tundra ecosystems are also bellwethers of climate-driven social, cultural, environmental, and ecological change. Greenland is rich in historical, cultural and sociological information that can contribute to how human beings and the communities they live in thrive and adapt to environmental conditions. With recognition of the importance of research in these and other disciplines, institutions in the U.S. and Greenland sponsor a significant amount of scientific research in Greenland (see Greenland and U.S. Research Institutions).

There is significant interest from the U.S. and Greenland research communities in working together to address questions related to global processes, environmental change, and social response. Greenland’s policy is to promote the development of its society with a strong and sound international research program based on shared objectives. Greenland’s Parliament Act no. 5 of 29 November 2013 addresses research consultancy and the allocation of research funding. The Act emphasizes coordination and prioritization of research efforts and enhancing Greenland’s participation in international cooperative research initiatives. Most work by Greenland researchers has direct relevance to society and is located almost exclusively along de-glaciated coastal areas on issues related to natural resources. In contrast, most U.S. researchers, particularly natural and physical scientists, are based on the ice sheet or in remote field camps away from population centers. They collect data and then depart, having had little, if any, contact with Greenland scientists and communities. The U.S. institutions that fund this research include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Smithsonian Institution (SI), and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO).

Examples of successful collaborations exist, especially between Greenland researchers and U.S. social scientists who are working to understand the vast cultural and societal changes that are taking place in Greenland as a result of colonialization, modernization, globalization, and climate change (see Examples of Co-Produced Research). If natural and physical scientists wish to engage with communities on research and outreach, they must cultivate the skills and expertise held by social scientists. These include understanding and overcoming language barriers, cultural competency, and training in the ethical conduct of research with human subjects. These steps will make U.S. research in Greenland less of a unilateral, foreign pursuit that it is invisible to the public and can resolve questions and concerns that local citizens have regarding U.S. scientific presence in Greenland.

Both research communities seek a network and other mechanisms for sharing interests and ideas, co-developing research questions, and learning about existing research infrastructure and institutions. Collaborative efforts will help produce research and knowledge that is relevant to and communicated with communities and key stakeholders in Greenland. Working on collaborative research endeavors with students through education exchanges and training, with particular emphasis on civic collaboration, will prepare a future generation for working in this updated framework. The Greenland-U.S. relationship will strengthen if projects are tailored to meet the needs of local communities and Greenland citizens can better understand U.S. scientific presence in Greenland. This is especially important given that Greenland is still in the process of emerging from its colonial past.

Developing new approaches to Arctic research, through cooperation with scientists, communities, and stakeholders in Greenland, is a unique opportunity to contribute to “Navigating the New Arctic,” one of the National Science Foundation’s 10 Big Ideas. A research framework for Greenland that involves: 1) co-production by members of the U.S. and Greenland research communities, and 2) increased community engagement and student education, will place the U.S. and Greenland at the cutting edge of Arctic research. This will lead to significant advancements in understanding Earth systems and processes; cultural and social determinants of health, well-being, adaptation and survival in Greenlandic communities; and a critical examination of the ecological and economic impacts of rapid Arctic change.