The Queen’s Northern Research Symposium is a student-run symposium bringing together researchers from across and beyond Queen's to celebrate northern research across disciplines. This event provides a unique platform for students to share their research, connect with peers, and gain deeper insights into the challenges and opportunities in northern research.
The Queen’s Northern Research Symposium (QNRS) will include a wide range of topics that address the imperatives, challenges, and opportunities of contemporary Arctic research.
Keynote Lecture: Interacting effects of mining legacies and climate change on metal(loid) cycling in northern environments" with Dr. Mike Palmer.
Mike Palmer is the Senior Aquatic Scientist at the Aurora Research Institute in Yellowknife, NT and an adjunct professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Queen’s University.
Mike is a physical geographer by training, with broad interests related to the chemical response of lakes to human activities, including mining impacts and climate change.
Mike leads a small research team that collaborates widely with universities, government agencies and communities. The research team uses techniques from a wide variety of disciplines, such as limnology, hydrology, and geochemistry to address pressing environmental issues in the North.
We welcome submissions from any student within or outside Queen's, studying any topic related to the north, including physical, biological, health, and social sciences, and humanities. Presentations can focus on research results, or any aspect of northern research practice, including community engagement and reconciliation efforts. We have oral and poster presentation options, as well as a new lightning talk option!
The 2026 Queen's Northern Research Symposium is organized by the Queen's Northern Research Network, an interdisciplinary community dedicated to fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and best practices in northern research.
Sponsors:
- Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's University
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University
- Department of Geologic Sciences and Geologic Engineering
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There will be three presentation formats at QNRS 2025.
- Oral presentation: Oral presentations will be between 10-12 minutes, typically accompanied by a slide deck. Presentations will be organized into themed sessions, with a few minutes for questions after each presentation.
- Poster presentation: Posters will be displayed throughout the symposium and presented during dedicated poster sessions. Conference attendees will have the chance to view the different posters, meet the presenters, and ask questions. Posters can present research results, or anything else that fits on a poster board, including photos or artwork. .
- Lightning talks *New this year*: Maximum 3 minute talks with at most one slide, given one after the other, with discussion afterwards. This is a great option for anyone presenting on proposed research, or who'd like to highlight a specific aspect of their work. .
We welcome submissions from any domain of northern research, including physical, social, life, and health sciences. Presentations can focus on research results, or any aspect of northern research practice, including community engagement and reconciliation efforts.