Northern Retreat | 2026 edition
About the training
November 11–13, 2026
Preliminary schedule coming soon
Institut nordique du Québec Scientific Complex (Université Laval Campus)
Please note that the training features content in both English and French. An AI-powered simultaneous translation service, requiring a smartphone (not provided), will be available upon request.
This training aims to bring together faculty members, research professionals, and postdoctoral researchers from the research community around contemporary and transdisciplinary northern issues. It will equip participants in their northern research activities while offering a privileged networking space in a safe and friendly environment.
The retreat offers an interactive learning space promoting exchanges between scientific knowledge, practical skills, and Indigenous knowledge. Notably, it aims to support the research community in the development of more inclusive projects, rooted in respectful and sustainable collaborations with Indigenous partners.
Who the Retreat is For
Faculty Members
Research Professionals
Postdoctoral Researchers
Research Staff in Northern Contexts
Four Core Themes
These themes were determined based on the needs expressed by the INQ community.
Best Practices in Northern Research
Partnership Research, Particularly with Indigenous Communities
Indigenous Cultures and Knowledge
Challenges of Multidisciplinary Research in Northern Contexts
What the Retreat Offers
The detailed schedule will be announced soon. Here are the main components of the program.
Small-Group Hands-on Workshops
Concrete workspaces to equip participants in their research activities.
Keynotes and Testimonies
Presentations by researchers and knowledge holders on northern issues.
Building Respectful and Sustainable Collaborations
Discussions informed by the updated version of the Guides for Research in Northern Environments.
Networking
A privileged networking space among members of the northern research community.
Project Co-creation
Dedicated time to brainstorm and develop more collaborative projects.
Bilingual Content
French and English, with simultaneous AI translation available upon request.
Registration Fees
Registration fees include lunches and coffee breaks. Hotel nights are not included, but a preferential rate has been negotiated at the Lindbergh Hotel (Reservation Procedure).
Affiliated scientist or employee of an INQ partner
For scientists affiliated with INQ, members of their team, and staff of partner organizations.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Rate dedicated to postdoctoral fellows within the northern research community.
Person external to the INQ network
For any interested individual outside the Institut nordique du Québec network.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
Retreat Objectives
- Provide participants with guidance for ethical, respectful, and meaningful northern research practices, as well as establishing and maintaining connections with northern communities.
- Offer concrete benchmarks for participants wishing to engage in collaborative approaches with Indigenous partners.
- Provide a forum for discussion on the essential elements defining northern regions and present a vision of key issues in northern territories.
- Encourage cross-sectoral networking, knowledge transfer, participatory research, and the emergence of new collaborations.
Expected Outcomes
- Through the presentation of "model" partnership projects between researchers and Indigenous actors, and through discussions, participants will gain a better understanding of local issues specific to northern communities and deepen approaches and methods enabling the development of successful partnerships beneficial to all parties involved.
- Through conferences, activities, and experience-sharing during the retreat, participants will deepen their knowledge of Indigenous cultures and knowledge, and more broadly, of northern territories.
- Participants will have the necessary tools to interact with local communities when developing collaborative projects, in order to best meet the population's needs and implement appropriate methodologies to achieve this.
- Participants will be able to expand their network of expertise in Quebec and the rest of Canada by benefiting from the presence of Quebec and Canadian researchers and partners from northern communities.
Book Your Spot Today!
To foster conviviality and exchanges, the group is restricted to 35 people.
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