As the polar regions undergo rapid change, planning for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY5) offers a pivotal opportunity to shape global polar research and advance understanding. Exploring Key Research Topics for the Fifth International Polar Year: Proceedings of a Workshop captures expert dialogue on the scientific priorities, operational needs, and collaborative frameworks that could define this ambitious international effort.The workshop convened leaders across disciplines to identify transformative research questions and monitoring strategies aligned with U.S. and international engagement in IPY5. Participants examined advances since the last IPY, including developments in remote sensing, autonomous observing systems, modeling, and machine learning. Discussions emphasized critical topics such as sea-level rise and grounding-zone processes, permafrost carbon feedbacks, ocean–ice interactions, marine ecosystems, space weather, wildfire, and the integration of atmosphere, ocean, ice, and land systems.Beyond scientific priorities, the proceedings highlight the human and institutional capacity required for success. Contributors explored international coordination models, data interoperability, Indigenous leadership and data sovereignty, community-based observing networks, and pathways for early-career researchers to lead IPY-scale efforts. The result is a forward-looking roadmap that connects polar science to societal outcomes, from coastal risk management and infrastructure planning to environmental services, forecasting, and decision supporting the groundwork for a bold and collaborative IPY5 vision.
