SCAR and its Arctic counterpart IASC (International Arctic Science Committee) have now issued the plan of sessions for the joint SCAR/IASC IPY Open Science Conference that will take place in St Petersburg, mind Russia, on 8-11 July 2008. Natural and social scientists are invited to present abstracts under a series of session headings that address the themes of the International Polar Year. Abstracts are due by January 15. For information on the sessions see the First Circular at http://www.scar.org; further details are available from the conference web site at  http://www.scar-iasc-ipy2008.org, where information regarding registration, accommodation and visas will soon be posted.