Permafrost regions occupy approximately 22% of the planet's land surface. Warming of permafrost lands and subsequent degradation of ice -rich terrains are of scientific, engineering and related societal concerns. During the IPY intensive regional and site specific campaigns were initiated to document the current status of permafrost, active layer and associated processes in both hemispheres and included the status and fate of soil carbon and erosion of ice-rich coastlines. Papers and posters in this session are invited on regional syntheses and site specific research of the IPY projects with emphasis on thermal state of permafrost and active layer dynamics. Results of modeling and mapping approaches are invited. Over 50 individual permafrost projects (EoI) as well as national and multi-national programs were proposed for the IPY, and we encourage those researchers to contribute including members of the Permafrost Young Researchers Network.