Community-driven research on marine harvested and farmed species

Interface of Change is the sixth phase of Alaska NSF EPSCoR. A $20-million award from the National Science Foundation funds this statewide, five-year project to build capacity for co-developed, use-inspired research across the Gulf of Alaska.

Resilience in the Gulf of Alaska

Interface of Change centers partnerships between researchers, Gulf of Alaska community members, Tribes, educators, and entrepreneurs. Through these connections, project participants work collaboratively to investigate the resilience of marine species that are critical to the subsistence way of life as well as developments in the mariculture economy in the Gulf of Alaska. 

 

 

Partnering with Gulf of Alaska coastal communities

Interface of Change brings together researchers from the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Alaska Southeast in partnership with Gulf of Alaska community members from Seldovia, Homer, Cordova, Valdez, Juneau, Haines, and Klukwan.

We're looking for people who hold an interest in coastal ecologies, food security, and developing economies in this region to get involved in the Interface of Change project. We offer opportunities to provide feedback on our work, funding, and we invite collaboration. We welcome you to reach out if you are interested in partnering with us. 

 

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Project News

Community Workshops, Field Data and Mini Science Olympiads

Alaska EPSCoR traveled to the Chilkat Valley and Seldovia this month to host annual community participatory workshops for the Interface of Change project as well as mini Science Olympiad events in the local schools.

Apr 18

Alaska EPSCoR traveled to the Chilkat Valley and Seldovia this month to host annual community participatory workshops for the Interface of Change project as well as mini Science Olympiad events in the local schools.

Mar 31

Alaska EPSCoR is hosting three annual Interface of Chance project community workshops in April in Klukwan, Haines, and Seldovia for residents to learn and engage with local, community-driven research. Workshops will have dinner, door prizes, and dialogue around observations of change in coastal environments, harvest, communities, and local economies around the Gulf of Alaska.

Photo courtesy of Schery Umanzor
Schery Umanzor holds up a red seaweed species. Umanzor is investigating how climate-driven environmental changes impact red seaweed growth.

Mar 13

The Alaska NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Interface of Change project is soliciting proposals for seed grants from researchers, students, and project partners to carry out new and innovative research projects that support Interface of Change goals. Seed award projects should address themes relevant to the EPSCoR “Interface of Change” project.

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Research Areas

Red Seaweeds

Southeast Alaska
Haines and Klukwan

Mariculture Biofouling

Northern Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound
Kachemak Bay and Cordova

Closeup of a clam
Bivalves

Northern Gulf of Alaska
Seldovia and Homer

Anadromous Fish

Gulf-wide
Candidate study watersheds include the Chilkat River, Copper River, Taku River, Auke Creek, and Berners River

Community Well-being

Gulf-wide
Homer, Seldovia, Seldovia Village, Valdez, Cordova, Haines, Klukwan

Building STEM Capacity for Alaskans