UA Arctic Leadership Initiative
Did you know that over the last 100 years the University of Alaska has built a tremendous foundation in Arctic research and education?
This "Empower Alaska" video features the University of Alaska's role in the global Arctic. It is and will continue to be critically important for the university to collaboratively build strategic and scientific knowledge and exert its role in the global Arctic.
University of Alaska is building a powerful network of Arctic leaders and scholars who can make a global-scale impact in the Arctic, support Indigenous communities, address climate change, and responsibly pursue economic opportunities.
What is the Arctic Leadership Initiative? Launching in FY2025, participants at all career and academic levels will deepen their leadership skills, create robust professional networks, and work with external partners and UA experts to solve problems.
Core Elements:
- Cohorts of undergraduate and graduate students will work with external partners to address Arctic needs and opportunities.
- Students will enhance analytical and leadership skills in retreats and group projects.
- Internships and circumpolar exchanges will deepen Arctic expertise and provide real-time professional development opportunities.
- New Arctic Field Schools will expand public participation in summer intensives and seminars for working professionals.
- UA will promote Arctic accomplishments and opportunities.
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Rasmuson Foundation Resumes Grantmaking, Issues $5.75M for UA, Housing, and Cultural Projects
July 17, 2024The $5 million grant to support the Arctic Leadership Initiative follows from the foundation asking UA president Pat Pitney in 2021 for big ideas to catalyze.Read Grant Article -
Three University of Alaska professors appointed as Arctic program leaders
July 15, 2024Three professors, each representing one of the three main University of Alaska campuses, have been named as special liaisons to coordinate Arctic studies though the university system and elsewhere in the state.Read Arctic Professors article -
New Arctic Engagement Award Recipients Announced
July 12, 2024Four proposals from across the UA system will receive Arctic Engagement Award funding as UA launches the Arctic Leadership Initiative.Read Arctic Engagement Award article
Funding Opportunities
(FY25 applications are closed)
Arctic Engagement Awards - Purpose: Expand UA’s Arctic engagement and visibility. A wide array of possible activities is eligible including research, curriculum development, student engagement, participation in a thematic network, support an exchange student, and more.
President’s Arctic Professors - Purpose: Showcase and advance UA’s Arctic engagement in Alaska, nationally, and internationally.
Postdoctoral Fellow and Early Career Faculty Opportunity - University of Alaska (UA) is recruiting 4 full-time postdocs and early career faculty
to help shape and implement a new Arctic Leadership Initiative and expand our research
and education capacity.
Steering Committee Members
- Pearl Brower, Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC)
- Nancy Dahlstrom, Lt. Governor
- Bryce Edgemon, Representative District 37
- Jocelyn Fenton, Denali Commission
- Matt Hickey, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
- Rachel Kallander, Arctic Encounter Symposium
- Molly McCammon, Alaska Ocean Observing System
- Cheryl Rosa, US Arctic Research Commission
- Raina Thiele, Department of Interior
Ex Officio
- Daniel White, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Sean Parnell, University of Alaska Anchorage
- Aparna Palmer, University of Alaska Southeast
For more information, contact program coordinator Susan Bell at skbell@alaska.edu