Course objectives include:

  • Explore issues of rapid change, resilience, and sustainability in the context of Alaska’s interior and arctic regions through the interdisciplinary lens of social-ecological systems.
  • Learn firsthand about efforts of arctic science through interaction with researchers working in the North; interact with local residents of an Alaskan village to discuss the implications of change to rural livelihoods.
  • Build a network of young scholars who share an interest in high latitudes sustainability.
The course is open to graduate students currently enrolled in PhD and masters programs. US citizens and international students are encouraged to apply. Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s interest and experience in issues of global change, northern sustainability, social-ecological interactions, and interdisciplinary training. Approximately 15 students will be accepted.

Most course expenses including travel and lodging in Alaska are provided to all participants through fellowships. Some stipends for travel to Alaska will be provided.

More information about the course and about the application process is available at http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/summer/2009/. Applications are due 1 March 2009 and selections will be made by 31 March 2009.

The instructional team include Dr Gary Kofinas (School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, UAF), Dr Terry Chapin (Department of Biology and Wildlife, UAF), Dr Vladimir Alexeev (IARC, UAF), and a fourth instructor TBA. The Resilience and Adaptation Program at UAF is part of the UArctic IPY Higher Education and Outreach project cluster.