Summer Field Course: Global to Local Interactions: Social-Ecological Resilience in a Rapidly Changing North

Summer Field Course: Global to Local Interactions: Social-Ecological Resilience in a Rapidly Changing North

University of Alaska

July 7-19, 2009

 

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.  Experience firsthand efforts of arctic science through interaction with researchers work­• ing in the North.

Build a network of young scholars who share an interest in high latitudes sustainability.

 

Interacting forces of change to be explored:

Climate change and human adaptation•

Industrial development and applications of adaptive management•

Mixed cash-subsistence economics of indigenous rural villages•

Energy and infrastructure in communities•

Protected areas management•

 

Frameworks:

Social-ecological resilience with systems thinking•

Vulnerability Analysis •

Stewardship approach to resource management •

Integrating disciplinary approaches in research•

Working in collaborative teams•

 

Criteria for acceptance: 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 the applicants' interest in issues of global change, northern sustainabil­ity, social-ecological interactions, and interdisciplinary training. Experience doing research in high latitudes is preferred but not required.

 

Group Size: ~15 students and four instructors

 

Instructors: Gary Kofinas, Associate Professor of Resource Policy and Management, School of Natural Resources and Institute of Arctic Biology, UAF; Terry Chapin, Professor of Ecology, Insti­tute of Arctic Biology and Department of Wildlife and Biology, UAF, Vladimir Alexeev, Research Associate Professor, International Arctic Research Center, UAF, with one other instructor TBA.

 

Note about group learning and living: Students are expected to engage fully in a rigorous work, study, camping, and group living environment.

 

Fellowships: Fellowships may be available for selected students for travel from their home institution.

 

For more information:

Please visit us online at: http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/summer/2009/

Or contact: Tohru Saito, saito@iarc.uaf.edu, 907-474-1544

 

How to Apply: Fill out the registration form available at

http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/summer/2009/ and submit the following:

1) a two-page essay describing your current thesis research, your interest in the course topic, how your participation will contribute to your training and education;

2) Two letters of reference, with at least one being your thesis advisor;

3) a copy of your CV;

4) one example that illustrates your work as a young scholar (optional).

 

Application deadline: March 1, 2009. Selections will be made by March 31, 2009.

Applications should be sent to:

Tohru Saito

PO Box 757335

Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7340 USA

or by email (all documents should be PDF format): saito@iarc.uaf.edu

 

 

This project is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, its IGERT Program, and the International Arctic Research Center.