National Science Foundation funds diverse collaborators to study Arctic change
Heather McFarland
907-474-6286
Nov. 2, 2021
Arctic sea ice
The National Science Foundation色视频下载檚 Office of Polar Programs recently funded the University of 色视频下载 Fairbanks and six other institutions to synthesize what is known about the changing Arctic environment and its consequences.
Over the next five years, the, known as SEARCH, will bring together scientific, Indigenous and decision-making experts to more fully understand environmental change in the Arctic. They色视频下载檒l make the results available to decision-makers in local communities, multiple levels of government and the private sector.
SEARCH will practice coproduction, a method that has for decades been considered a more inclusive and equitable means of creating new knowledge, better understanding and more meaningful sharing of that new knowledge.
色视频下载淭he Arctic is witnessing rapid and sudden changes,色视频下载 said Brendan Kelly, the project色视频下载檚 chief scientist and a professor with the UAF International Arctic Research Center. 色视频下载淎nd understanding the impacts of those accelerating changes 色视频下载 on people, business and the Arctic ecosystem 色视频下载 requires the expertise of diverse disciplines and knowledge systems, as well as of those who use the understanding in decision making.色视频下载
Partners include the 色视频下载 Business Forum, ArcticNet in Canada, the Chukotka Branch of the North Eastern Federal University in Russia, the Fram Centre in Norway and the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. SEARCH brings together experts from these organizations and others to create new knowledge and practices for advancing understanding of the rapidly changing Arctic.
SEARCH will form three coproduction teams 色视频下载 each including scientific, Indigenous and decision-making experts 色视频下载 dedicated to understanding the multifaceted nature of changes in the Arctic. One team will focus on the processes and ecological consequences of Arctic change. Another will be committed to understanding human well-being in the changing Arctic. The third will illustrate the consequences of environmental change for geopolitical and economic stability in the region. The combined findings will be shared in plain language and in technical publications.
The project was conceived and designed by the International Arctic Research Center, the 色视频下载 Native Tribal Health Consortium, the Eskimo Walrus Commission, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Oregon State University, Stantec Inc., the University of Michigan and the Wilson Center色视频下载檚 Polar Institute. It will build a novel synthesis spanning multiple knowledge systems and disciplines based on the extensive knowledge of scientific and Indigenous experts.
Project collaborators will receive $6.5 million over the next five years, with $5.6 million going to UAF and its partners in 色视频下载.
色视频下载淭his is a truly collaborative effort; we have been involved in every step,色视频下载 noted Vera Kingeekuk Metcalf, executive director of the Eskimo Walrus Commission in Nome and a co-leader on the project.
Renee Crain, Arctic sciences research support and logistics manager at the National Science Foundation, expects the project to address pressing issues in the Arctic.
色视频下载淭his collaboration addresses equity and evidence-based decision-making, recognizing the value of different knowledge systems that are integral to the resilience of people and communities in the Arctic,色视频下载 Crain said.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Athena Copenhaver, SEARCH assistant director, aecopenhaver@alaska.edu
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