International Arctic Research Center (IARC)
http://www.iarc.uaf.edu

Resilience and Adaptation Program (RAP)
http://www.rap.uaf.edu

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

Location:  International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA

Dates:  July 7-19, 2009

Course Objectives were to:

• 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-latitude sustainability.

Interacting forces of change 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

Criteria for acceptance: The course was open to graduate students enrolled in Ph.D. and masters programs. US citizens and international students were encouraged to apply. Applications were evaluated based on the applicants’ interest in issues of global change, northern sustainability, social-ecological interactions, and interdisciplinary training. Experience doing research in high latitudes was preferred but not required.

Group Size: ~15 students and four instructors

Instructors: Gary Kofinas, Associate Professor of Resource Policy and Management, Department of Resources Management 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.

Note about group learning and living: Students were expected to engage fully in a rigorous work, study, camping, and group living environment. In June, students received course readings, which were to be completed before course began. During the course each student made a presentation about his or her own research project and participated with other students in a team project focused on a subject related to the course. 

Fellowships: Most course expenses including travel and lodging in Alaska were provided to all participants. Some stipends for travel to Alaska were provided.

Course Schedule:

UAF Campus (2 days)

• Orientation; lectures and discussions with UAF faculty and other specialists
• Students shared aspects of their own thesis research

Bonanza Creek Long-term Research Program (LTER)

• Moose and fire ecology (1 day)

Dalton Hwy and Wiseman / Coldfoot, Alaska (1 day)

• Plant ecology with climate change
• Issues facing a village on the road system
• National Park management and ecological monitoring

Toolik Lake Field Station (1 day)

• Global processes (flux; watershed ecology, thermokarst)

Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay (1 day)

• Oil field facilities
• Fish and wildlife of the North Slope, Alaska

Village Alaska (3 days)

• Local observations and adaptation to change
• Energy, climate change, and human migration
• Local observations and adaptation to change
• Policy issues affecting village sustainability

UAF Campus (2 days)

• Wrap up
• Group Synthesis Project
• Presentations on reflections
• Free time in Fairbanks