On June 2 and 3, UNE hosted the Assembly of the UArctic in Innovation Hall in Portland. The UArctic is a consortium of more than 165 institutions and universities focused on the sustainable and just development of the Arctic and the North. UNE became a member of the UArctic in 2018. The Assembly, which is the annual business meeting of the UArctic, was co-hosted by the University of Southern Maine, University of New Hampshire, the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine and Dartmouth College.
UNE, through UNE North, has taken a leadership role within the UArctic, co-creating and leading to thematic research networks: Ocean Food Systems and Bioregional Planning for Resilient Rural Communities. UArctic Thematic Research Networks require the leadership of three UArctic member institutions, but are open to non-UArctic partners as well. These networks cover a broad range of topics from environmental and human health, to rural education, to governance and diplomacy. The complete list of UArctic thematic networks can be found here. UNE faculty and students are encouraged to reach out to network leads for information about current projects and to build your research networks.
As part of the programming for the Assembly, the New England Arctic Network hosted a successful research symposium on June 2. The symposium featured a multi-disciplinary display of research and scholarship from the arts and humanities to life and physical sciences. The full list of presenters can be accessed here. UNE was very well represented by student and faculty research. The symposium’s highlight was a emerging researcher panels of graduate students from UNH, UMO, USM and UNE. Lauren Hayden, a MSc candidate in Marine Science represented UNE. Moderated by Associate Provost for Research and Scholarship Dr. Karen Houseknecht, the panel discussion was vibrant and hopeful. All of the researchers shared their aspirations for their work and spoke to the challenges they see to move their work forward in an equitable and just way. This truly inspiring discussion can be viewed here.
Finally, symposium keynote speaker, Dr. Trevor Bell of Memorial University, Newfoundland, spoke to his collaboration with Inuit communities in Nunavut to create a data-driven social enterprise, SmartIce, that combines traditional knowledge with technology to support the safe travel of Inuit peoples. Dr. Bell has been recognized by UArctic and the Arctic Circle Assembly with the inaugural Frederick Paulson Award for this work that not only creates immediate impact in terms of community safety and health, but also creates a transformative model for deep collaboration across cultures. His full presentation is available here.
Both the UArctic and New England Arctic Network are fantastic opportunities for UNE faculty and students to become engaged with sustainable development projects across the North Atlantic and Arctic. If you would like to learn more, contact Holly Parker at UNE North!