NNA Community Newsletter

June 2023 Issue

• Upcoming Webinar: Making Arctic Science Open Science
• AGU Abstract Submission Deadline
• Alaska STEAM Collaboration
• Learn & Connect: Science Storytelling Series - Creating Stories that Stick
• Position Available: Tribal Research Coordinator with Kawerak, Inc.
• NNA Project Highlight: Systems Approaches to Understanding and Navigating the New Arctic (SAUNNA)
• Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinar: Making Arctic Science Open Science

September 26, 2023 | 11:00am-12:00pm AKT / 1:00-2:00pm MT / 3:00-4:00pm ET

How can we make Arctic social and environmental science open science? Join the NNA-CO for this one-hour virtual event to discuss approaches to open science in the context of collaborative and convergent research in the Arctic, while upholding Indigenous data sovereignty.

Registration is required. Please register here.

AGU Abstract Submission Deadline

The AGU Fall Meeting 2023 will take place December 11-15, 2023 in San Francisco, CA and online. Abstract submissions close at 23:59 p.m. ET/03:59 +1 GMT on August 2, 2023. Please consider submitting an abstract to the session on effective ways of engaging diverse learners in Arctic science (ED004). This session is led by the NNA-CO’s Anne Gold and Elena Sparrow, along with NNA-CO Indigenous Advisory Board member, Malinda Chase.

Alaska STEAM Collaboration

The AK STEAM Collaboration is a partnership of the Navigating the New Arctic Community Office and University of Alaska Fairbanks’ International Arctic Research Center in partnership with the Alaska Science Teachers Association. This quarterly newsletter shares Alaska and Arctic-focused opportunities and resources with over 300 educators in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. 

We’d like to feature your classroom activities or opportunities in our upcoming August newsletter! Send us your resources, events, or opportunities to be included in the next newsletter in this submission form. Sign up to receive the quarterly newsletter here. 

Learn & Connect: Science Storytelling Series - Creating Stories that Stick

Position Available: Tribal Research Coordinator with Kawerak, Inc.

Kawerak, Inc. is accepting applications for a Tribal Research Coordinator based out of Nome, AK. The Tribal Research Coordinator is responsible for staying up-to-date on Arctic research trends and research activities taking place in the Bering Strait region; for communicating with Bering Strait region Tribal governments about research activities taking place in the region; assisting Tribes in communicating with research entities (individuals, institutions, funders, agencies, etc.); and developing research partnerships and networks, as appropriate. The Coordinator will also assist with research projects, grant writing, the creation of products based on Social Science Program research, and writing comment letters to various bodies. Learn more here.

Deadline: Open until filled.

NNA Project Highlight

Systems Approaches to Understanding and Navigating the New Arctic (SAUNNA)

The Systems Approaches to Understanding and Navigating the New Arctic (SAUNNA) National Research Traineeship (NRT) at the University of Maine is focused on the challenges of complex socio-environmental changes in the Arctic. The program trains the next generation of Arctic scientists using a systems-science approach coupled with integration of local and Indigenous knowledges. Team members work collaboratively with local partners to investigate a broad range of challenges and opportunities throughout Southwest Greenland, the Arctic North Atlantic, and Maine.

Each year, SAUNNA NRT trainees participate in a multi-week summer field experience in an area of Southwest Greenland. Under the guidance of SAUNNA faculty and local partners, students engage in two training modules: 1) an introductory, multi-disciplinary survey of socio-environmental systems and 2) team-science research activities focused on locally relevant topics.

The SAUNNA team is currently working with representatives from the local sheep farmers’ collective in Southwest Greenland to address challenges (e.g., drought, issues of water quantity and quality for irrigation) and opportunities (e.g., new environmental monitoring schemes, agritourism, etc.). They are also engaging with the local fishing community and managers of the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore opportunities for research collaboration to support their mission.

The team is also pleased to be collaborating with the CARPE NRT (University of New Hampshire) and Tamamta NRT (University of Alaska Fairbanks) programs with the support of a recent NNA supplement that will allow the programs to expand engagement with Indigenous groups, organize workshops, and advance best practices in conducting stakeholder-engaged research.



For more information, please contact Dr. Jasmine Saros (Director, SAUNNA NRT) at jasmine.saros@maine.edu, visit the program website, or watch this video about the 2022 Greenland Field Experience. 

Article submitted by the SAUNNA NRT team.

Upcoming Events

Science Storytelling Series - Creating Stories that Stick

• July 19, 2023 | 11am AKT / 1pm MT / 3pm ET

Indigenous Evaluation Training

• Summer 2023 (Exact date/time TBD)

Open Science Webinar: Making Arctic Science Open Science

• September 26, 2023 | 11am AKT / 1pm MT / 3pm ET

AGU AGU Session on “Arctic Education & Outreach - Effective Ways of Engaging Diverse Learners in Arctic Science (ED004)

• December 11-15, 2023 (Exact date/time TBD)

Science Storytelling Series - Creating Virtual Tours with Infiniscope

• January 25, 2024 | 10am AKT / 12pm MT / 2pm ET

2024 NNA Annual Community Meeting

• March 5-7, 2024