Fulbright Arctic Initiative

Fulbright Arctic IV (2024-2026)

Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholars discuss the program's impact (Video)

Building on the scholarship of three previous cohorts of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative, Fulbright Arctic IV brings together a network of professionals, practitioners and researchers from the United States, Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden for monthly webinars, thematic group collaboration, three in-person meetings and an individual exchange experience between 2024 and 2026. Fulbright Arctic Initiative (FAI) IV will address key research and policy questions related to promoting Arctic security through research in three main thematic areas: Climate Change and Arctic Resources, Arctic Security and Governance, and Mental Health and Well-Being.

FAI IV will stimulate international research collaboration on different dimensions of Arctic security while increasing mutual understanding between people of the United States and member countries of the Arctic Council. Using a collaborative, diverse, multi-dimensional, interdisciplinary approach, FAI IV will address public-policy research questions relevant to Arctic nations’ shared challenges and opportunities as they relate to the multiple elements that contribute to the Arctic being a safe, healthy, prosperous, and sustainable place to live and thrive. 

The Fulbright Arctic Scholars include academic researchers in the physical, natural, social, and health sciences, Indigenous and local knowledge holders, as well as practitioners working in various disciplines. Twenty outstanding scholars and practitioners from the U.S. and the other Arctic Council member states were selected to participate in the program through an open, merit-based competition. Five of the scholars are from the United States the other scholars are from Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.  Two Co-Lead Scholars who were participants in previous FAI cohorts will provide intellectual leadership and guidance throughout the program, in addition to mentoring program participants, connecting program scholars to other international experts, and facilitating discussion and collaboration among the scholars.

Each scholar will participate in an individual exchange visit to another Arctic country to conduct research on their individual research topic and to serve as a cultural and scientific ambassador from their country of origin, in addition to taking part in virtual and in-person meetings to collaborate with the full group and with their thematic research groups. In April 2026, the full group will convene in Washington, D.C. to present and discuss their research and policy recommendations to Arctic experts and representatives of the Arctic countries.

 Read about the 20 FAI IV Scholars and the two Co-Lead Scholars here and see additional program details and timeline below. 

Program Details

Fulbright Arctic Initiative IV supports research through an interdisciplinary, collaborative model that will inform policy and support a more secure, just, and sustainable Arctic future. This includes approaches that value the assets and potential of Indigenous and Northern communities and focuses on the strength of bringing together scholars from diverse cultural backgrounds, trainings, and disciplines to collaborate on topics of importance to the Arctic.

Award Benefits

In addition to the multitude of professional development benefits that come with participation in this cohort program, Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholars will receive grant funding in the amount of $40,000 (or an equivalent amount in local currency) to support their international travel to all in-person program meetings and maintenance for the individual exchange visit, research materials and assistance for grantees only.  Accommodations and meals for all group meetings will be covered separately.

FAI Scholars will be provided ASPE health benefits for the periods of their exchange visits and their attendance at the three international program meetings. Participating scholars should maintain any additional personal primary health insurance coverage they may have for the duration of the program.
 

Program Activities

FAI IV scholars will be expected to actively participate in diverse learning environments.  The components of this Fulbright opportunity include:

  • Monthly Webinars. Scholars will be expected to attend and actively participate in monthly webinars aimed at increasing awareness of Arctic research and policy issues as well as increasing the capacity to collaborate in interdisciplinary groups. Monthly webinars will include presentations and discussions on a range of topics relevant to the Arctic context including, but not limited to the use of mixed methodologies and Indigenous research practices in research; community engaged scholarship and building multilateral collaborative partnerships; research ethics across interdisciplinary investigative teams; and policy advocacy. In addition, over the course of the 18-month program, each thematic group will a take a lead in organizing and facilitating one or two of the monthly webinars that is related to their thematic group topic. The Arctic Fulbright Commissions will also have the opportunity to lead a webinar on a topic relevant to their respective country’s Arctic priorities.
  • Thematic Group Collaboration. A significant component of FAI is to collaborate in interdisciplinary thematic groups to develop actionable policy recommendations for Arctic policy makers. Therefore, scholars must demonstrate the interest, capacity, and skills to collaborate in thematic groups across disciplines, diverse knowledge systems, as well as cultural and linguistical differences. Specifically, in their thematic group, scholars will be expected to produce: 1) one white paper based on the research in the thematic group’s area of expertise as it pertains to their thematic group topic; 2) a collaboratively written policy brief based on their group work and white papers; 3) three to five community listening sessions organized by each thematic group in communities of their choosing to gather input and feedback on each group’s policy recommendations; and 4) one joint manuscript for publication that is based on the findings from their group’s white paper and policy brief.  Scholars will be expected to develop their policy recommendations with some level of community engagement through town hall meetings, community-centered workshops, and/or some form of engagement that creates the opportunity for communities’ voices to shape/influence each group’s policy recommendations.
  • In-Person Meetings. Scholars will be expected to attend three in-person meetings over the course of the 18-month program. The first two in-person meetings are designed to provide scholars with the opportunity to work together on their thematic group topic and products with in-person mentorship from the Co-Lead Scholars and other members of the FAI IV leadership team. Scholars will receive training in how to establish group communication and work covenants for constructive collaboration and product development in interdisciplinary teams; what is interdisciplinary scholarship; why is it important to the Arctic; and how does it work, as well as how to work effectively on interdisciplinary teams to develop policy. In addition, during the first two in-person meetings, scholars will be exposed to relevant Arctic research and policy topics as well as the arts and local culture of the two host countries through discussions and events with policy makers, researchers, artists, museums, and universities from the host countries. The final in-person meeting takes place in Washington, D.C. with a series of events and meetings with Arctic policy officials and interface with the public to provide the opportunity for the scholars to showcase their thematic group collaborations on policy development and recommendations and the research from their individual exchange programs.
  • Individual Exchange Visit. Each scholar will participate in an individual exchange visit of a minimum of six consecutive weeks and maximum of three months to conduct research on a topic of their choosing and to serve as a cultural and scientific ambassador from their country of origin. U.S. scholars are eligible to conduct research that is relevant to their particular area of scholarship in one of the Arctic Council member states, excluding Russia. Non-U.S. scholars are eligible to go anywhere in the United States to conduct research that is relevant to their particular area of Arctic scholarship. The individual research exchange component is an opportunity for scholars to study and learn about the values, beliefs, and culture of their host country as well as to study a particular area of scholarship that will enhance and contribute to their existing work in a specific discipline that leads to innovation in their field. Scholars will be expected to demonstrate how their individual exchange visit will innovate their Arctic scholarship and will contribute to their skill set in their thematic group collaboration. For their individual exchange program, FAI IV scholars will be expected to submit one individual exchange report based on lessons learned from their exchange.
Timeline
November 2023  |Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholar Competition Opens
March 1, 2024 |APPLICATION DEADLINE
April 2024 |Country Reviews 
April 2024 |Short-listed candidates invited to submit video recording
Early May 2024 |Final Review Committee
May 2024 |Finalists notified of selection decisions
June 2024  |Virtual PDO
September 8-14, 2024 |Opening Group Meeting (Norway)
June 2025 |Mid-year Group Meeting (TBD)
April 2026 |Final Group Meeting (Washington, DC)
Program Deliverables

A.    Group Work

  1. White Paper – January 2026
  2. Policy Brief – February 2026
  3. Community Listening Sessions – December 2025
  4. Manuscript for Publication – April 2026

B.    Individual

  1. Research Exchange Visit (1.5-3 months) – Between October 2024 and January 2026 (all exchange visits must be completed by January 2026)
  2. Individual Exchange Report – due February 2026
  3. Poster for public exhibition – due February 2026
Thematic Research Topics

Advancing Arctic Knowledge Systems and Policies Through an Interdisciplinary Framework

FAI IV will provide a platform for scholars from across the Arctic region to engage in collaborative thinking, analysis, problem-solving and multi-disciplinary research in three main thematic areas. FAI IV seeks scholars who propose innovative and creative scientific, cultural, applied, and artistic approaches to activate a diverse multidimensional framework to generate security in the Arctic. Thus, the topics are not meant to limit or direct, but rather to stimulate the proposed research and interdisciplinary collaboration of scholars interested in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative.

Theme #1: Climate Change and Arctic Resources 
Given the impact of climate change and increase in extractive industries in the Arctic, there is a need to understand how climate change affects access to and use of Arctic resources. Further, geopolitics in the Arctic and local Arctic governance structures influence decision making about resources in Arctic communities. The rich natural resources of the Arctic are the basis for livelihoods in the Arctic. At the same time, the Arctic region has considerable potential for economic development in connection with the global green transition.  

Theme #2: Arctic Security and Governance
The Arctic region benefits from innovative models of bilateral and multi-lateral international cooperation. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in addition to the present threat of climate change, bring urgency to further developing and strengthening Arctic governance structures and multifaceted partnerships that support Arctic security and attend to the geopolitics of the Arctic Region. Further, Arctic security comes in multiple forms, including human security, environmental security, energy security, and the security of Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and their traditional cultures and livelihoods. The concept of Arctic security becomes more nuanced, complex, and precarious with political conflicts in the Arctic region. Public diplomacy plays an important role in activating diverse stakeholders on Arctic security issues and can contribute to honoring Indigenous sovereignty and diplomatic dynamics in Arctic politics, particularly as it relates to concepts of Indigenous sovereignty in the Arctic.  

Theme #3: Mental Health and Well-Being 
The mental health and well-being of Arctic citizens are impacted by the consequences of Arctic security, development, and climate change on individuals, families, and communities. Furthermore, the daily stress of changes in livelihood, the impacts of climate change, colonialization on traditional life pathways, economic and educational pressures, out-migration to larger cities, and increasing geopolitical tensions in the region influence mental health and well-being in the Arctic. Arctic communities are grounded in diverse Indigenous and local traditions, values, and beliefs, and languages that foster family, kinship, sharing, consensus building, and community connectedness. In addition, vibrant natural environments and rich ecosystems continue to promote thriving Arctic communities. These cultural and environmental elements also influence mental health and well-being in the Arctic. 

Resources:

 

Grant Duration

Program activities will take place over an 18-month period beginning in September 2024. 

Contact: 

Participating Fulbright Offices

Canada:  https://www.fulbright.ca/

Denmark:  https://fulbrightcenter.dk/ 

Finland:  https://www.fulbright.fi/  

Iceland:  https://fulbright.is/

Norway:  https://fulbright.no/

Sweden: https://www.fulbright.se/

U.S. and Russian Applicants: arctic@iie.org

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

 

November 2023  |Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholar Competition Opens
March 1, 2024 |APPLICATION DEADLINE
April 2024 |Country Reviews 
April 2024 |Short-listed candidates invited to submit video recording
Early May 2024 |Final Review Committee
May 2024 |Finalists notified of selection decisions
June 2024  |Virtual PDO
September 8-14, 2024 |Opening Group Meeting (Norway)
June 2025 |Mid-year Group Meeting (TBD)
April 2026 |Final Group Meeting (Washington, DC)


 

 

Successful candidates will include scholars at all career stages, to include applied researchers, professionals, and Indigenous and traditional knowledge experts active in the academic, public or private sectors that demonstrate outstanding qualifications and a record of experience and accomplishment in an area clearly related to one of the designated research themes. Applicants must be actively engaged in an area of inquiry relevant to the program's themes and objectives, be open to exploring and incorporating comparative, interdisciplinary approaches in their investigations, and interested in developing collaborative activities with other Fulbright Arctic Scholars.

Eligibility requirements apply at the time of application. Applicants must meet all of the following requirements, unless specific exemptions apply. The complete Fulbright policies are available here (Chapters 600 and 700)

  • Applicants must be from one of the member states of the Arctic Council: Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. 
  • Non-U.S. applicants must be citizens of the country from which they are applying and residing in the country at the time of application. For the Fulbright Arctic Initiative only: Russian citizens residing outside of Russia (in countries other than the U.S.) will be considered. Non-U.S. applicants who have dual-U.S. citizenship or who hold permanent residency "green cards", whether or not they reside in the U.S., are not eligible. Since specific residency requirements vary from country to country, applicants should contact their local Fulbright office directly to determine their eligibility; Russian applicants should contact IIE at arctic@iie.org
  • U.S. applicants must have U.S. citizenship and be residing permanently in the United States.
  • A Ph.D. or equivalent professional/terminal degree is preferred. For professionals and practitioners outside academe, recognized professional standing and substantial professional accomplishments are required.
  • Preference will be given to early or mid-career academics, applied researchers and/or professionals with research experience in the public, non-profit, or private sectors.
  • Preference for Fulbright Scholar opportunities will be given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright Scholar grant.  Recipients of a Fulbright Scholar grant are eligible to apply for another Fulbright Scholar grant two years after the date of completion of the previous grant. (For serial grants, the two-year period begins at the end of the final grant in the series.) Applicants may apply for only one Fulbright Scholar regional program or country per academic year.
  • Applicants should have particular expertise and relevant experience in one of the identified research areas and be willing to develop new collaborative research with other members of their thematic group.
  • Non-U.S. Scholars must demonstrate proficiency in English.
  • Non-U.S. applications must be submitted through the Fulbright Commission in the applicant’s home country. Russian candidates should apply through IIE. 
  • U.S. applications must be submitted through the Institute of International Education (IIE).
  • If a successful U.S. applicant in a relevant research area applies to conduct their international exchange component in Iceland, please be aware that their grant may be funded through a Fulbright Iceland-NSF grant.

    Please note: Candidates who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States will be given preference, provided their qualifications are approximately equivalent to those of other candidates.

 

Thematic Research Topics

Applicants will select one of the three thematic areas below within the application. Explain how your individual research and plans for your individual exchange visit will fit into an interdisciplinary investigation in the chosen thematic group and convey your capacity and skills to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team. 

The questions posed below suggest the range of topics and disciplines that could be applied to address the Arctic’s shared challenges and the thematic group topics. FAI IV seeks scholars who propose innovative and creative scientific, cultural, applied, and artistic approaches to activate a diverse multidimensional framework to generate security in the Arctic. Thus, the topics and disciplines are not meant to limit or direct, but rather to stimulate the proposed research and interdisciplinary collaboration of scholars interested in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative.


Theme #1: Climate Change and Arctic Resources 
Given the impact of climate change and increase in extractive industries in the Arctic, there is a need to understand how climate change affects access to and use of Arctic resources. Further, geopolitics in the Arctic and local Arctic governance structures influence decision making about resources in Arctic communities. The rich natural resources of the Arctic are the basis for livelihoods in the Arctic. At the same time, the Arctic region has considerable potential for economic development in connection with the global green transition. 

Policy-relevant research questions on this theme could address questions such as:

  1. How could resources from the Arctic be pivotal in driving innovation and maintaining global economic competitiveness? Critical raw minerals play a vital role in powering modern technologies, such as wind turbines, electric vehicles, advanced electronics, and defense technologies.
  2. The Arctic region has a long history of “extractivism” which is entangled with colonialism and struggles over rights and resources. What can be learned from these historical and contemporary encounters of northern Indigenous communities with large-scale resource developments?
  3. How can a green transition be just and how can local communities benefit from a green transition today? Could this development target the energy dependencies in the Arctic region? In other words, how can the Arctic become less fossil-fuel dependent and what could be the appropriate policy instruments to both support a green transition and climate action in a long-term perspective?
  4. What are strategies for engaging communities and developing community-centered practices for sustainable resource development that also address issues of climate change relevant for sustainable livelihoods in the Arctic? 
  5. What role do the following play in the intersection of climate change, extractive industries, and sustainability: permafrost melt, water and air quality, environmental contaminants and hazards, and/or natural/manmade disasters such as wildfires, oil spills, and mining accidents play? Furthermore, how can innovative research models that prioritize co-production of knowledge, partnerships, and collaborations address this complex intersection? 
     

Theme #2: Arctic Security and Governance
The Arctic region benefits from innovative models of bilateral and multi-lateral international cooperation. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in addition to the present threat of climate change, bring urgency to further developing and strengthening Arctic governance structures and multifaceted partnerships that support Arctic security and attend to the geopolitics of the Arctic Region. Further, Arctic security comes in multiple forms, including human security, environmental security, energy security, and the security of Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and their traditional cultures and livelihoods. The concept of Arctic security becomes more nuanced, complex, and precarious with political conflicts in the Arctic region. Public diplomacy plays an important role in activating diverse stakeholders on Arctic security issues and can contribute to honoring Indigenous sovereignty and diplomatic dynamics in Arctic politics, particularly as it relates to concepts of Indigenous sovereignty in the Arctic. 

Policy-relevant research on this theme could address questions such as:

  1. How will Arctic nations, inter-governmental organizations like the Arctic Council, and communities navigate the current unfolding events? Can new security actors be identified in the years to come?
  2. How can we conceptualize, discuss, and promote Arctic security?
  3. What is the construction of security in contemporary Arctic politics and how can community-based experience and resources be integrated in security policies? 
  4. What could be the pathways and models for regional-local cooperation and partnership?
  5. What are strategies to develop capabilities for expanded Arctic activity that promote the multidimensional components of what security signifies to Arctic communities?
  6. How can stability and constructive cooperation be promoted in the Arctic region between the Arctic nations and within individual Arctic countries?
  7. How can we advance our understanding of the role of shipping as the Sea Route becomes more economically important?
  8. More cruise tourism and the evolving economic importance of the new Sea Route push for a better understanding of Arctic marine operations. Thus, what are the Arctic shipping emissions inventories and future scenarios for growth of shipping in the region?
  9. What can be learned from historical encounters when thinking about security in the Arctic?
  10. What is the evolving nature of sovereignty in the Arctic and related securitizing moves?
  11. What are the rights of Indigenous peoples in Arctic policymaking with regard to security? 
  12. How do the impacts of climate change on Arctic communities, lifestyles and livelihoods influence security in the Arctic and what are ways to mitigate these impacts? 

Theme #3: Mental Health and Well-Being 
The mental health and well-being of Arctic citizens are impacted by the consequences of Arctic security, development, and climate change on individuals, families, and communities. Furthermore, the daily stress of changes in livelihood, the impacts of climate change, colonialization on traditional life pathways, economic and educational pressures, out-migration to larger cities, and increasing geopolitical tensions in the region influence mental health and well-being in the Arctic. Arctic communities are grounded in diverse Indigenous and local traditions, values, and beliefs, and languages that foster family, kinship, sharing, consensus building, and community connectedness. In addition, vibrant natural environments and rich ecosystems continue to promote thriving Arctic communities. These cultural and environmental elements also influence mental health and well-being in the Arctic. 

Policy-relevant research questions on this theme could address questions such as:

  1. How may the intersection of cultural, social, environmental, and political security concerns in the Arctic intertwine with the impacts of climate change in the region to influence mental health and well-being? 
  2. How can community practices, perspectives, and priorities be integrated into mental health prevention and treatment that promotes human well-being? 
  3. How can families, schools, and agencies be engaged in promoting positive mental health and well-being in their communities? 
  4. What multi-level intervention designs, frameworks, and methods might address the complex interconnectedness of mental health and well-being in diverse Arctic populations?
  5. How can land-based healing practices be promoted and integrated into mental health and well-being in the Arctic? 
  6. What strategies or steps can be taken to incorporate the natural and/or built environment to support mental health and well-being in Arctic communities?
  7. How can the cumulative effects of multiple risks be assessed and analyzed in the Arctic in a way that brings together the medical, social, natural and physical sciences and humanities to improve the mental health and well-being of people living in the Arctic? 
  8. What are innovative approaches to mental health and well-being that include youth, families, elders, communities, and policy makers?
Meet the Scholars

Fulbright Arctic Initiative IV Scholars 

Fulbright Arctic Co-Lead Scholars

Headshot of Elizabeth Rink

ELIZABETH LYNNE RINK, PhD, MSW
United States
Professor 
Department of Human Development and Community Health 
Montana State University
Discipline: Public Health

Dr. Elizabeth Lynne Rink is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Community Health at Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA. She received her Ph.D. in Public Health from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, USA. Dr. Rink conducts mixed-methods, community based participatory research with Indigenous communities in Montana and Greenland to address the socio-ecological determinants of reproductive health with a focus on Indigenous centered multi-level interventions. She is particularly interested in the extent to which diverse systems within the human ecology, including individual, familial, cultural, environmental and structural dynamics, influence reproductive health outcomes in Indigenous communities. From 2019 to 2022, Dr. Rink was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Fellow examining the implementation of trauma informed policies within Indigenous governance structures to promote health equity. Dr. Rink was a scholar in Cohort II of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative Program and conducted her individual exchange program at the University of Oulu – Thule Institute where she studied perspectives of reproductive health among Sami living in Northern Finland. In Spring 2023, she returned to the University of Oulu -Thule Institute on a Fulbright Specialist Award to study the ethical challenges and solutions of collaborating on interdisciplinary research teams. Dr. Rink was the Co-Lead Scholar for Cohort III of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative from 2020-2023. Over the course of her academic career in the Arctic she has taught seminars as part of the University of the Arctic Ph.D. Institutes in Greenland and Finland on community based participatory research, mixed methods, and research ethics. Her more recent Arctic scholarship includes: 1) collaborating on a multi-site case study project that examined the impact of COVID-19 on Arctic Indigenous communities; and 2) partnering with the University of Greenland, the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources, the Greenland National Museum, Southern Denmark University, Dartmouth College, and Montana State University on a project called, Ileqqussaasut: An Ethical Framework for Research in Greenland.

Headshot of Lill Rasted Bjorst

Lill Rastad Bjørst is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University and Ph.D. in Greenlandic and Arctic Studies from University of Copenhagen. At Aalborg, she also served as the Scientific Director of the SSH Signature: Green Societies. One particular strength of her research profile is her 15 years’ experience researching climate change as a scholar within the human and social sciences as well as my many years of involvement with research management both as a principal investigator (PI); work package leader (WPL); as the head of CIRCLA—Centre for Innovation and Research in Culture and Living in the Arctic (2016-2023); and as a research coordinator of the cross-faculty interdisciplinary platform AAU Arctic at Aalborg University (2016-2019). In 2022, she was a Fulbright Arctic Initiative III Visiting Researcher with the Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth (US) and the Center for Arctic Policy Studies at University of Alaska Fairbanks.

 Fulbright Arctic Scholars

Gabriella Arguellon headshot

GABRIELLA ARGÜELLO
Sweden -  University of Gothenburg
Law of the sea, marine environmental law, and ocean governance
When Ice Recedes: Biological Diversity and Ecosystem-Based Governance in the Arctic Ocean

Dr. Gabriela Argüello, PhD, is a legal scholar who investigates offshore large-scale wind power deployment and carbon capture sequestration in the sub-seabed. She specializes in the law of the sea, marine environmental law, and ocean governance, with a focus on global environmental challenges involving states, international organizations, industries, and civil society organizations. Argüello has conducted research in waste management, biodiversity protection, pesticides, ship recycling, ship-source pollution, ocean governance, and energy transitions. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in the United States on biological diversity and ecosystem-based governance in the Arctic Ocean. 

Mia Bennett headshot

MIA BENNETT
United States - University of Washington–Seattle
Geopolitics of infrastructure development
Security and Survivance: Reconciling Arctic Military Infrastructure with Local and Indigenous Needs

Dr. Mia Bennett, PhD, is a political geographer who researches the geopolitics of infrastructure development in the Arctic and orbital space, with a focus on Indigenous empowerment, the influence of Asian political powers, and the dawn of satellite observations. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, Bennett will work with Indigenous and local northern communities in Norway to understand the impact of Arctic military infrastructure and development. 

Wayne Clark headshot

WAYNE CLARK
Canada - University of Alberta
Public Health
Improving Circumpolar Inuit Mental Health and Assessment Innovation

Dr. Wayne Inuglak Clark ᐅᐊᐃᓐ  ᐃᓄᒡᓚᒃ ᑲᓛᒃ , EdD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Director of the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He is a registered Inuk of the Nunavut Agreement, and a member of the Voisey family with ties to Tikiraqjuaq ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ and Kangiqsualujjuaq ᑲᖏᖅᓱᐊᓗᔾᔪᐊᖅ. His research addresses Inuit health services utilization trends, Inuit data sovereignty, and Indigenous medical education. His lectures cover Indigenous experiences in healthcare, Indian Hospitals, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, and intergenerational trauma. Clark is a principal investigator for the Accelerating Clinical Trials Consortium, which expands Canada's clinical trials network, emphasizing Indigenous participation in trials. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, he will conduct research in the United States on improving circumpolar assessment innovation for Inuit mental health.

Karen Everett headshot

KAREN EVERETT
Canada - Université Laval
Security and Governance
Human and Traditional Security: Comprehensive Security and Governance in the Canadian North

Dr. Karen Everett, PhD, is a scholar of Canadian studies, focused on socio-economic inequalities in the circumpolar Arctic. Previously, she conducted research at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria focused on Arctic governance. Karen is interested in the intersections between security, governance, and socio-economic inequalities and what this means for policy development. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in the United States on comprehensive security and governance.

 

Penny Gage headshot

PENNY GAGE
United States – Launch Alaska
Energy Policy
Kvarken to Kotzebue: Adapting Nordic Clean Tech Success to Alaska’s Energy Transition

Penny Gage is managing director at Launch Alaska,  an Anchorage, Alaska based nonprofit organization focused on accelerating climate technology deployment to decarbonize systems of energy, transportation, and industry. Gage leads Launch Alaska's policy and advocacy work to advance the energy transition in Alaska. She also oversees the Tech Deployment Track accelerator program to help climate tech companies from across the world deploy their technologies in Alaska. She is Tlingit Alaska Native from the Raven Dog Salmon clan, and is a member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. Her Tlingit name is Xʼwaséeya. She has a diverse background in economic development, entrepreneur support and training, federal and state government, energy policy, and international affairs. She serves on The Nature Conservancy Alaska Board of Trustees and is the chair of Sealaska Corporation’s Shareholder Participation Committee.  As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in both Sweden and Norway on adapting Nordic clean tech success to Alaska’s energy transition. 

Sappho Gilbert headshot

SAPPHO GILBERT
United States – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Public Health and Mental Health
Nutritional Health and Psychological Distress Among Young Adults in the Canadian Arctic

Dr. Sappho Gilbert, PhD, MPH, is a scholar of public health who researches community health, food security, population nutrition, public policy, and climate change in the Arctic. She conducts interdisciplinary studies in partnership with colleagues based in communities, academia, and the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Gilbert utilizes mixed methods to investigate timely questions at the interface of public health, food systems, environmental science, Indigenous and local knowledge, and policy.  As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in Canada on nutritional health and psychological distress among young adults.  

Heather Gordon headshot

HEATHER GORDON
United States - Sauyaq Solutions and American University
Public Policy
Indigenous Sovereignty & Arctic Security: Human Rights & Environmental Justice in Governance

Dr. Heather Sauyaq Jean Kwamboka Gordon, PhD, is a scholar of Indigenous studies and the owner and principal consultant at Sauyaq Solutions, working with Indigenous Nations and communities on research, evaluation, and technical assistance. She is also an adjunct faculty member at American University. She is Iñupiaq and an enrolled Tribal member of the Nome Eskimo Community. Her work addresses culture and wellbeing, sustainability, justice, connectedness with nonhuman and more than human kin, and speaks about the importance of listening to Indigenous Knowledges. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States, and a research group co-chair for the International Conferences on Arctic Research Planning IV. She co-led and organized the 2023 Global Indigenous Youth Summit on Climate Change and served on an environmental committee for the U.S. National Academy of Sciences committee. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she plans to address U.S. federal policy around land and water management through Indigenous governance, combining her experience in Alaska with new research in Canada and Finland.

Rachael Lorna Johnstone headshot

RACHAEL LORNA JOHNSTONE
Iceland – University of Akureyri
International Law
Delivering a Just Energy Transition for the Arctic

Dr. Rachael Lorna Johnstone, SJD, is a professor of law, specializing in polar law and the governance of the Arctic and the Antarctic under international and domestic law. She has published widely on extractive industries and public participation, the rights of Indigenous peoples, human rights law, environmental law in the polar regions, and international cooperation in the Arctic. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in the United States for a project on delivering a just energy transition for the Arctic. 

Tanja Joona headshot

TANJA JOONA
Finland - University of Lapland
International Law
Arctic Terra Nullius and Just Green Transition

Dr. Tanja Joona, PhD, is a senior researcher at the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland. She is the Principal Investigator of REBOUND, a consortium funded by the Strategic Research Council of Finland under the JUST TRANSITION program. She previously served in leadership roles on the sustainability-focused JUSTNORTH project, and she is currently the chair of the Just Green Transition for the Arctic Five, an alliance of five universities dedicated to leading in Arctic sustainability research and innovation. Her research focuses on comparative legal and political aspects of Indigenous Sámi society, especially issues dealing with traditional livelihoods, energy transition, land use, international human rights law, and identity questions in the context of justice and equality. Her research focused on the rights of Indigenous peoples and land use questions in Nordic countries, Sámi children and youth in urban cities, and Arctic industrial cities and youth wellbeing. She is also the chair of the Arctic Working Group of the Baltic Sea Commission. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in the United States on ensuring a “just green transition” outlining how the costs and benefits of a green economy can be equitably shared.

Juho Kähkönen headshot

JUHO KÄHKÖNEN
Finland - University of Lapland
International Law
The Future of Sustainable Arctic Logistics and Transportation

Juho Kähkönen is a researcher in international relations, international law, Arctic politics and climate law, covering climate change mitigation, logistics, just transition, and climate resilience. Kähkönen has published on security, tourism's green transition, and Arctic logistics. Kähkönen is active in civil society and serves as a board member at the University of the Arctic (UArctic) and the Arctic Society of Finland, among other organizations. Before his academic career, Kähkönen led two large EU consortiums which implemented the European Green Deal on energy transition and mining in most potential regions across the European Union. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, he will conduct research in the United States on the future of sustainable Arctic logistics and transportation.

Anna Karlsdottir Mynd headshot

ANNA KARLSDÓTTIR    
Iceland – University of Iceland
Human Geography
Tourism Development in the Arctic as Resilience Enhancement in Wake of Climate Change Effects

Dr. Anna Karlsdóttir, PhD, is an assistant professor in human geography and tourism studies, life and environmental sciences at the University of Iceland. As an Arctic Social Science researcher, she has served as a senior research fellow at the Nordic Council of Ministers, Research Organisation on regional development and planning (Nordregio). She conducted policy focused research on regional development with emphasis on rural regional development and the Arctic and its implications for well-being and prosperity. Karlsdóttir has led the Nordic thematic group of green and inclusive rural development and the secretariat for the Nordic thematic group on sustainable rural regional development, and coordinated major studies for the Nordic Arctic Working Group.  Previously, she led the administration of the Nordic Arctic Cooperation Program of the Nordic Council of Ministers. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in the United States on the development of tourism in the Arctic to enhance resilience in the wake of climate change effects.

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HANS PEDER KIRKEGAARD 
Kingdom of Denmark - University of Greenland
International Relations
Risk of Malign Influence Operations in Indigenous Communities

Hans Peder Kirkegaard is a former diplomat who was a special advisor on defense and security policy at the government of Greenland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a key member of the negotiation team regarding the Service Maintenance Contract Dispute at Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base). He was the lead negotiator for the Arctic Capabilities Package on behalf of the Government of Greenland. He was also a member of the Kingdom of Denmark’s Security Policy Analysis Group. He is currently researching a PhD on how Greenlandic politicians and civil servant are navigating the changing security landscape at Nasiffik – Center for Foreign and Security Policy at the University of Greenland, funded by the Danish Ministry of Defense. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar to the United States he will investigate the risk of foreign malign influence operations among Indigenous communities.

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ADAM LAJEUNESSE  
Canada - St. Francis Xavier University
International Relations
Disinformation and Malign Influence in a Contested Arctic

Dr. Adam Lajeunesse, PhD, is an associate professor and chair of the public policy and governance program. He is also the Director of the Canadian Maritime Security Network (CMSN), a Department of National Defence-funded research network. In addition, Lajeunesse is the research coordinator for the Naval Association of Canada, a research associate at the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, and a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, he will travel to the United States to conduct on disinformation, building on his research as a Killam Scholar at the University of Calgary.

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ALEXANDRA MIDDLETON    
Finland – University of Oulu
Social Sciences
Bridging the Gap: Just Transition, Energy Security, and Critical Minerals Management in the Arctic

Dr. Alexandra Middleton, PhD, is a researcher specializing in sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and Arctic business development. She has published scientific articles on climate change accountability, sustainable development, demographics, human capital, innovation, and connectivity solutions in the Arctic. Middleton has engaged in science diplomacy to raise awareness of the Arctic's economic, social, and environmental challenges. Currently, she serves as the Citizen Science Ambassador for Finland in the European Citizen Science Project, amplifying the role of ordinary citizens in addressing global and Arctic challenges. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar to the United States, she will conduct research on energy security and critical minerals management. 

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RIKKE ØSTERGAARD
Kingdom of Denmark - University of Greenland
Intersectionality in the Arctic: A New Strategic Paradigm for Defense and Human Security

Rikke Østergaard is a researcher in Arctic security, investigating how major challenges in Greenland are shaped by power structures that lead to systemic inequalities. She was previously a research coordinator at the Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, focusing on civil and military cooperation. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar to the United States, she will focus on gender issues related to defense and using intersectionality to develop inclusive security policies in the Arctic.

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ÅSA RENNERMALM
United States
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Unveiling Arctic Futures: A Physical Science Inquiry into Climate Change and Arctic Resources

Dr. Åsa Rennermalm, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She specializes in the hydrology and glaciology of the Arctic region, focusing particularly on the Greenland ice sheet and its response to 21st-century climate change. Her research explores ice sheet melting and mass loss, employing comprehensive methodology including field data from surface hydrology, shallow ice cores, and mapping via uncrewed aerial vehicles collected in numerous field campaigns in Greenland. Rennermalm also uses secondary data such as records from automatic weather stations, outputs from regional climate models, and remotely sensed satellite imagery. Her work aims to enhance understanding and predictions of changes to the Greenland ice sheet, examining its interactions with the broader Arctic climate and surrounding oceans. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar to Denmark, she will conduct physical science research into climate change and arctic resources.

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MARIAH SEATER
United States
Tulane University
Family Justice Centers in Arctic Communities

Mariah Seater, MPH, researches public health at Tulane University. Her professional journey includes pivotal roles such as Health Equity Advisor with the CDC Foundation, Program Coordinator for Alaska’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, and Public Health Specialist with Volunteers of America Alaska, where she demonstrated public health leadership in enhancing program service delivery and fostering community partnerships. A lifelong Alaskan, Seater serves as a special assistant to the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in Iceland on family justice centers in Arctic communities.

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IVALU KATAJAVAARA SEIDLER 
Kingdom of Denmark 
University of Southern Denmark and the University of Greenland
Expanding Indigenous Methodologies to Assess and Monitor Mental Health and Well-Being

Dr. Ivalu Katajavaara Seidler, PhD, is an Indigenous scholar from Greenland who is affiliated with both the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Greenland. Her research is focused on mental health, suicide, and alcohol with an epidemiological approach, working to ensure that every child can experience a safe and happy childhood. She works with nationwide data, developing quantitative approaches that resonate with Greenlandic culture and worldview, seeking to create culturally sensitive ways of collecting and analyzing data on risk factors, protective factors and risk factors for suicide. Seidler serves as the Chair of the Greenlandic Alcohol and Drug Council. For her Fulbright Arctic project, Seidler will conduct research in the United States exploring social and health determinants, as well as life trajectories of health and wellbeing in childhood based on nationwide data. She will also contribute to monitoring the Greenland suicide prevention strategy called “Qamani.” She will visit the Center for Alaska Native Health Research in Fairbanks to learn more about measuring cultural strengths and values that enhance mental health among Indigenous peoples of the Arctic.

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SIGRUN SIGURDARDOTTIR 
Iceland - University of Akureyri
Nursing Education
Mental Health and Well-Being; Trauma, Stress, Suicide Prevention, Trauma-Informed Approach

Dr. Sigrun Sigurdardottir, PhD, is a professor of nursing and co-founder of The Research Center against Violence. Her research focus is on psychological trauma, violence, childhood sexual abuse, with a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach, and she teaches courses on trauma and violence. Sigurdardottir has worked as a nurse in the public health service, mental health units and the rehabilitation service. She also graduated from the Police Academy of Iceland and worked as a police officer in rural areas in Iceland. She is a member of the Arctic Network: Northern Nursing Education. As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, she will conduct research in the United States on a trauma-informed approach to mental health and well-being, stress, and suicide prevention.

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LARS SMEDSRUD
Norway - University of Bergen
Marine Science and Oceanography
Tracking Icebergs and Their Environmental Impact 

Dr. Lars H. Smedsrud, PhD, leads a network of polar researchers as a professor of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Bergen, Norway and is also affiliate professor at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS).  Smedsrud is a polar physical oceanographer with a broad international network and has conducted extensive field-work in Svalbard, the Barents Sea, the Arctic Ocean and Antarctica. He also has experience in laboratory experiments, and theoretical scaling as well as column, regional, and fully coupled climate models. He is one of the experts serving on the EU-PolarNet project that coordinates European polar research, and has been member of the Scientific Steering Group in CliC (Climate and the Cryosphere) and World Climate Research Programme, and a coordinator in the Arctic European Climate Research Alliance. Previously, he was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar of Environmental Science hosted at the University of California, San Diego.  As a Fulbright Arctic Scholar, he will return to the United States to conduct research on tracking icebergs.