27 March 2025 | 10:30 - 12:00 (MDT)
Open Session - HYBRID
Room: UMC Second Floor - 235
Organisers: Matthew Druckenmiller (University of Colorado Boulder, USA); Nikoosh Carlo (CNC North Consulting, USA); Louise Mercer (Northumbria University, UK)
Session Description:
Since 2017, the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) program has advanced convergence research across the Arctic. This highly collaborative research draws from diverse disciplines and knowledge systems to solve complex societal challenges. NNA represents the U.S.’s largest ever Arctic investment in knowledge co-production, demonstrating innovative and transformative approaches to address a wide-range of issues and climate challenges intertwined within natural and social systems, as well as the built environment. The initiative has also prompted extensive critical feedback from Arctic Indigenous Peoples regarding long-standing inequalities and problematic research practices that span the full spectrum of research activities, including how research is designed, funded, implemented, and communicated with Arctic communities and Tribes. This feedback prompted reflection and furthered discussions that contributed to changes in policy, and provides a roadmap for more equitable and meaningful research. The NNA research community is made up of over 100 projects, each with its own network of partners and at different stages of completion. Some NNA projects have finished and others are ongoing, adapting and refining their practices toward generating actionable and equitable outcomes. Now is a critical time for the lessons and outcomes from the NNA program to be shared with the international research community, policymakers, funders and project partners. This session invites abstracts from diverse perspectives, knowledge systems and career stages that will share lessons-learned and outcomes from NNA research to help shape future Arctic research priorities and approaches.