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Polar (In)Securities: The Future of Global Affairs in the Circumpolar North

Wednesday June 8th, 2022 to
Friday June 10th, 2022

The Arctic Institute's 2022 conference banner showing an floating iceberg and some text on the Institute's conference "Polar (In)Securities)"

The Arctic Institute (TAI) proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2021. Our mission is to help inform Arctic policy in the context of the climate crisis, and we believe that circumpolar decision-making must be based on interdisciplinary, inclusive research. As we begin our second decade, we see an opportunity to broaden our mission, and proudly announce our first conference with traditional paper presentations, scenario workshops, and special sessions.

The climate crisis destabilizes traditional understandings of security in the Arctic. Many conferences and scholars have produced invaluable scholarship that seeks to understand how climate change affects security, regional development, and social and Indigenous welfare in the Arctic. We choose to upend the narrative by reframing our central question. How will global developments affect the circumpolar north?

June 8 – Day 1 Panels

  • Energy Security in the Arctic
  • Security Architecture and Operational Security
  • Historical Studies of the Arctic
  • The Arctic / Non-Arctic Connection (Part I)
  • The Arctic / Non-Arctic Connection (Part II)
  • Narratives & Media Coverage of the Arctic
  • Governance (Part I)
  • Governance (Part II)

June 9 – Day 2 Sessions

  • Discussion with Cynthia Lazaroff
  • Discussion with Dr. Nicolien Van Luijk on shipping and Indigenous security in the Canadian Arctic, and navigating graduate/post-graduate research, The Environment, Society, and Policy Group (ESPG), University of Ottawa
  • Discussion with members of Accessibility, Pride, and Women in Polar Research Groups
  • Discussion with Larry Ibrahim Mohammed on “Windfarms in the heart of Indigenous self-determination” and navigating doctoral research – University of Tromso

June 10 – Day 3 Sessions

  • Canadian Northern Corridor: “A multi-faceted perspective on security in the context of northern Canadian infrastructure development” featuring Dr. Katharina Koc (Discussant, University of Calgary), Dr. P. Whitney Lackenbauer (Trent University), Dr. Steven Vamosi (University of Calgary), Mr. Nathan Debertoli
  • Canadian Northern Corridor: “Indigenous engagement and knowledge coproduction in the context of northern Canadian infrastructure development” featuring Dr. Evgeniia (Jen) Sidorova (Discussant, University of Calgary), Dr. Jenanne Ferguson (MacEwan University), Dr. Luis D. Virla (TU Delft), Dr. P. Whitney Lackenbauer (Trent University)
  • U.S. Embassy Moscow – Science Technology, Environment, and Health Section
  • Sandia National Labs: “Evaluating MACCS Capabilities and Investment Areas Benefiting Arctic Environments” featuring Dr. Kyle Clavier (Senior Geosciences Engineer), John D. Fulton (Manager, Accident Consequence Modeling and Analysis Group), Jennifer Leute (Principal Engineer, Accident Consequence Modeling and Analysis Group), Mariah L. Smith (R&D Geosciences Engineer)

What to know more about the how and when of our conference? Then download our Conference Packet here.

Update – 23 June 2022:

The Arctic Institute would like to recognize the following individuals for the best questions and participation during “Polar (In)Securities”:

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