Published Mar 3, 2023

The Russian-Asian Consortium for Arctic Research could be a platform to support scientific research in the Arctic, an expert of the Murmansk State Technical University, Zhanna Vasilyeva, told the Arctic 2023 international conference on Thursday.

"We need to take a strategic decision so that we could manage the studies," she said. "We need to have a certain scientific program, some fund, which supports specifically the Arctic studies. It could be a platform, based on the Consortium, which would be similar to the UArctic University," she said.

Earlier, Anatoly Nikolaev of the Ammosov Northeastern Federal University said the University of the Arctic (UArctic) - a network of international universities, colleges and research institutions - had refused to work with Russian organizations. UArctic is involved in studies in and about the North and adjacent territories. However, the Ammosov University's representative said, Russia continues to create various kinds of consortia, since not only Arctic countries are interested in Arctic issues. For example, in November, 2022, Russia organized the Russian-Asian Consortium for Arctic Research. Its priority is the preservation of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the peoples living in the Arctic.

Russia currently has the opportunity to offer financial, political and information mechanisms for long-term cooperation in Arctic research under the Consortium, Vasilyeva added.

Published Mar 3, 2023 by Saima Sidik

We know Alaska's coast is eroding fast - what are the different ways we might save it and the Alaska Native cultures on that land?

Dillingham is just one example of a small Alaskan town with a big erosion problem. Around the state, dozens of coastal communities are watching their coastlines crumble, losing at least 3 feet of land per year. Critical infrastructure such as airport runways, fuel tanks, and schools are in danger. Many Alaska Natives have been hard hit: Now, with climate change altering weather patterns, melting permafrost, and reducing sea ice, the land these communities are built on is falling into the sea. 

“We’re really up against a big challenge,” said Thomas Ravens, a civil engineer at the University of Alaska at Anchorage. 

The extent of the erosion problem is well known, but much less has been said about how to fix it. Ravens and others are looking for solutions that could work for Alaska’s cold climate and dispersed population. Some of their ideas involve holding the ground firm, even as the Earth warms, while others let the ground move in a controlled way or emphasize adapting to rapid change. The field is still in its infancy, but one thing is certain: With 83 percent of Alaska’s population living on the coast, updated strategies for dealing with erosion can’t come soon enough.

Published Mar 3, 2023 by North of 60 Mining

Gathering together leaders, decision-makers, and experts toward the common goal of understanding the value of Alaska's mineral endowment and how to unlock it for America's net-zero emission goals, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management hosted a two-day workshop bringing attention to carbon management and critical minerals and how the Last Frontier will be a keystone in achieving the country's lofty ambition.

Held at Alaska Pacific University's Atwood Center Rasmuson Hall on Feb. 21 and 22, these workshops were dedicated to discussing Alaska's potential for leadership in carbon management in energy and industry, as well as a rich domestic source of the minerals critical to America's low-carbon future.

"The purpose of this workshop is to support your state's ambitions to become a world leader in critical minerals production and processing," Office of Energy and Carbon Management Assistant Secretary Brad Crabtree said during the onset of the Feb. 22 workshop. "As you know, the demand for critical minerals is increasing rapidly as the world transitions to a clean energy industrial economy."

Aware of the immense opportunity that Alaska presents in a sustainable, carbon-free, green energy future, representatives from DOE, universities, national labs, industry, Alaska Native corporations, U.S. Geological Survey, and everything in between met to acknowledge, bring awareness, and set the groundwork for first steps regarding carbon management and critical minerals in the Far North State.

Published Mar 3, 2023

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the waiver this week, which was requested by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) in late 2020. Alaska Airspace is the first frontier in the UAS industry.

Alaska is the first state to be able to grant permission for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to operate and test with the aim of securing certification for national airspace flight.

Alaska is now the only state with the ability to allow UAS operations classified as research or development, including aircraft under 300 pounds, to be conducted in our UAS test-site airspace.

“This officially establishes Alaska as the leader in research for Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “I am looking forward to seeing how Alaskans support and grow this developing economic sector.”

The waiver enables UAS manufacturers to utilize Alaska's airspace for certification purposes, a move that will support new economic activity. The Alaska Center for UAS Integration (ACUASI), at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is the manager of Alaska’s UAS test site. As part of the FAA’s Beyond program, ACUASI has been granted the authority to oversee the waiver's implementation.

ACUASI will evaluate the safety of an operator's unmanned aircraft and related procedures, using their internal processes to ascertain whether a UAS operation can be safely conducted. Previously, individuals who wanted to undertake such operations had to apply for a special airworthiness certificate and request exemption from several regulations, which proved to be a resource-intensive and time-consuming process for both the applicant and the FAA.

Published Mar 2, 2023 by Lexi Hanus

On February 21 and 23, Alyeska hosted the RMISA Alaska Anchorage Invitational. Once again the University of Utah produced a phenomenal performance from both their nordic and alpine teams and won the Invitational. With this victory, the Utes successfully won every division-scored collegiate invitational this season. However, Westminster College was fast on the alpine side, leaving the series as the alpine points leader.

Published Mar 2, 2023

In August 2022, a multidisciplinary, intergenerational, and cross-cultural group of participants converged on Utqiaġvik, Alaska to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL) and to take part in a National Science Foundation funded workshop focused on Enhancing Arctic Science and Engineering.

This is an unprecedented time to study changes occurring in the Arctic. The impacts of melting sea ice, melting ice sheets, thawing permafrost, ecosystem reorganization, geopolitics, and associated human interactions represent complex issues requiring a reflection on the past, a focus on the current state, and a coordinated and collaborative discussion about priorities for future research and capacity-building investments in Arctic science and engineering. To do this, it is essential to gather researchers, key stakeholders, and community members from numerous generations, disciplines, and cultures to share their observations and insights.

The foundation of the EASE workshop was grounded in a legacy of promoting sustainable Arctic science in Utqiaġvik, as a model for the circumpolar north, being guided by the important role of the Iñupiat in furthering scientific understanding of climatic and social-ecological change in the rapidly changing Arctic.

The five-day event focused on summarizing science and engineering in Utqiaġvik and the greater North Slope region over the last 75 years, an assessment of the current state of the science and engineering being conducted, and a prospectus on science and engineering in the Arctic over the next 25 years. The workshop included oral and poster presentations and featured keynote speakers that focused on key achievements and past research endeavors to provide the framework for envisioning the trajectory of Arctic science, engineering, and education in the future. Specific themes of the EASE workshop included marine and coastal research, terrestrial and freshwater research, atmospheric research, social science research, co-production of knowledge, convergent research, and education and outreach opportunities.

The gathering included more than 140 participants from academia, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry, community members, and local-to-regional governments and corporations.

Published Mar 2, 2023 by Clarise Larson

The University of Alaska President Pat Pitney made a pit stop in Juneau Thursday afternoon to speak to community leaders about the state of the university system and its newfound fiscal stability as it prepares to welcome a new chancellor for its Southeast campuses.

“I’m thrilled to share that after years of turmoil, the University of Alaska has turned a corner, we have fiscal stability for the first time in nine years, and this spring we’ll have a growing student body,” she said to the crowd at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.

Throughout her hour-long speech in front of members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon, Pitney spoke with an emphasis on the future of the university system and its work to increase retention and subsequent in-state employment of its students while also growing its student enrollment.

“Fiscal stability is the foundation for our successes,” she said. “Through our focus on workforce and economic development we’re supporting existing industries and more importantly empowering new industries.”

Pitney made sure to applaud outgoing University of Alaska Southeast’s Chancellor Karen Carey who in the fall announced she will be retiring from her position at UAS in May of 2023 having served three years in the position. Carey was unable to attend the event.

“We will dearly miss her and wish her all the best,” Pitney said.

Pitney described Carey as a “tireless advocate” for the Southeast campuses and university system. She said she has yet to decide on Carey’s replacement, but noted, “I think everyone will be pleased.”