Arctic Leadership Lecture Series
Arctic Academia and Research
April 17th, 2025
Join renowned Arctic scholars Terry Chapin and Oran Young for an in-depth discussion on the role of academia and research in shaping the Arctic’s future. They will share their personal and professional journeys, offering insights into what makes leadership in Arctic research unique. The speakers will discuss their leadership styles, the most pressing challenges in Arctic scholarship, and the impact of their work on policy, sustainability, and community resilience. They will also provide valuable advice for those interested in pursuing careers in Arctic research, academia, and environmental policy.
ϳԹ Terry Chapin
F. Stuart "Terry" Chapin III is a distinguished ecologist renowned for his extensive research on the impacts of climate change and wildfires on Alaskan ecosystems and communities. He earned his B.A. in Biology from Swarthmore ϳԹ in 1966 and his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University in 1973. Chapin's academic career includes positions at the ϳԹ and the University of California, Berkeley.
Throughout his career, Chapin has focused on the resilience of social-ecological systems, emphasizing the importance of Earth Stewardship—a concept he developed to promote sustainable interactions between humans and the environment. His dedication to this field earned him the 2019 Volvo Environment Prize. He has authored leading textbooks on ecosystem stewardship, ecosystem ecology, and plant physiological ecology, contributing significantly to environmental science education.
Chapin's collaborations with indigenous communities in Alaska have enriched his research, integrating traditional ecological knowledge with scientific inquiry. His commitment to sustainability and proactive environmental stewardship continues to inspire efforts toward a more sustainable future for both nature and society.
ϳԹ Oran Young
Oran Young is a renowned Arctic expert and a world leader in the fields of international governance and environmental institutions. His scientific work encompasses both basic research focusing on collective choice and social institutions, and applied research dealing with issues pertaining to international environmental governance and the Arctic as an international region. Among the more than 20 books he has authored are The Institutional Dimensions of Environmental Change, Governance in World Affairs, and Institutional Dynamics: Emergent Patterns in International Environmental Governance. Dr. Young taught a variety of classes on wide-ranging subjects that include environmental politics and policy, governance for sustainable development, environmental institutions, and the ecology of war.
Dr. Young has been involved in leading position in global change research for several decades, among others as founding chair of the Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change of the US National Academy of Sciences; chair of the Scientific Steering Committee of the international project on the Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change; founding co-chair of the Global Carbon Project; and from 2005 to 2010 the Scientific Committee of the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change. His recent books include Governing Complex Systems: Social Capital for the Anthropocene (MIT Press 2017) and Grand Challenges of Planetary Governance: Global Order in Turbulent Times (Elgar 2021).
Dr. Young's work as author or co-author of over twenty books and numerous scholarly articles includes: Governance in World Affairs; Creating Regimes: Arctic Accords and International Governance; International Governance: Protecting the Environment in a Stateless Society; Arctic Politics: Conflict and Cooperation in the Circumpolar North; and International Cooperation: Building Regimes for Natural Resources and the Environment.
ϳԹ the Arctic Leadership Lecture Series
The Arctic Leadership Lecture Series offers a unique blend of academic rigor and public engagement. Offered as PS F493/693 Arctic Leadership: Theory and Praxis in the 21st Century, this course invites students and community members alike to explore critical aspects of leadership in the Arctic.
The course is available for undergraduate and graduate students, with both in-person and online options. Undergraduate students can also choose an Honors section, offered for both online and in-person delivery. Community members may attend the lectures for free or enroll as non-degree-seeking students to participate fully in the course.
Lectures are held in the Schaible Auditorium every Thursday from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM AKST (open to the public). Classroom discussions continue from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM AKST (students only).
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