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International Graduate School on the Emergence of Innovative Blue Economies in the Arctic

October 14 to 30, 2024 – Ungava Bay (Nunavik), Canada

International Graduate School on the Emergence of Innovative Blue Economies in the Arctic Sentinel North

Climate change has many impacts in the Arctic, especially for coastal communities who have a close connection to the marine environment and depend on it for their food security, access, and abundance of culturally important resources, etc. This changing environment creates an uncertain future but could also allow new relevant economic development opportunities for Northern communities.

Taking place first in Kuujjuaq and then onboard the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen, this international graduate school focuses on the emergence of innovative blue economies in the Arctic, addresses both the challenges and the opportunities Northern communities are facing. This experiential training will offer participants the opportunity to interact with renowned researchers in a trans-sectoral perspective that combines a wide range of disciplines of both social and natural sciences (anthropology, sociology, economics, geography, arctic marine biology and ecology, marine physics, and biochemistry). This will also incorporate the knowledge and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, as well as organizations, governments and businesses involved in the region, as their way of observing and understanding the environment is essential in defining the challenges to be met, as well as relevant and appropriate strategies and actions.

This School is a joint initiative of the WAGE Circumpolar Partnership and the Sentinel North program at Université Laval.

Applications are now closed. Thank you!

 

Who is it for? 

Up to 18 international graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be selected to take part in the School. Target audience:

  • Social sciences students, affiliated with the WAGE Circumpolar Partnership, and other students with a keen interested in the theme of blue economy in the Arctic.
  • Natural sciences students with a keen interest in this theme.

 

Note: Due to the conditions of field work at sea in the Arctic environment, all applicants should be in good physical condition. 

  • Program overview

    The School favors an experiential, trans-sectoral and transdisciplinary approaches that includes lectures, discussions, community meetings, fieldwork on the icebreaker, and interdisciplinary teamwork. The program will cover several themes:

    • Impact of current economic trends, public policies and legal frameworks on environmental sustainability and social inequality
    • Climate change impacts on food safety and security 
    • Social and environmental challenges of innovation and adaptation to climate change


    Taking part in a transdisciplinary training program requires prior preparation on the part of each participant. Thus, compulsory readings will be provided in advance and will have to be completed prior to the course. 

     

    Trans-sectoral Teamwork

    Whether for community meetings, oceanographic sampling operations or data analysis, participants will work in interdisciplinary teams to favors trans-sectoral knowledge integration and the development of transversal skills useful to their career path. The School will conclude with student presentations and reflections.

  • Itinerary

    • October 14: Montreal 
    • October 15: Travel to Kuujjuaq 
    • October 16-19: Seminars (lectures) and community meetings, Kuujjuaq 
    • October 20: Boarding on the CCGS Amundsen, Kuujjuaq 
    • October 21-24: Sampling activities on the CCGS Amundsen in Ungava Bay 
    • October 25-28: Seminars (lectures) and interdisciplinary teamwork during travel back to Quebec City 
    • October 29: Students presentations 
    • October 30: Disembarkation in Quebec City

  • List of experts

    Philippe Archambault, Professor, Department of biology, Université Laval

    Gérard Duhaime, Professor, Department of sociology, Université Laval

    Karen Everett, Research Associate, Louis-Edmond-Hamelin Chair affiliated with the University of the Arctic, Université Laval

    Marianne Falardeau, Professor, Department of Science and Technology, Université TÉLUQ (Université du Québec) and member of the Littoral Research Chair, Université Laval

    Jasmine Godbold, Professor, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton

    Davin Holen, Professor, Alaska Sea Grant, University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Anna Karlsdóttir, Assistant Professor, Human geography and tourism studies, University of Iceland

    Kristin Bartenstein, Professor, Faculty of Law, Université Laval

  • Application and Selection process

    Those interested in participating in the School must provide the following documents:

    • Completed registration form
    • Résumé (including your education, professional experience, and communications)
    • Letter of recommendation from your program or research supervisor (One page)


    In addition to filling out the form, the documents must be sent to formation@sn.ulaval.ca

     

    Selection process

    The organizing committee will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:

    • Relevance of the applicant’s field of research program to the School’s topic
    • Applicant’s research ability
    • Interest and capacity to work in team and in an interdisciplinary and intersectoral environment


    The selection process will also consider the diversity of applicants’ disciplines and backgrounds. Individuals from all geographic regions, as well as underrepresented minorities, are encouraged to apply.

    This school will be offered in English. Fluency in English is required. 

    All participants are expected to attend the entire session.

    Individuals will be notified of the final selection by June 5, 2024.

  • Participation fees

    The registration fee for this course is $1500 (Canadian dollars).


    This fee includes:

    • Registration for the School 
    • Flight from Montreal to Kuujjuaq
    • Accommodation in Montreal on October 14
    • Accommodation in Kuujjuaq from October 15 to 20 
    • Accommodation on board the CCGS Amundsen from October 20 to 29 (inclusively)
    • All meals from diner on October 14 to lunch on October 30 (inclusively)
    • An attestation of completion from Université Laval (conditional to your participation)


    The fee does not cover:

    • Travel to Montreal 
    • Accommodation and transportation after disembarkation in Quebec City on October 30
    • Insurance coverage (mandatory)


    Payment must be received in full on June 14, 2024. Payment details will be provided to the selected candidates. 

     

    Financial support  

    Selected students from the WAGE Circumpolar Partnership will have to contact Karen Everett to obtain information on financial support offered. A limited number of training fee waivers will also be granted based on merit and need.

Partners

 

partenariat circumpolaire WAGE

 

 

The WAGE Circumpolar Partnership is supported with a partnership grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and is a major research initiative of the Louis-Edmond-Hamelin Chair affiliated with the University of the Arctic.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

Sophie Gallais, Training Program Coordinator, Sentinel North

formation@sn.ulaval.ca

or

Karen Everett, Coordination Team, WAGE Circumpolar Partnership

karen.everett.1@ulaval.ca

 

 international graduate school emerging blue economies in the arctic sentinel north