Marine Ecosystem Sustainability in the Arctic and Subarctic
MESAS Leadership Keith Criddle Fisheries economist Ginny Eckert, PI MESAS Director Marine ecologist William Smoker Fisheries biologist Gordon Kruse Fisheries scientist Maribeth Murray Anthropologist, Historical ecologist Jan Carlile Program coordinator
MESAS IGERT Interdisciplinary Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) program Catalyze change in field of study Foster interdisciplinary science NSF funding through 2013 provides 2 year fellowships: $30K/year plus tuition for US students seeking PhD UAF supplements 2 year NSF fellowship with third year of guaranteed funding
GOALS of MESAS Train graduate students in novel approaches to marine resource issues Prepare professionals to solve problems at the socio- ecological interface Understand the entire process of policy implementation Promote collaborative research, integration of broader perspectives Understand the interconnected factors of a healthy marine ecosystem Promote sustainability of resources
Disciplines Anthropology Cross-Cultural Studies Ecology Economics Fisheries science Management Marine policy Oceanography
Recruitment and admissions Program Steering Committee, Admissions Committee Cohorts: – 2009 (4), 2010 (3), 2011 (6), 2012 (6) – 16 female, 3 male – 4 minority 2010: SELMR Master’s program (11 students) – Sustainable Ecosystem-Based Management of Living Marine Resources
Curriculum Year 1 Summer: Social, Oceanographic, and Ecological Perspectives in Marine Ecosystems Year 1 Fall: Marine Ecosystems; Sustainability/Management course: Human Dimensions of Marine Systems OR Management of Renewable Marine Resources OR Global to Local Sustainability Year 1 Spring: Seminar (every year), Traditional Ecological Knowledge Year 2 Summer: North Pacific Fisheries Management Council; Internship Every year: Tutor Native/rural Alaskan undergraduate students
Invited Scholars program Larry CrowderPhil Levin Prominent figures in all disciplines Meet, interact and discuss with students Promote contact with professionals Denise BreitburgRebecca Martone
Achieving Interdisciplinarity Summer course Yearly seminar Incorporation of social & natural sciences Conference and workshop activities – Inter-IGERT workshop Inclusion of SELMR students in MESAS classes and activities
Summer Class and Retreat