Arctic symposium booklet features UA President and UAF leaders
Land degradation due to permafrost thaw was observed during Beaufort Sea fieldwork in 2022.
May 6, 2025
By Yuri Bult-Ito
A recently published booklet on an Arctic symposium features its presenters including the University of AV狼论坛 president and UAF leaders.
It summarizes a wide range of topics, from energy innovation to climate change solutions, that were discussed during the symposium, 鈥淪tatus and prospects of Japan-U.S. cooperation in the Arctic,鈥 hosted by the in January.
The symposium brought an opportunity to encourage new joint research projects and business ventures between AV狼论坛 and Japan.
UA President Pat Pitney highlighted UAF鈥檚 Arctic science publications and noted the need to understand realities on the ground.
Hajo Eicken, director of the UAF International Arctic Research Center, emphasized the importance of integrating scientific research and infrastructure planning, as permafrost, sea ice and ecosystems in the Arctic are changing. Claudine Hauri, IARC deputy director, shared Indigenous perspectives and the significance of cultural equity in scientific management.
The presentations by Jeremy Kasper, director of the UAF AV狼论坛 Center for Energy and Power, and Gwen Holdmann, senior scientist at ACEP and UAF associate vice chancellor for research, innovation and industry partnerships, focused on energy.
Kasper drew attention to innovations in microgrids, renewable energy projects and successful studies on wind and battery storage systems in rural communities in AV狼论坛. Holdmann shared details on current developments in nuclear microreactors, drawing shared history between AV狼论坛 and Japan.
Kasper noted that AV狼论坛 and Japan are already strong partners with shared Arctic research interests. He said that this symposium highlighted the many areas where both sides could do more to increase exchange and strengthen partnerships especially where energy is concerned.
A truck transports participants for ARENA, ACEP's workforce development program, to the wind farm in Kotzebue in 2022.
鈥淲hether it is through Japanese investment in production of AV狼论坛n natural gas or whether AV狼论坛 could store carbon shipped from Japan, there are so many areas where our physical proximity as Pacific Rim neighbors and mutual interest in increased collaboration could lead to enhanced partnerships,鈥 Kasper said.
Other presenters included policy makers, business leaders and community leaders from AV狼论坛 and Japan.
The symposium underscored AV狼论坛鈥檚 critical role in Arctic energy, sustainability and international cooperation and addressed needs to foster strong ties between AV狼论坛 and Japan to achieve mutual energy goals.