Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference

Alaska Sea Grant and the UAF Bristol Bay Campus are hosting the 14th annual Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC) April 21–22. Registration is now open and abstracts are being accepted for the online conference.

WAISC focuses on scientific research and knowledge relevant to Western Alaska and brings together local and indigenous knowledge of economic, ecological, social, and health issues important to rural, subsistence-based communities. This year’s conference theme is “adapting connections through shared knowledge, science, and experience.”

The event will feature discussions, networking, and talks on education, sustainable energy, climate, natural sciences, and arts and humanities. Last year, the conference included talks on coastal erosion, berry monitoring, sockeye salmon stocks, and much more.

Researchers from any scientific discipline are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations on empirical or theoretical work relevant to Western Alaska. This is an opportunity for researchers to share their work with colleagues and Western Alaska communities. Sessions include: Education in Rural Communities; Sustainable Energy; Climate, Environment and Influences on Society; Natural Sciences in a Changing World; and Joining Arts, Sciences and Humanity in Rural Alaska.

The conference is open to the public, and has a registration fee of $15. Support from Alaska EPSCoR is covering the fee for the first 100 registrants. Visit the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference website for details and to register. 

The Southwest Interagency Meeting (SWIM) will be held Wednesday, April 20, in conjunction with WAISC.

For more information contact Gabe Dunham at gabe.dunham@alaska.edu or (907) 796-5454.