http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/mesas/

Marine Ecosystem Sustainability in the Arctic and Subarctic

MESAS Leadership

Keith CriddleFisheries economist

Ginny Eckert, PI MESAS DirectorMarine ecologist

William SmokerFisheries biologist

Gordon KruseFisheries scientist Maribeth Murray

Anthropologist, Historical ecologist

Jan CarlileProgram 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

DisciplinesAnthropology

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 Crowder Phil 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