CSEA Community Initiatives
What if Arctic research could do more than study the challenges communities face—what if it could actively strengthen local health, create jobs, and support cultural practice?
In the Arctic, climate and health research can have an enormous effect on the daily life of people living in rural areas. CSEA’s first research initiative begins with the premise that Arctic research can do more than observe; it can also be used to increase community well-being, develop and support a skilled local workforce, and build sustainable economic models that protect and prioritize cultural subsistence practices.
Our initiative is built on the idea that rural Arctic communities are essential partners in the health research enterprise. Investing in communities’ ability to shape, lead, and benefit from research will yield more resilient, efficient, and effective systems for addressing climate-related health challenges.
Currently, as part of CSEA’s Initiative 1—Enabling Structures to Support Research, Rural Health, and Workforce Development in Alaska—we are partnering with organizations in Alaska to bring this vision into practice. Together, we are creating enabling structures for Arctic community-led and community-serving research and institutional services through:
Analysis and creation of data and research protocols.
Developing MOUs and navigating bureaucracy in ways that reduce barriers for communities.
Building pathways for local economic development through STEM and skilled technical workforce opportunities.
A central goal of this initiative is to grow research-related workforce capacity in the region. This means expanding opportunities for Arctic residents to serve as research staff, field researchers, and technical specialists who can contribute directly to projects while continuing to live and work in their home communities. From GIS and data management to environmental monitoring, health systems support, and field logistics, these skilled technical roles not only strengthen the quality of Arctic research but also create meaningful career pathways for local residents.
CSEA will prioritize research projects and partnerships that align with this initiative. At the same time, we remain open to supporting other community-initiated projects across the Arctic that serve local priorities and strengthen sustainable research practices.
By aligning health research with workforce development, CSEA and its partners are working toward a future where research improves healthcare access, supports local economies, and enhances the ability of communities to sustain cultural and subsistence practices. This initiative demonstrates that Arctic research, when grounded in local leadership, has the power to advance both scientific knowledge and community resilience.