Opportunity

The Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP) seeks to expand its team to include an innovative and energetic researcher and practitioner with interest and aptitude in Indigenous evaluation. We aim to build capacity in evaluating the effectiveness of climate adaptation actions on the ground in Alaska and the community and societal impact of climate related co-production research. The position may also involve convening and coordinating a network of Indigenous evaluators in climate adaptation and resilience throughout Alaska. Our preference is for a postdoctoral candidate, but we will also consider applicants with a masters degree and comparable professional experience. Salary will be commensurate with experience. The project length will be 2 years, with the possibility of extension if funds are available and all parties are amenable. The position is available immediately and will be open until filled. Residence in Alaska and experience with Indigenous evaluation, Indigenous methodology, and knowledge co-production are preferred.

With temperatures warming in the Arctic at over twice the rate of other parts of the planet, the direct impacts of climate change are being experienced first-hand in both urban and rural communities throughout Alaska and the Arctic including through infrastructure damage, changing food security, and stressors health and well-being. There are opportunities for forward-looking actions that can proactively build economic and workforce development. Twenty percent of Alaska’s population is Indigenous. With deep cultural roots in connection to the land and as the First Peoples to steward the land and resources, Alaska Native peoples are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Even with substantial cultural experience with adaptation, historical and on-going colonization challenges adaptive capacity.

Federal initiatives such as Justice 40 and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Climate Resilience Program bring increased funding to Alaska Native communities and tribes for climate adaptation. At the same time, there are increased efforts from funding agencies and programs to enhance climate and community-related research, especially research that is conducted in partnership with communities through knowledge co-production. How do we know if climate adaptation efforts are effective and benefit local communities in Alaska? How do we identify and assess the community and societal benefit of transdisciplinary climate related co-production research in Alaska? There is a growing need in Alaska for evaluating both the effectiveness of climate adaptation actions on the ground, and the community and societal impact of climate related co-production research. A key element of this is understanding diverse value systems and the possibility for multiple visions of success. All research will be conducted within guidelines of ethical research in the Arctic and in a co-production framework.

ACCAP is seeking to explore one or both of these questions with practical, case study research. Our goal is to provide practical insight to real-time experiences and contribute to the peer-reviewed literature at the intersection of Indigenous evaluation, climate adaptation, and knowledge co-production. The position also offers experience in boundary spanning and professional development by leading an effort to build networked capacity in Alaska for Indigenous evaluation practice. This would involve coordinating, convening, and organizing meetings, workshops, and training related to Indigenous evaluation, specifically as related to climate adaptation and resilience.

Questions, expressions of interest, and applications should be directed to: Sarah Trainor, sftrainor@alaska.edu, 907-474-7878. Please use “ACCAP Indigenous Evaluation” in the email subject line.

Please submit a cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Materials will be accepted immediately. The position is open until filled. Additional application materials may be requested.