The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada recently announced funding for a new Northern research project called Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic (ReSDA). The main focus of ReSDA’s research will be on finding ways to ensure that a larger share of the benefits of resource development stay in the region with fewer costs to communities. The Network will mobilize researchers around the questions of finding out how to maximize benefits of resource development to northern regions and communities and minimize the social, economic, cultural, and environmental costs. The primary objective of the research will be to cultivate innovative approaches to the best ways of natural resource developments s to improve the well-being of northern communities while preserving the region’s unique ecosystem. This issue is all the more pressing given the increased demand for natural resources globally, with many of these resources existing in Arctic locations.
Each year ReSDA will organize an annual research workshop based on a central theme. This first one is devoted to the discussion of a research plan for the next 7 years. Discussion with community partners about research priorities began in 2010. This initial annual workshop in Yellowknife will provide researchers with an opportunity to reflect on recommendations from communities and discuss how these suggestions should be translated into formal research questions.
Following a meet and greet session on Wednesday evening at the Explorer Hotel the workshop will start with a presentation of some research priorities from several community partners on Thursday morning. Thursday afternoon and Friday will be comprised of panel presentations by ReSDA researchers organized according to research areas. During these presentations the researchers will be asked to respond to the community partners and to offer suggestions regarding the central research questions that ReSDA should be examining.
Registration Form - Please note that registration for this workshop is now closed.
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