OVERVIEW

The Center for Arctic Security and Resilience (CASR) was established in early 2020 as a continuation of a former center in response to increased demand for related research and activities. The Arctic Security part of the center provides leading expertise on Arctic issues involving U.S. national security, national defense, military, homeland defense, and homeland security. Many members of CASR have broad expertise and experience with the public-sector authorities that have responsibilities in such areas, especially with the Department of Defense and State Department as well as NORAD and NATO at the international level. The Arctic Resilience part of the center also provides prominent expertise on Arctic issues involving climate change and adaptation, disaster management and climate security that also includes numerous security subtopics involving human security, food security, energy security, corporate security, and many others. Many members of CASR have impressive experience and credentials in these areas also, especially with regard to climate security, where CASR has a strong capacity to provide knowledge and experience in policy and disaster management complimentary to the natural sciences and engineering aspects.

In its short time in operation, CASR has been busy with many Arctic activities, engagements, education and scholarly achievements. CASR is a co-host of the Arctic eTalks, a monthly series with senior authorities co-hosted with USNORTHCOM, USEUCOM, USINDOPACOM and eleven supporting national and international partners so far as well as many other security-related events. Regarding research, CASR oversees a Canadian DND-funded research project involving a year-long baseline study of Arctic Special Operations Forces. Additionally, CASR is currently providing academic support for an Arctic Council project with the EPPR working group. Scholarly endeavors thus far have resulted in many peer-reviewed, edited and other publications. CASR is also regularly contacted by media for expert perspectives. Education efforts continue with the Department of Defense Arctic Defense and Security Orientation program that began in 2013, which is responsible for providing the comprehensive baseline knowledge of the Arctic region to defense personnel.

Areas of security include:

• Climate / environmental
• Political
• Military
• Economic
• Energy
• Food
• Social / cultural
• Human

The Center for Arctic Security and Resilience (CASR) leads the defense-related education and research of Arctic security for the University of Alaska. Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and Arctic and Northern Studies (ACNS) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks collaborate to offer students a number of ways to become educated on and pursue research related to Arctic security. HSEM’s Master’s in Security and Disaster Management offers a concentration in Arctic Security. UAF also offers a graduate certificate in Arctic Security. Students are able to pursue security-related themes in the B.A. and M.A. in Arctic and Northern Studies degrees. Finally, students can obtain an Arctic Security micro-credential through AlaskaX.

Previous and ongoing affiliations and collaborative research are key components of UAF’s Arctic security portfolio. CASR has partnered with the following agencies and organizations in recent years:

• Department of Defense (2013 – present)
  • USNORTHCOM and Alaskan Command
    • Arctic Defense and Security Orientation Program (ADSO), (2013 – present)
    • Operation Uggianatqtuq – U.S. Air Force Arctic Security (Pentagon) Expedition
    • Arctic Collaborative Workshop (2014, 2016)
  • USNORTHCOM
    • Arctic Information Environment - Strategic Analysis
      
      • Great Power Competition in the Arctic Information Environment
      • Various analysis projects
    • North American Defense and Security Academic Alliance (NADSAA) (2017, 2018, 2020)
    • The Watch (USNORTHCOM publication)
  • Alaskan Command
    • Arctic Maritime Symposium (hosted by CDRUSNORTHCOM - 2018, CDRALCOM - 2019)
    • Arctic Synchronization Forum (est. 2020)
  • Alaska National Guard – Conferences and professional development
  • United States Army Alaska (USARAK)
    • Senior leader symposium development
    • US Army Arctic Strategy review
    • Leader Professional Development (CDRUSARAK Jul 2021)
• Department of National Defence (Canada)
  • Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) Program (2020 - Present)
• Arctic Council
  • Gwich’in Council International (GCI) (2012 – present)
  • Senior Arctic Officials – plenary sessions (2016, 2017)
  • SDWG (2014, 2016)
• Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS)
  • Development of the nation’s first Regional Tribal Emergency Management system
    • Assist with design and build-out of nine Emergency Operation Centers (EOC), one in every village with a Regional EOC in Utqiagvik at ICAS headquarters
    • Development of a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)
• NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (2017 – 2020)
• University of the Arctic (UArctic) (2014 – present)
  • Model Arctic Council
• Trent University: North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN) (2020 – present)
  • Advancing Collaboration in Canada-US Arctic Regional Security (ACCUSARS)
    • 4-session invitational workshop (1: Sep 2020, 2: TBD, 3: TBD, 4: TBD)
    • Network coordinator / co-director and editor: Quick Impact reports
• University of Manitoba: Non-resident research fellow support to the Centre for Defence and Security Studies (CDSS) (2018 – present)