U of S grad student receives Arctic Fellowship

University of Saskatchewan graduate student Stephen Higham was named one of only 10 recipients of the prestigious Arctic Foreign Policy Graduate Fellowship at a national Arctic symposium on March 17th. The fellowships, or bursaries, are worth $5,000 apiece and are intended to recognize outstanding graduate work in the area of Arctic or northern research. The fellowships are presented annually by the International Centre for Northern Governance and Development (ICNGD) on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

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Stephen Higham
Higham was recognized for his research on Regulatory Challenges in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the NWT. He was joined by recipients from across the country as well as Canadian students conducting Arctic research abroad in such locations as Tromsø, Norway. Some of the other graduate research topics included: the implications of shipping in the Arctic, and indigenous issues in Arctic research, education, and sustainability.
"These fellowships are a huge help in allowing students like me to add to a growing body of northern research," said Higham. "But the bursaries aren't the only reason this annual symposium is so important. It's an opportunity for top researchers and graduate students to share ideas, approaches, and policies. I was truly honoured to have my work recognized and to be able to take part in this event."
The fellowships were awarded at the annual symposium, hosted by the ICNGD, which serves as an opportunity to award the fellowships as well as discuss the latest research and emerging developments in northern issues. Top researchers from across Canada came out for the event, including: Ken Coates, Dean of Arts at the University of Waterloo; Gary Wilson, Chair of Northern Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia; and Thierry Rodon from the University of Laval.
About the Arctic Foreign Policy Graduate Fellowships:
The objectives of the fellowship are to foster innovative research and policy development on a range of issues related to the circumpolar world; encourage and promote research of circumpolar studies by Canadian graduate students; and encourage research in the circumpolar world in the interest of higher education, scholarship, and an informed public.
For more information:
Colleen Cameron, Communications Coordinator
International Centre for Northern Governance & Development
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-1609
Email: colleen.cameron@usask.ca
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