The University College of the North is taking on a major international leadership role after being selected to lead a new Arctic waste management network.
UCN has been chosen as the lead institution for the newly established Thematic Network on Solid Waste Management in the Arctic through the University of the Arctic.
The network was officially approved by the UArctic General Assembly in May following a proposal led by UCN Associate Professor Dr. Anderson Assuah.
The network aims to bring together communities, organizations, and researchers to tackle waste management challenges across the Arctic while incorporating Indigenous knowledge and northern perspectives.
UCN says the initiative will focus on collaboration, research, education, and practical solutions tailored to northern realities.
The new network launches with support from eleven partners, including universities and research institutions from Canada, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, and the Faroe Islands.
Planned activities include community-based research projects, workshops, webinars, panel discussions, and land-based learning opportunities.
Dr. Anderson Assuah, who will lead the network, says Arctic communities face unique challenges managing waste because of factors such as remoteness, extreme weather, and infrastructure limitations.
The initiative is designed to help develop sustainable solutions while working directly with northern and Indigenous communities.
