PhD Candidate, UW Anthropology
Charlie’s dissertation examines why and how science and technology assume a special prominence in Alaska Native sovereignties and Arctic cultural politics. His work draws on ethnography with Alaska Native scientists, resource managers, and community first responders working on issues ranging from fisheries management to climate adaptation. He has been the lead Research Assistant for Polar Science at a Human Scale and the Kivalina Sea Ice Project since 2020.

PhD student, UW Geography
Chase’s research broadly explores how digital technology is being, and can be, leveraged in Arctic Indigenous communities to support climate change adaptation strategies, as well as facilitate intergenerational knowledge exchange. She is especially interested in the use of remote sensing, mapping, art and storytelling to decolonize research and support community-led priorities. She holds an MMA from the UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (2022) and a certificate from the UW Center for American and Indigenous Studies (2022). Since 2020, she has served as a Research Assistant for Polar Science at a Human Scale and the Kivalina Sea Ice Project.

Isabel Jamerson is a master's student at University of Washington's School for Marine and Environmental Affairs. Her interests include marine policy, climate adaptation, and environmental justice, and her capstone work focuses on environmental management strategies that center Coast Salish sovereignty and resurgence.

Danny has worked in cetacean research and outreach, local government climate policy, and National Wildlife Refuge conservation and inclusion planning. He is committed to holistic, community-driven work for people and ecosystems, and hopes to broaden the traditional academic approach to environmental issues through necessary inclusion of cultural, political, and environmental elements.

Co-Director, Polar Science at a Human Scale

Colleen is administrator for the City of Kivalina and incident commander for Kivalina Volunteer Search and Rescue. She has three decades of experience in tribal and municipal government, regional economic development, project coordination, and grant writing. Swan is a well-known expert and advocate on environmental and climate issues with nearly three dozen media appearances including The Washington Post, BBC Television, and Science Friday.

Co-Director, Polar Science at a Human Scale

Reppi is president of Kivalina Volunteer Search and Rescue, chief of the Kivalina Volunteer Fire Department, and captain of the 77 Whaling Crew. He is a member of the Kivalina Whaling Captains Association and has served on the Alaska Beluga Commission and the Kivalina IRA Council. In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious Katie John Hunter-Fisher Award by the Alaska Federation of Natives.

As a member of the SMEA capstone “Polar Science at a Human Scale,” Abigail co-designed place-based curriculum for our June 2022 Knowledge and Culture Workshop. She is a 2022-2023 Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellow with the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

As part of the SMEA Capstone Project, “Polar Science at a Human Scale,” Kate managed community engagement for our sea ice knowledge exchange. She is a 2022-23 Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellow with the Puget Sound Partnership.

Lindsey’s SMEA thesis was a collaboration with the fisheries department of Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (Uu-a-thulk) and focused on resurgent Indigenous governance of sea otters on Vancouver Island. She is currently a Project Associate with the Clean Air Task Force in Boston, MA.

As a member of the SMEA capstone “Polar Science at a Human Scale,” Nico co-designed land-based curriculum for our June 2022 Knowledge and Culture Workshop. She served as the inaugural 2021-22 EEL Lab co-coordinator.

Kayla was a member of the “Polar Science at a Human Scale” capstone and co-led our strategic planning work group. She earned an MMA from the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs and an MA from the Jackson School of International Studies. She was a 2021-22 EEL Lab co-coordinator.