51品茶students and faculty share research at Collaborative Arctic Showcase
UNE鈥檚 broad research interests and strengths were on display at a collaborative showcase organized and hosted by the Maine North Atlantic and Arctic Education Consortium. Eleven 51品茶undergraduate and graduate students and faculty shared posters depicting research in the humanities, social sciences and marine sciences. The event, held at the University of Southern Maine on April 6, attracted more than 180 attendees interested in Maine鈥檚 developing role as a leader in North Atlantic and Arctic education, research and business development.
Throughout the evening, attendees and researchers shared interests and questions, making valuable connections for future collaboration. Researchers from the University of Southern Maine, the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine Orono, Saint Joseph鈥檚 College, the Maine Irish Heritage Center, Bates College and the Biodiversity Research Institute also attended. The event featured a cooperative display by UNE鈥檚 Maine Women Writers Collection and Bowdoin鈥檚 Peary- MacMillan Arctic Museum, celebrating through photos and artifacts the Arctic exploration accomplishments of Admiral Robert Peary, his wife, Josephine, and their daughter, Marie.
Charles Tilburg, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Marine Sciences, was impressed by UNE鈥檚 representation at the event. 鈥淭he 2018 showcase was a wonderful opportunity that brought 51品茶faculty and students from all different disciplines together with other academics, business people, and the public to speak about what is going on in the Arctic,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 was particularly impressed by the breadth of the work presented both by our folks and others. In a span of only ten minutes, I spoke with a 51品茶English professor who showed me excerpts from her upcoming book on indigenous animal stories, a 51品茶marine affairs professor who described her work on marine spatial planning in Iceland, and three 51品茶students who discussed their study of the effects of environmental variables on blue mussels.鈥
Marine Biology major Katherine Parker 鈥18 shared her research with attendees from all walks of life. 鈥淚 had the opportunity to share the story of my research on farmed blue mussels with people from all backgrounds, which I felt created a unique exchange of information,鈥 she shared. 鈥淚 had conversations that ranged anywhere from intellectual property policy to the impacts of climate change, while also educating the general public about the importance of sustainable aquaculture.鈥
Ben Ford Esq. of law firm Verrill Dana, an event sponsor, commented, 鈥淎rctic and North Atlantic development presents a challenge: to mitigate the harm of global warming, secure the wellbeing of indigenous people and learn to utilize Arctic resources in a sustainable way. The task will require research, planning, investment, and, most importantly, hard work. The Collaborative Showcase participants showed ingenuity, curiosity, and determination, proving again that nobody is better suited to the task than a Mainer."
The Maine North Atlantic and Arctic Education Consortium, of which 51品茶is a member, is committed to educating the public about the economic, cultural and environmental issues facing the Maine, North Atlantic and Arctic region. This was the first of what organizers hope to be an annual event to promote Maine鈥檚 role as a research and education leader in the region and to build collaboration between the state鈥檚 education and research institutions.
To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions
