Community-driven research on marine harvested and farmed species
Interface of Change is the sixth phase of Alaska NSF EPSCoR. A $20-million award from the National Science Foundation funds this statewide, five-year project to build capacity for co-developed, use-inspired research across the Gulf of Alaska.
Resilience in the Gulf of Alaska
Interface of Change centers partnerships between researchers, Gulf of Alaska community members, Tribes, educators, and entrepreneurs. Through these connections, project participants work collaboratively to investigate the resilience of marine species that are critical to the subsistence way of life as well as developments in the mariculture economy in the Gulf of Alaska.
Partnering with Gulf of Alaska coastal communities
Interface of Change brings together researchers from the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Alaska Southeast in partnership with Gulf of Alaska community members from Seldovia, Homer, Cordova, Valdez, Juneau, Haines, and Klukwan.
We're looking for people who hold an interest in coastal ecologies, food security, and developing economies in this region to get involved in the Interface of Change project. We offer opportunities to provide feedback on our work, funding, and we invite collaboration. We welcome you to reach out if you are interested in partnering with us.
Project News
Mar 31
Alaska EPSCoR is hosting three annual Interface of Chance project community workshops in April in Klukwan, Haines, and Seldovia for residents to learn and engage with local, community-driven research. Workshops will have dinner, door prizes, and dialogue around observations of change in coastal environments, harvest, communities, and local economies around the Gulf of Alaska.
Mar 13
The Alaska NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Interface of Change project is soliciting proposals for seed grants from researchers, students, and project partners to carry out new and innovative research projects that support Interface of Change goals. Seed award projects should address themes relevant to the EPSCoR “Interface of Change” project.
Feb 26
This month, the Interface of Change project was invited to participate in the first Cordova Science Gathering. The Cordova Science Gathering is a local event organized by the Native Village of Eyak, Prince William Sound Science Center, Chugach Regional Resources Commission, and other regional partners. The event offers an opportunity for Cordovans of all-ages to gain a deeper understanding of the research and monitoring efforts happening in the area and features local artists and performers. Presenters were encouraged to take a community-centered approach to foster dialogue between researchers and residents to co-create knowledge. Tommy Sheridan, Cathy Renfeldt, Matt Piché, Krysta Williams, and Erik Schoen gave updates on the Interface of Change project as one of the Cordova Science Gathering workshops.
Research Areas
Southeast Alaska
Haines and Klukwan
Northern Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound
Kachemak Bay and Cordova
Northern Gulf of Alaska
Seldovia and Homer
Gulf-wide
Candidate study watersheds include the Chilkat River, Copper River, Taku River, Auke Creek, and Berners River
Gulf-wide
Homer, Seldovia, Seldovia Village, Valdez, Cordova, Haines, Klukwan
Building STEM Capacity for Alaskans