ACUNS Bridges the Gap: Bringing Northern Research to the Communities it Serves

The Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS) is strengthening the connection between academic research and the communities that inspire it. Recognizing that research can only reach its full potential when it informs and empowers those on the ground, ACUNS works to make Northern-focused scholarship more accessible and meaningful beyond university walls. Through creative outreach initiatives, such as seminars, workshops, student conferences, scholarships, opportunities for institutional networking, and other forms of collaboration that help to connect post-secondary institutions, showcase their work, and translate technical research into practical knowledge that can guide decision-making and spark dialogue in Northern and Indigenous communities. 

This approach reflects ACUNS’ commitment to ensuring that the outcomes of Northern research are not confined to academic journals or conference halls but are instead available in formats that resonate with the people most affected by the findings. Whether informing public policy on Northern sustainability, supporting local educators with new knowledge resources, or showcasing community-led research, ACUNS helps researchers bridge the gap between data and lived experience. 

At the same time, ACUNS continues to invest directly in building Northern research capacity through a number of scholarships, including the CNST Scholarship, the Dr. Weston Blake Jr. Memorial Doctoral Scholarship, the Kay and Peter McGeer Scholarship, the Jim McDonald Scholarship for Northern Research, and the Gunther Abrahamson Caribou Research and Management Award, funded by the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) (awarded biennially). These research grants not only reduce barriers for students working in remote regions but also ensure that new generations of researchers remain grounded in community perspectives. ACUNS has just announced the 2024-25 award winners for each of these categories. Their research ranges from a focus on food security, Indigenous law, human health and zoonosis, oral histories and gender diversity, and glacial hydrology.   

The impact of ACUNS’ work is deeply felt across Northern and Indigenous communities, where student-led research projects supported through the CNST are addressing real-world challenges, such as food security, climate resilience, housing, and cultural preservation. These projects generate new knowledge and build trust, strengthen local capacity, and create pathways for Indigenous and Northern youth to see themselves as leaders in research and innovation. This community-centered approach strongly aligns with the University of the Arctic’s (UArctic) core values of collaboration, inclusion, and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems. Through its ongoing support for student development and knowledge sharing, ACUNS exemplifies how partnerships within the UArctic network can advance education, research, and sustainable development across the circumpolar North. 

This impact is echoed in the words of Pénélope Gervais, the 2024-25 winner of the Dr. Weston Blake Jr.  Memorial Doctoral Scholarship, who told us: 

"Receiving the Dr Weston Blake Jr Memorial Scholarship means so much to me. It not only highlights the importance of my research, but it has also given me more time in the field to collect critical data. It's also allowed me to connect with the community of Qikiqtarjuaq and learn from their firsthand knowledge of the region." 

Photo: award winner, Pénélope Gervais, of the Weston Black Memorial Doctoral Scholarship.