Laera Institute Curriculum Conversations on Circumpolar Studies

The Laera Institute for Circumpolar Studies is hosting a series of online workshops in January and February 2026 aimed at reviewing and strengthening UArctic’s online core curriculum in Circumpolar Studies. These Curriculum Conversations provide UArctic members with a collaborative space to assess existing courses, identify gaps, and contribute to the future development of circumpolar education across the network.

The workshop series focuses on the three core areas of the Circumpolar Studies curriculum, including Lands and Environments, People and Cultures, and Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar North. Each session is designed to review the two courses within each core area, with participants invited to discuss areas of challenge, gaps in content, and opportunities for improvement. Through engaging educators, researchers, and partners in these discussions, the workshops support a shared approach to curriculum development that reflects evolving priorities across the Circumpolar North.

A final workshop will bring participants together to synthesize feedback from the earlier sessions and map out recommendations for new themes and approaches. The insights gathered throughout the series will contribute to a report that will serve as a roadmap for the redevelopment of the Circumpolar Studies core curriculum, ensuring that future course offerings remain relevant, responsive, and aligned with the needs of Northern learners and communities.

These workshops present an important opportunity to directly shape the direction of circumpolar education by sharing institutional and community perspectives. Strengthening curriculum through collective review can help ensure that course materials better reflect regional realities, support meaningful learning outcomes, and ultimately contribute to stronger connections between education, research, and community priorities across the Arctic.

Workshop 1: Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar World Curriculum Discussion

An online workshop that assesses two courses that comprise the Lands and Environments core curriculum. The focus will be on the identification of key areas of challenge and gaps in curricular materials.

Date and Time: Jan 14 2026 @ 12:30 pm Eastern Time

Link: https://trentu.zoom.us/j/99099952426?pwd=udb24jL47YaCvsYN0OezZmekF00Wbh.1

Workshop 2. People and Cultures of the Circumpolar World Curriculum Discussion

A workshop that assesses the two courses that comprise the People and Cultures core curriculum. The focus will be on identification of key areas of challenge and gaps in curricular materials.

Date and Time: Jan 28 2026@ 12:30 pm Eastern Time

Link: https://trentu.zoom.us/j/99099952426?pwd=udb24jL47YaCvsYN0OezZmekF00Wbh.1 

Workshop 3. Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar North Curriculum Discussion

A workshop that assesses two courses that comprise the Contemporary Issues core curriculum. The focus will be on the identification of key areas of challenge and gaps in curricular materials.

Day and Time: Feb 11 2026 @ 12:30 pm Eastern Time

Link: https://trentu.zoom.us/j/99099952426?pwd=udb24jL47YaCvsYN0OezZmekF00Wbh.1 

Workshop 4. Mapping Out the New Curriculum

A workshop that works to define and make recommendations concerning new themes and approaches to curriculum. The focus will be on synthesizing the larger results of workshop consultation and in identification of key areas of challenge and gaps in curricular materials.

Day and Time: Feb 25 2026 @ 12:30 pm Eastern Time

Link: https://trentu.zoom.us/j/99099952426?pwd=udb24jL47YaCvsYN0OezZmekF00Wbh.1 

All discussions will contribute to a report that serves as a roadmap for Core Circumpolar Studies Curriculum redevelopment. It will be posted to the Laera Institute for Circumpolar Studies website.