Date

Circumpolar Arctic Social Sciences PhD Network Course
Yukon and Northwest Territories, Canada
August 2003

Deadline extended to May 10, 2003


The Circumpolar Arctic Social Sciences PhD Network meets each year to
explore issues of social, economic and cultural change in northern
communities. This year, it will meet in Canada, travelling to the Yukon
and Northwest Territories, to examine a variety of modes of
industrialization, in the historic context of "boom-and-bust", by
drawing on the experiences of both old and new developments in mining,
hydrocarbons, and pipelines. Meetings will include representative
speakers from territorial and federal government departments, aboriginal
organizations, and northern communities. As usual, course participants
will also be making presentations on the theoretical and methodological
aspects of their own research in various fields of arctic social
science. Some group research/evaluation projects will also be designed
for students to undertake together during the course of the travels -
there will be some long stretches of bus travel on the northern highways.

The group will convene in Prince George, BC, Canada, then travel by bus
up the Alaska Highway, stopping in Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse
and Dawson City to name a few places. Then we will take the Dempster
Highway to Inuvik, and return south to Yellowknife and Edmonton by air.
Participants must be willing to camp, and to participate in meal
preparation and other camp duties that contribute to the group's
maintenance.

The purpose of the CASS network is to build circumpolar networks of
students and faculty, who are working in various fields of the social
sciences. The course is aimed at doctoral students, but advanced masters
students may also apply - there are approximately 18 spaces available.

The trip is planned for the last half of August, 2003. Dates are yet to
be confirmed specifically. Delivery of the course is dependent on the
Network acquiring sufficient funding. A generous contribution has been
committed by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade, but other funds will have to be found as well.

Applicants are asked to submit information regarding their course of
study, specific thesis research area, and relevance of this course to
their study. Selection will be determined by course organizers. Students
who participate will be asked to seek funding or travel grants to help
contribute to the CASS costs. Students must also be able to supply
their own sleeping bags, and if possible tents (to be shared).

Should you wish to apply, please contact the following by May 10, 2003:

For American students:
Rick Caulfield,
Dept. of Alaska Native and Rural Development
University of Alaska Fairbanks
r.caulfield [at] uaf.edu

For European students:
Rasmus O. Rasmussen,
Roskilde University
rasmus [at] ruc.dk

For Canadian students:
Heather Myers
Northern Studies Coordinator
University of Northern BC