News and Announcements

ISER and the UAA Department of Public Policy and Administration are co-hosting a seminar with Dr. Chad Briggs on Thursday, March 24, from noon-1 p.m. Dr. Briggs will give an overview of the recent expansion of the war in Ukraine, including security and energy implications for the United States and Alaska. A Q&A will follow.

Dr. Diane Hirshberg, professor of education policy, has been selected as Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Dr. Hirshberg is an 18-year veteran of UAA and ISER, and has served in leadership roles such as President of UAA’s faculty senate and advisor to the Chancellor on Arctic Research and Education. She was the founding director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and is currently Vice-President Academic at the University of the Arctic.

2022

• Talk of Alaska: Critical Minerals In Alaska, Alaska Public Media, October 3, 2022
• New US climate law could lead to a mining ‘renaissance’ in Alaska, drawing excitement and concern, Anchorage Daily News, September 6, 2022

List of news articles from 2021 that reference ISER studies or researchers.

The rank of Staff Emerita was conferred upon Linda Grant during ceremonies earlier this month. This high honor is in recognition of her distinguished career at UAA’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), and was recommended by her colleagues with the concurrence of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. 

Understanding Alaska and Alaskans is fundamental to shaping the state’s future. In 1961, Alaska’s Second State Legislature acknowledged the importance of this research mission and understood how it would inform policy and critical decisions facing the new state. This led to the creation of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Since then, ISER research has contributed to just about every public policy topic in the state, including the Arctic, natural resources, education, telecommunications, the Permanent Fund, fisheries, health care and – of course – Alaska’s economy.

Celebrate the second annual UA Giving Day starting on November 9, 2021, when the 49 hours for Alaska campaign begins. Marcia Trudgen, former ISER Associate Director and UAA staff alumna, is challenging friends, alumni, and colleagues to make a gift on Giving Day 2021. When 10 people give to ISER Excellence, her $5,000 gift will unlock to support the ISER Excellence Fund.

A July 2021 report by Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi found that research activities throughout the University of Alaska system create an enterprise that added $242 million in economic benefit to the state in 2020, measured by jobs supported, total payroll produced and business sales generated. The infusion of these research dollars into Alaska leads to economic expansion.

Dr. Diane Hirshberg, Professor of Education, has been appointed Interim Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Dr. Hirshberg is an 18-year veteran of UAA and ISER, and has served in leadership roles such as President of UAA’s faculty senate and advisor to the Chancellor on Arctic Research and Education. She was the founding director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and is currently Vice-President Academic at the University of the Arctic.

ISER is currently looking for a new director, who will coordinate research activities both within the institute and with other institutions and agencies, and will supervise a multi-disciplinary team consisting of 30 people, including faculty, administrative and research staff, and student researchers.