The Institute of Arctic Studies acts to facilitate student and faculty research, and also sponsors seminars and public events to highlightthe importance of polar regions in world affairs and the functioning of global ecosystems.

Since its founding in 1989, the Institute has established itself as a leading center of Arctic Studies and acts to facilitate faculty and student research, teaching, and an understanding of issues facing high latitude regions.

In 2008, the Institute was awarded a five-year National Science Foundation grant to train a new generation of environmental scientists. Learn more about the Innovative Graduate Education, Research and Training (IGERT) grant by visiting the IGERT website .

Large changes are currently occurring in the northern and polar regions. The extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice is decreasing, thus affecting both marine animals and their subsistence hunters. To the south, some Antarctic ice shelves are retreating and glacial movement is accelerated. Thawing permafrost soils are threatening human structures and persistent organic pollutants are accumulating in Arctic food webs, including people. Arctic ecosystems are experiencing rapid and pronounced environmental change, with resulting disruptions to human populations and ecosystem services. These examples of rapid environmental change between climate, lands, oceans, and ecosystems are increasingly apparent in the northern regions, and may be a harbinger for lower latitudes.

The Institute of Arctic Studies has identified climate change and its influence on the social, cultural, and political dimensions of the North as an area of critical societal importance. The ecosystems and peoples of the Arctic are experiencing significant and rapid change as this region warms and as globalization alters resource extraction, trade, and traditional ways of life.The Dickey Center and the Institute of Arctic Studies are engaged in interdisciplinary study of these transformations with the hope that lessons learned will benefit northern people, increase international understanding, and promote global environmental stewardship.

The Institute's Northern and Polar Studies Initiative links Dartmouth faculty from the College and the Professional schools with colleagues at the U. S. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab to develop programs that promote scholarship and engage students in the social, political and scientific issues of high latitude regions. This initiative expands the Arctic vision of the Institute to more broadly include Canada, the Nordic countries, Russia and the polar regions of the south, Antarctica.

Click here to learn more about the history of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth College.