Science for Alaska: Working Together on the Bering Sea: Coastal Hazard Science Powered by Communities

Presented by
Chris Maio, Associate Professor, UAF
& the ACTION Team (Alaska Coastal Cooperative for Co-producing Transformative Ideas and Opportunities in the North)

Join us for a voyage across the Bering Sea — an exploration of science, culture and communication aboard the R/V Sikuliaq. This talk highlights a 16-day summer Convergence Research Cruise, funded by the National Science Foundation, which sailed from Seward to Nome with port calls for research and community-driven science and public engagement in Chignik Bay, Atka and Gambell. The cruise served as a grand experiment in co-producing knowledge across disciplines and cultures.

The science crew included Indigenous research partners, interdisciplinary scientists and students from four universities, a program evaluator and a filmmaker. Together, they advanced the mission of the Alaska Coastal Cooperative ACTION Project, which aims to strengthen communication among universities, agencies and coastal communities; deliver applied science that addresses local priorities; and provide workforce development and youth engagement.

An interdisciplinary team will share key highlights from the voyage and discuss the broader outcomes and lasting impacts of this work.

Want to join virtually instead? Register on Zoom (https://bit.ly/ScienceForAK26-Zoom) or watch live from the UAF Geophysical Institute Facebook page (@UAF.GI). You can also join the 2026 event on Facebook for updates.

Learn more about Science for Alaska talks: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/scienceforalaska