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Arctic Initiative Meeting – June 16, 2026
Session Description
June 16 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Purpose
The evolving international, federal, and provincial fundinglandscape presents an opportunity to convene researchers and governmentpartners around a potential Arctic Initiative. This initiative will have abroad focus on Arctic research, with a specific emphasis on sovereignty-relatedtopics, including dual-use research opportunities.
The Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) Office ishosting an organizing session to align priorities, identify researchers, andshape funding proposals for emerging and anticipated opportunities. The goal ofthe meeting is to explore the university's research strengths and sparkconnections for potential research collaborations related to the Arctic.
We are interested in meeting with researchers currentlyengaged in Arctic research, as well as those engaged in Arctic-adjacentresearch who may not yet frame their work in the Arctic context. Potentialresearch areas include, but are not limited to:
- Climate change, adaptation, and paleoclimate
- Community engagement and Indigenous priorities
- Food security and health/remote health
- Sovereignty, defence, and governance
- Energy and transportation
- Sensors, remote sensing, modelling, and satellite communications
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Archaeology
Meeting Objectives
- Provide an overview of national and international Arctic research funding opportunities, including potential Defence and Dual-Use.
- Discuss a framework for the potential scope of Arctic research (policy, legal issues, geopolitics, engineering, climate, health, etc.), including potential themes, clusters, and projects.
- Discuss potential for and interest in an ISI in this area.
- Explore potential proposals for known and anticipated opportunities.
Format and Agenda
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: ISI Office Classroom, 1140 MaRS West Tower,and Microsoft Teams. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.
- Introductions, Overview, and Context
- 3 Minutes / 3 Slides Showcase: U of T Arctic Research Initiatives - a selection of key U of Tinitiatives will discuss their expertise, ideas, and possible collaborations.As time allows, additional participants will be invited to discuss theirresearch programs (see details below).
- Discussion, Brainstorming, and Ideation
- Potential collaborations, projects, and opportunities
- Anticipating an Arctic DISH
- Potential industry partners
- Potential for an Arctic ISI: themes, clusters, and needs
- Next Steps & Future Opportunities
Invitation to Contribute to the 3 Minutes & 3 Slides Showcase: In theinterest of learning and collaboration, participants may have the opportunityto discuss their research programs during the 3 minutes/3 slides showcase. Ifyou are interested in sharing information about your research program withother participants, please send a short slide deck (up to 3 slides) describingyour research program to the ISI Office (strat.initiatives@utoronto.ca) by EOD Thursday,June 11. These slides will be collated and circulated to all participants.