"The My Northern Project presentation was a rich and meaningful opportunity to share my research with an international audience while networking with folks from different disciplines focused on Arctic issues.
I live and work in Anchorage, Alaska on the homelands of the Dena'ina People who have stewarded this land for time immemorial. I study Digital Heritage Preservation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the Arctic and Northern Studies department. My research focuses on museum education and relationship building around the use of 3D technologies in museum collections, specifically working with Bering Strait region communities and cultural belongings. In addition to 3D technologies and museum applications of their use, my research also examines themes of data sovereignty, co-production of knowledge, and ethics in data management. Aside from my studies, I am also the Assistant Curator of Digital Content & Programs at the Anchorage Museum.
When I read about the opportunity to apply for the My Northern Project competition, I was excited about the prospect of sharing my work with a larger, Arctic-based international audience and connecting with other professionals dealing in similar topics. The challenge of creating a five-minute talk easily understood by a general audience was also a perfect test to refine my own goals of my PhD research. This forced me to think critically about the nature of my work and try to boil it down to main points that could be digested by a diverse audience.
In the end, giving the presentation was the tip of the iceberg in terms of what I gained from this opportunity. Had it not been for the generosity of this grant, I would not have been able to travel from Alaska to Iceland to learn from and listen to so many leading figures in the realm of Arctic research. I was particularly interested in topics about climate justice, Indigenizing Arctic research, youth perspectives on Arctic research, food sovereignty, ethical relationship building, and the role of arts and culture institutions in Arctic research. I have made international connections and learned so much about the work being done to protect and celebrate the Arctic, the place I call home.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to seeing how it impacts my career in the future. Thank you."
Alex Taitt
November 7, 2023
This scholarship was made possible by a private donor making a gift towards youth participation in Arctic events. UArctic thanks the donor for their generosity and support in our mission!