Happy new year to all arcticanthropology readers!!! We hope that 2014 brings us again interesting posts and discussions on this blog, and a growing inspiring academic exchange on topics of relevance for people and societies in the Arctic.

Our first entry this year is an announcement from colleagues from the Extractive Industries Working Group (IASSA EIWG), from Canada, with funding opportunities for research. Arn Keeling from Newfoundland writes

“Please find below a notice of funded graduate student opportunities to work on extractives-related questions at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL. Canadian and international applicants are welcome. Happy holidays!

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Toxic Legacies and Northern Exposures Projects

John Sandlos, Department of History, and Arn Keeling, Department of Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, are seeking four graduate students at the MA level to work on projects related to the history and geography of toxins at abandoned industrial sites in northern Canada. These positions offer opportunities to work as part of an interdisciplinary team, and funding to conduct research travel in northern Canada as necessary. Comprehensive funding packages are available with opportunities to augment the amounts through scholarships or Graduate Assistantships.

Positions Available (starting Fall 2014):

One-Year Master’s (MA) in History

The successful candidates will develop a major paper projects on the toxic legacy of former industrial sites (mines, hydrocarbon developments, exploration sites) in northern Canada. One of these projects will assess the role of history and memory in the current controversy surrounding the environmental assessment of the Giant Mine Remediation Project in Yellowknife, while the theme of the second is open.

Two Year Master’s (MA or M.Sc.) in Geography

One of the successful candidate will produce a thesis-based study of historical land use and ecological change in the Giant Mine area. A second studentship is available to work in conjunction with Knowledge Network on Environment Impact Assessment and Social Impact of Mining in the Canadian Eastern Arctic and Subarctic on a case study related to the Asbestos Hill mine in Nunavik (Northern Quebec).

Memorial University of Newfoundland is one of Canada’s leading comprehensive research institutions. It hosts the largest library in Atlantic Canada in addition to specialized research centres. The university is located in St. John’s, a unique and culturally vibrant city set within stunning natural beauty. ”

You can find the original announcement from last November on Arn’s own blog, which is also great for exploring Canadian mining legacies