Research Summary
Climate change, perceived sovereignty and security threats, and the search for critical resources are just a few of the geopolitical issues facing the Arctic. As Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North, Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer aims to shed light on how Canada addresses threats and risks to and in the Arctic.
Lackenbauer’s research lies at the intersections of Arctic sovereignty, security, governance, community resiliency and socio-economic development. Using an approach that blends historical and contemporary insights, he and his research team are providing insights into how Canada can balance its sovereignty, security and stewardship responsibilities in a manner that protects and projects Canadian interests and values—particularly those promoted by northern Indigenous Peoples—while building resilient communities and bolstering cooperation among allies in an era of intensifying geopolitical competition.