Natural and Built Landscapes in the Arctic
Sensor networks from human to landscape scales
I joined the Arctic CoLab at the University of Virginia in 2019, a team that links environmental science, architecture, engineering, and landscape design. We are developing a project to install sensor networks in Utqiagvik, Alaska that would span the watershed to human scales. We plan to explore how human activities impact the surrounding landscape, while the environment itself constrains development and behavior, all in a climate change context. I am particularly interested in how nearby lagoons - the drinking water source, and the sewage treatment facilities - will be impacted by coastal erosion, human development, and permafrost thaw.
Convergence and Co-Production of Knowledge
Our work in Utqiagvik centers on input from the local community and North Slope stakeholders. We are seeking the perspectives and cooperation of organizations like the North Slope Borough, the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation Science, and others to help us determine target areas of research. Our ultimate goal is for the knowledge we produce to enhance both our fundamental understanding of Arctic processes, and be a tool for local stakeholders to use in planning for a more sustainable future.