Norway. Iceland. Greenland. Finland. Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer had a busy fall travelling the Circumpolar North to share his research on Arctic security and discern options to identify and manage emerging threats through, to, and within the Arctic.  

Professor Lackenbauer, who teaches in the School for the Study of Canada and is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, is also playing a pivotal role in the development of a new microcredential program in Arctic Security and Governance with Continuing Education at Trent. 

“The spillover effects of Russia’s brutal large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 have reverberated throughout the Circumpolar North,” said Prof. Lackenbauer. “With a greater understanding of these dynamics, we will be better positioned to bolster resilience in our society and ensure that the rights and interests of Northern Peoples are not sidelined.” 

Influencing Arctic security policy

Collaborating with Arctic researchers, Prof. Lackenbauer’s work was references throughout the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence, and Veterans Affairs' examination of Arctic security report. Mirroring a similar effort by the UK's House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, the report acknowledges the Arctic as the ancestral homelands of Indigenous peoples and underscores significant threats to these communities, including climate change, geopolitical tensions, and cyber-attacks. 

Inclusive approach to Arctic research

Prof. Lackenbauer's research addresses the impact of climate change on first responders in the Canadian North.  As an advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in Arctic security discussions, he recognizes their contributions to crafting effective and culturally sensitive responses.  

To further his research, he co-hosted the Trenton Arctic Search and Rescue (SAR) Exchange. 

“Our interdisciplinary work on Search and Rescue in Inuit Nunangat, led by Dr. Kikkert, is co-designed and co-created with Inuit experts,” Prof. Lackenbauer explains. “It is humbling to hear stories from Canadians who literally put their lives on the line to save others, and it is a privilege to help share Northerners’ insights and priorities with policy makers so that they can have direct, positive effects in communities.” 

Prof. Lackenbauer also recently co-hosted a workshop on Gender and Arctic Security with Trent’s 2024 Ashley Fellow Bridget Laroque. Attended by academic partners, Indigenous Knowledge holders, and experts, the event explored diverse perspectives and intersectional identities crucial to creating responsible responses to a changing world. 

Recent events organized with the Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa further showcased Prof. Lackenbauer's commitment to fostering international dialogue. The Norway-Canada Gauntlet Seminar on Defence and Security in the Arctic and High North brought together experts to discuss strategic lessons in a time of growing competition. Hybrid warfare, a key focus of Prof. Lackenbauer's collaborative research, highlights the evolving approaches of Russia and China, utilizing disinformation campaigns to exploit divisions among Arctic states. 

Looking ahead, Prof. Lackenbauer anticipates further engagements in Washington, Alaska, Norway, and Latvia, underscoring the ongoing impact of his research on policy and practice.  

“Our research is having a significant impact on policy and practice at a time of tremendous challenge and opportunity,” Prof. Lackenbauer notes. “Our relationships throughout the Canadian and Circumpolar North are instrumental to guiding our efforts and keeping them purposeful and relevant.”