Karen Kelley (M.A.)
Junior Policy Analyst, INAC
All my life I have always been fascinated with the Arctic environment, climate, wildlife, and especially communities.
I completed my B.A. at the University of Toronto in May, 2007 with a specialist in Environmental Studies and a minor in Geography. It was during my time at university that my passion for the Arctic truly developed. While at the University of Toronto I completed numerous papers, projects, and presentations related to many aspects of the Arctic. Most notably, under the supervision of Dr. Doug Macdonald and Dr. Karen Ing I completed my undergraduate thesis titled Adaptation to Climate Change in the Canadian North. This thesis allowed me to investigate, through literature research and telephone interviews, how climate change is impacting the three Canadian territories; how the communities in these areas are adapting naturally, without government support; how governments are supporting adaptation in the north; and what support is further needed. While carrying out this research I was introduced to Dr. Gita Laidler who was working at the University of Toronto at that time. It was Dr. Laidler who introduced me to the research at Carleton University.
In fall of 2007, I came to Ottawa to begin my Masters in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Carleton University. Under the supervision of Dr. Laidler and Dr. Claudio Aporta, I completed my Masters Thesis titled Policies and Practicalities of Shipping in Changing Ice Conditions: A case study from Cape Dorset, Nunavut. My research combined literature reviews with field work in the Arctic. Fortunately, in May and June, 2008 I was given the opportunity to visit the Arctic - for the second time - and carry out research in Cape Dorset, Nunavut. Throughout this research I sought to:
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•gain an understanding of how sea ice is described, understood and considered politically;
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•learn about how Inuit of Cape Dorset use, view and understand sea ice;
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•understand the linkages between policy and Inuit knowledge into the political realm of sea ice;
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•learn from the Inuit of Cape Dorset and attempt to incorporate their thoughts, opinions and knowledge into the debate surrounding the politics of sea ice; and,
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•gain first hand experience on the sea ice in order to inform and strengthen my overall research.
While completing my Masters, I joined the research team at the GCRC (Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre). My work at the GCRC included assisting with a variety of aspects of the Inuit Sea Ice Use and Occupancy Project (ISIUOP) including digitizing maps, planning and attending meetings and workshops both in Ottawa and Iqaluit, as well as carrying out specific research for the project in Cape Dorset, Nunavut.
Upon completing my Masters, I was recruited to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) through the Post Secondary Recruitment process. At INAC I am currently working for the Arctic Science Policy Directorate as a Junior Policy Analyst. Our Directorate is responsible for carrying out the feasibility study of the High Arctic Research Station (HARS) as well as the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund (ARIF). My work is specifically focused on helping to roll out ARIF, a component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. This initiative is helping to build the network of research facilities across Canada’s Arctic region by upgrading and maintaining existing key Arctic infrastructure. I am really enjoying my work at INAC and am excited to continue my career working on issues that are important to Canada’s Arctic region.
Contact Me:
Arctic Science Policy Directorate
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
10th floor, 15 Eddy
Gatineau, QC
Phone: (819) 934-7745
Email:
