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Larry Hinzman named President’s Arctic Professor

July 10, 2024

As a part of the university’s new Arctic Leadership Initiative, �鶹ԭ�� President Pat Pitney recently named Larry Hinzman to a cohort of leaders called “President’s Arctic Professors.”

Hinzman, who will hold a joint faculty position with the Alaska Center for Energy and Power and the Institute of Northern Engineering, is joined by �鶹ԭ�� Anchorage’s Jeff Libby, principal investigator for the Arctic Domain Awareness Center, and Erica Hill, a professor of anthropology at the �鶹ԭ�� Southeast.

The initiative, one of the Board of Regents’ strategic priorities, is designed to position Alaskans as world leaders in the Arctic, give students and early career professionals the foundation and network needed to lead in the changing Arctic and enhance the reputation of �鶹ԭ��’s universities as centers of Arctic expertise.

“The Arctic Leadership Initiative will build pathways for future leaders who will influence the Arctic,” �鶹ԭ�� President Pat Pitney said. “The world is , and Alaska needs leaders, advocates and scholars who can help us drive our own future. This initiative will intentionally develop, elevate and empower those people, and I am thrilled that the �鶹ԭ�� will be the tip of the spear in those efforts.”

Hinzman most recently served as the assistant director of polar sciences in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and as the executive director of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee. He is a former vice chancellor for research and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the �鶹ԭ��. Hinzman served as the director of the �鶹ԭ��F International Arctic Research Center from 2007 to 2015, as a member of the U.S. Polar Research Board and as the U.S. delegate and president of the International Arctic Science Committee.

“Alaska’s role in the Arctic is increasing in importance as the region moves towards an energy transition and shipping lanes open for increased economic potential,” said ACEP Director Jeremy Kasper. “Larry Hinzman’s research leadership, in addition to his national leadership roles and knowledge of Arctic issues and areas of concern, will ensure that �鶹ԭ��F’s energy research will play a pivotal role in the future of the Arctic.”

Larry Hinzman has been a key player in establishing �鶹ԭ��F as a world leader in Arctic-related science and engineering research. As an Arctic Professor, Larry will pass the mantle of research leadership to a new generation of scientists and engineers in order to ensure that �鶹ԭ�� is equipped to navigate the Arctic’s uncertain future.

Each President’s Arctic Professor will receive salary support over the next two years as they devote their time, expertise and acumen to the continued development of the initiative and other programs that increase the impact of �鶹ԭ��’s Arctic activities.

“As the Arctic warms, Alaska faces unprecedented changes that require collaborative research," stated INE Director Nicole Misarti. "INE looks forward to collaborating with Dr. Hinzman as he leverages his leadership skills to foster cooperative research among engineers, natural and social scientists and Arctic communities.”