A University of Maine and Maine Law team has been awarded a $3 million grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support Arctic interdisciplinary training. Charles H. Norchi, Benjamin Thompson Professor of Law at the University of Maine School of Law, worked with a UMaine team led by Jasmine Saros, associate director of UMaine’s Climate Change Institute and a professor of lake ecology.
The team of professors and researchers worked together to design an interdisciplinary experiential learning program dedicated to the Arctic. In addition to Norchi and Saros, the full team includes:
- Professor Paul A. Mayewski, Director of the Climate Change Institute
- Professor Lee Karp-Boss, Oceanography
- Associate Professor Darren Ranco, Anthropology
- Professor Kathleen Bell, Economics
- Research Assistant Professor Kristin Schild
- Research Assistant Professor Sean Birkel, State Climatologist
- Associate Professor Keith Evans, Economics
“This grant award augments yet another Maine Law niche – Law, Science. and the Arctic,” said Professor Norchi. “Through this grant we will be able to provide our students with new course options, research collaborations, internships, and an Arctic field experience with scientists.”
At Maine Law, Professor Norchi directs the Center for Oceans and Coastal Law which includes the Arctic Law Fellows program. He is a recipient of the Fulbright Arctic Ministry of Foreign Affairs award for Iceland and has been recognized for his work by election as a fellow in the World Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Explorers Club, and the Royal Geographical Society (London). He serves as chair of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Section on Admiralty and Maritime Law.
Learn more about the project on the University of Maine’s website.
