Research at UAF

Explore core research areas

 

Research in the Arctic

UAF research encompasses the human and physical aspects of life in the North. Our work is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, and many UAF researchers have appointments in two or more academic or research units. No part of the university is untouched by the quest for answers.

 

Research funding

National Science Foundation (NSF)

$52.6M in 2024

Department of Defense (DoD)

$22.1M in 2024

NASA

$24.7M in 2024

 


Core research areas

UAF’s research excellence spans a wide array of disciplines, driving innovation and tackling global challenges. With over 17,000 journal publications, our world-class researchers are making impactful contributions across fields such as environmental science, engineering, and more. This impressive output underscores UAF's leadership in advancing knowledge and fostering groundbreaking discoveries.

 

Pie chart illustrating the breakdown of research at UAF among the areas of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Agricultural and Biological Science; Environmental Science; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Physics and Astronomy; Engineering; Social Sciences; Other
Aerial view of a snow-covered volcano

Earth and planetary sciences

Arctic ground squirrel

Agricultural and biological science

Ice wedges

Environmental science

 


UAF research institutes

UAF leads research in northern and Arctic regions, leveraging our unique location, state-of-the-art facilities, and expertise to advance  knowledge of the Arctic and beyond. From geophysics to food security, UAF drives innovation and solutions in critical areas. Our core research domains include the following:

IANRE researcher Anna Drew harvests a batch of tomatoes from the UAF Experimental Farm.

Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension

Institute of Arctic Biology Lab with Diane O'Brien, front, and Mackenzie Hawkins and Jessica Johnson, back, on the UAF campus

Institute of Arctic Biology

A student prepares a thin slice of ice for inspection of its crystal formation in the Elvey Building's ice lab.

International Arctic Research Center

Wind turbines and solar panels are part of the Kotzebue Energy Association's renewable energy farm

ÐÓ°Épro Center for Energy and Power

A bridge over an icy river

Institute of Northern Engineering

The aurora dances over Poker Flats Research Range while scientists and artists waited for ideal conditions to launch a research rocket.

Geophysical Institute

Hannah Myers collects her hydrophones after they've been sitting on the ocean floor recording Killer Whale calls for the last 12 months. She can use the calls to identify different pods of whales.

Institute of Marine Science

The illuminated mycology display at Andrew Forbes's table at the ÐÓ°Épro Center ICE and URSA Research Showcase.

Undergraduate research

Research within colleges

STEM

Research in STEM fields across the university’s colleges and schools drives innovation and technological advancements that address global challenges.

The College of Engineering and Mines leads studies in civil, geological, and environmental engineering to develop resilient infrastructure and sustainable resource management, while electrical and computer engineers focus on computational electromagnetics, embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, and biomedical engineering to advance technology and solve complex engineering challenges.

The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences conducts extensive research in fisheries, marine biology, and oceanography, focusing on Arctic and North Pacific regions. Projects range from hypothesis-driven studies to long-term monitoring and large integrative projects, addressing topics such as climate change impacts, ecosystem dynamics, and sustainable resource management.

The College of Natural Science and Mathematics conducts research across diverse fields, including atmospheric sciences, biology and wildlife, chemistry and biochemistry, geosciences, physics, statistics, mathematics, and natural resources and environment. These efforts are supported by state-of-the-art facilities such as the Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory and the Arctic Coastal Geoscience Lab, fostering interdisciplinary solutions to environmental and public health challenges.

Humanities and society

Research in the humanities and social sciences examines cultural, economic, and societal dynamics to inform policy and enrich human understanding.

The College of Business and Security Management conducts research in accounting, applied management, and business administration, while also advancing studies in homeland security and emergency management to enhance crisis response and organizational resilience.

The School of Education advances research in pedagogy and counseling to improve educational outcomes and mental health support.

The College of Indigenous Studies conducts research in economic, community, and rural development, child and family development, and Indigenous studies, integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary approaches to support sustainable growth and community well-being.

The College of Liberal Arts conducts research in arts, humanities, cultures, global languages, and social and behavioral sciences, fostering cross-cultural understanding  with modern perspectives to support community well-being and development.

 

University Affiliated Research Center

UAF hosts one of 14 UARCs nationwide.The core mission of the is to assist the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Interagency in achieving dominant capabilities through technical excellence and innovation in early detection and analysis of nuclear proliferation as it applies to geophysical phenomenology.

 


Cover of Impact spring 2025 newsletter

Impact

Impact is our newly imagined research newsletter. The first edition serves as a testament to the transformative research and creative work flourishing at UAF—a reminder of the innovation and pursuit of knowledge taking place at America’s Arctic university. Future editions will spotlight impactful researchers at all stages of their careers, innovative projects, and new initiatives fueled by UAF research.