The Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS) has been connecting Arctic research since 1988. ARCUS achieves our Vision and serves our Mission through the four Goals of networking, communications, education, and research community support & facilitation. Guided by our Values, we connect Arctic research across the boundaries of organizations, disciplines, geographies, sectors, knowledge systems, and cultures. Based in the United States, ARCUS serves a globally connected, diverse Arctic research community, with an emphasis on connecting U.S. researchers. We are supported by government agencies, foundations, and others who share our enthusiasm for connected Arctic research.
The Arctic research community advances understanding of the Arctic through science, Indigenous knowledge, technology, and education. ARCUS promotes the application of this knowledge to Arctic and global challenges, and helps the research community to address questions that require the collaborative skills and resources of scientists, engineers, educators, Indigenous knowledge holders, and others. To further advance a holistic understanding of the Arctic, ARCUS works collaboratively with other boundary-crossing organizations with shared goals and objectives, such as the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC), the Polar Research Board (PRB), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the Arctic Institute of North America (AINA), the European Polar Board (EPB), the Arctic Council, the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), the University of the Arctic (UArctic), and Polar Educators International (PEI).
It is the intent of ARCUS to enhance the engagement of Arctic Indigenous communities, organizations, and peoples in research, recognizing that much research occurs within Indigenous communities, on their land, and/or utilizes Indigenous knowledge; that Indigenous Knowledge holds its own methodologies, validation, and evaluation processes; the need for Indigenous community-driven research; and that Indigenous communities are a vital part of the ‘research community’. We will focus on institutionalizing intersectional engagement with a clear focus and extra effort. We also will be applying knowledge of the ethical ways of engaging this marginalized community and respectful language.