Dr. Patrick Maher, a professor in Nipissing University's School of Physical and Health Education, has been named a research fellow under the University of the Arctic (UArctic) and Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF) initiative. This initiative focuses on enhancing understanding and mitigating the risks associated with maritime activities in the Arctic.
UArctic, in partnership with the LRF, recently announced the appointments of five esteemed research fellows funded by the Foundation through the joint initiative, Maritime Safety: Learning from the Past to Address Challenges to the Safety of Peoples in the Arctic. These fellowship projects will span two years, concluding at the end of 2026. This initiative is part of a broader partnership between UArctic and the Lloyd's Register Foundation, focused on enhancing understanding and mitigating the risks associated with maritime activities in the Arctic.
As part of his appointment, Dr. Maher will lead the Cruise Ship Sagas project, which explores the narratives and operational realities of cruise ships and communities across the Arctic, to improve safety and inform policy development.
"This fellowship is an incredible opportunity to further examine the impacts of Arctic tourism while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of experts across the circumpolar North," said Dr. Maher. "Being part of UArctic has allowed me to connect with a network of researchers and students dedicated to addressing critical challenges in the region, and I look forward to contributing to this important work."
Nipissing University has been an active member of UArctic since 2018, engaging in research and educational initiatives that enhance understanding of the North. Dr. Maher leads the UArctic Thematic Network on Northern Tourism, which supports research on sustainable tourism practices in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Dr. Barbi Law, Associate Vice-President of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies of Graduate Studies at Nipissing University, emphasized the significance of this fellowship for both Dr. Maher and the University's broader research initiatives. "This opportunity strengthens Nipissing's connection with the University of the Arctic and highlights the global impact of our faculty's research. Dr. Maher's work with Arctic tourism and maritime safety will contribute valuable insights to international discussions on sustainability and policy."
Dr. Maher's expertise across the Polar Regions has also been recognized through his recent appointment to the Canadian Committee on Antarctic Research, an advisory group to Polar Knowledge Canada and the Canadian Government.
The UArctic-LRF research fellowships aim to advance knowledge on Arctic maritime safety by fostering collaboration among scholars from diverse disciplines and institutions worldwide. Dr. Maher's participation and recent fellowship appointment underscores the University's commitment to meaningful research across a diverse range of fields.
