News

Yukon University has appointed Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow as the new Dean of Applied Science and Management for a five-year term.  

Fiona is a renowned scholar in wildlife and conservation science, and a recognized leader in landscape sustainability, who has lived in the Yukon for almost 20 years. She has directed the partnered Bachelor of Environmental and Conservation Science program hosted at YukonU, as a professor with the University of Alberta, and retains her position as senior professor during her term as Dean with YukonU. 

A sampling of Yukon University research can be found in 55 locations throughout the territory and across Northern Canada with the new Research Activity Map.

YukonU’s Research Chair in Health has released results on the Impacts of COVID-19 on Yukon’s frontline healthcare workers. This study found high burnout rates, a desire to be involved in future planning for pandemics or health emergencies, and other key findings unique to the Yukon. 

Yukon University welcomes Erin McMichael to the role of Registrar and Associate Vice President, Student Life.

McMichael joins YukonU from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts & Science where she has held the role of Associate Faculty Registrar and Director, Student Affairs since 2016. 

To our community,

I write in recognition of the atrocious events that took place on June 28th at the University of Waterloo, where three members of the UW community were violently attacked in acts that targeted gender-expression and identity. Yukon University stands united with the University of Waterloo and the members of its community as they cope with the shocking tragedy of these hate-filled attacks on their campus.

The targeted nature of these attacks and their occurrence during Pride Month deepens their severity. A place of education should be a place that is free of hate. Yukon University does not condone any form of violence, hatred or bigotry and will continue to proudly advocate justice, inclusion, diversity and equality.

If you need support during this time, please see the list of resources below.

We extend our deepest sympathies to all who have been affected by this hateful act.

Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta'an Kwach'an Council Traditional Territories – The Yukon First Nation Climate Action Fellowship is hosting a Reconnection Launch Party at the Adaka Cultural Festival on Friday, June 30th in celebration of the public release of the Reconnection Vision (RV). There will be a Q&A session on July 3rd, 2023, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre Longhouse. This societal shift guide and toolkit has been endorsed by First Nations in Yukon and Northern British Columbia and developed by youth throughout the region.

Yukon University is pleased to announce that Gä̀gala-ƛ̓iƛ̓ətko Nadia Joe (u- /a- /Dä̀n) has become the new Associate Vice-President Indigenous Engagement and Partnerships (AVP-IE&P).

Gä̀gala is a member of the Crow Clan from the Champagne & Aishihik First Nations and the daughter of Dä Ké (Dave Joe) and Niketko (Mary Jane Joe).

Yukon’s geological wonders can now be experienced virtually thanks to YukonU instructors and $398,450 of funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) GEM-GeoNorth program. Yukon Virtual Geology is a newly launched website that is making geology accessible to the public with 3D interactive tours that include engaging technology. 

News Alert:

The Northern Energy Innovation research program at Yukon University has received $5.5M to assess the realities, challenges, and barriers of clean energy options in a northern context. Dr. Michael Ross, NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Northern Energy Innovation (NEI), and his team, will use this funding over the next seven years to focus on carbon capture and storage, offshore and other renewable technologies in northern Canada. 

Photo caption: Vuntut Gwitchin Government and YukonU train Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation citizens on community energy systems in Old Crow.

This federal funding was secured through two academic partnerships: