The Bridging Arctic Gateways workshop series, hosted by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS), the University of Maine (UMaine), and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), is a multi-year initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between Alaska and Maine—two key U.S. Arctic gateway regions. The first workshop, held in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2023, and the second, convened in Maine in 2024, sought to build lasting research partnerships, identify shared Arctic challenges, and develop a coordinated research agenda spanning engineering, marine science, and higher education.

At the outset, the workshops followed a minimum viable consortium approach, bringing together a carefully selected group of researchers and institutional leaders with the capacity to serve as early champions of cross-regional collaboration. This method allowed for focused discussions, rapid decision-making, and the formation of a strong foundation for future partnerships. Participants engaged in pre-workshop virtual meetings and surveys to align research priorities and identify potential areas for collaboration before meeting in person. The workshops themselves maximized interaction through facilitated discussions, team exercises, and immersive site visits to research facilities and field stations.

Beyond fostering cross-regional partnerships, the workshops provided an unexpected but significant benefit: strengthening internal research networks within each participating institution. At UAF, for example, participants noted that the workshop created a rare opportunity to connect with colleagues from different departments—an important outcome for a university where long winters and a geographically dispersed campus make spontaneous interactions difficult. This internal networking benefit helped build stronger institutional research communities, alongside fostering external collaborations.

The 2023 Fairbanks workshop introduced Maine-based researchers to Alaskan partners interested in Arctic field testing environments, advanced engineering research, and the challenges posed by permafrost thaw and climate change. Hosted at UAF, the event included site visits to the Cold Climate Housing Research Center and permafrost-affected infrastructure, giving participants firsthand exposure to the complexities of building and sustaining communities in extreme northern conditions. Discussions highlighted opportunities for joint research in infrastructure resilience, marine resource management, and related fields.

Building upon these foundations, the 2024 Maine workshop facilitated a reciprocal visit for Alaskan researchers, expanding collaboration to additional faculty and departments. The workshop focused on Arctic innovation, including advanced materials research, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and higher education initiatives. Participants toured UMaine’s Advanced Structures & Composites Center, the Darling Marine Center, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, strengthening cross-regional connections in engineering and marine science. Interactive exercises guided small groups in co-developing actionable research concepts with three-to-five-year implementation plans.

The reciprocal visit model strengthened relationships both across institutions and within them, reinforcing the value of sustained, face-to-face engagement in building trust and collaborative momentum. As a result, the workshops have catalyzed new research partnerships, fostered discussions on student and faculty exchange programs, and helped develop joint funding proposals for Arctic workforce development and research infrastructure.

This presentation will explore the facilitation strategies that enabled team incubation and the acceleration of new collaborations, highlighting how the Bridging Arctic Gateways project has contributed to scientific team-building and long-term institutional partnerships. Lessons learned from these workshops can inform future efforts to advance Arctic science, engineering, and higher education collaboration.