Dr. Sfraga final keynote speaker at Fulbright's anniversary symposium

Dr. Michael Sfraga is the founding director of the Polar Institute, Wilson Center, USA. and also serves as the director of the Global Risk and Resilience, Wilson Center, U.S.A. He previously served as distinguished co-lead scholar for the U.S. Department of State’s inaugural Fulbright Arctic Initiative from 2015-2017 and from 2017-2019.

He earned his first Ph.D. in geography and northern studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and his work focuses on the changing geography of the Arctic and Antarctic landscapes, Arctic policy, and the impacts and implications of a changing climate on political, social, economic, environmental, and security regimes in the Arctic. He is an affiliate professor at the International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, serves as the co-director of the Institute for Arctic Policy, University of the Arctic.

He serves as chair on the Finnish Institute for International Affairs Scientific Advisory Council (SAC), and has served on a number of non-profit boards and advisory committees. Moreover, he is the author of the biography Bradford Washburn: A Life of Exploration, published by Oregon State University Press, 2004.

Dr. Sfraga was recently appointed one of six commissioners for the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) by President Biden.