Alaska Coastal Community Youth and the Future
Project overview
The issue
Young people are leaving Alaska's rural coastal communities at an alarming rate. A 2004 study found that 38 percent of Alaska rural high school graduates left their communities and did not return. Southeast Alaska communities experienced the highest rate of outmigration.
Why is this an Alaska Sea Grant project?
A key objective of Alaska Sea Grant is to foster sustainable coastal communities. A better understanding of the causes of youth outmigration may help reverse the trend.
The researchers
Principal Investigator: Marie Lowe, Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage
Research Associate: Meghan Wilson, Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage
What will researchers do?
This project seeks to put a human face on causes of youth outmigration in rural Alaska coastal communities. Researchers will examine the perspectives of youth in Alaska's coastal fishing communities to gain a better understanding of their goals and aspirations about the future. A series of short ethnographic films produced by teachers and youths in rural Alaska communities is anticipated.
Researchers hope to provide information to state, community, industry, and education leaders that can be used to address the needs of Alaska's young people and achieve goals for maintaining viable coastal communities through new training and work opportunities.
Project status
This is a new project. Please check back for updates.
