News and Announcement

Dr. Diane Hirshberg will step down as director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) in June 2026. She has led the Institute since October 2021.

CAEPR is currently running a statewide educator survey!

The survey was developed in collaboration with education shareholders. It is a confidential survey that asks educators about their school and work experience, their community, themselves, and their future plans.

In early February, every in-service educator in Alaska received a personalized email survey invitation. We will send reminders to teachers periodically over the next 8 weeks, and develop a report in June.

We are excited to do this in service of schools and communities in our state.

Researchers from the UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) discussed Alaska’s fiscal options on Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Any fiscal option adopted by the state will have short- and long-term economic effects. ISER researchers hosted an event in Juneau to explain how various budget decisions may impact Alaska wages, employment, and outcomes by demographic. The presentation built from ISER’s recent evaluation of 11 primary fiscal options, along with three variations, that assessed the economic impacts of various budget options for Alaska.

The UAA Institute of Social and Economic research is conducting a National Science Foundation-funded project on how historic snowfall seasons (2022-2024) affected Anchorage businesses, particularly their buildings and roofs. They are conducting brief (5-10 minutes) surveys with Anchorage businesses to gather information about: how businesses perceived roof snow load risks, actions businesses took to address roof snow loads, and obstacles that made it difficult to remove snow from roofs.

On May 1, 2025, Commonwealth North, ISER, and Build Alaska’s Future co-hosted a virtual economic forum featuring ISER economists discussing Alaska’s economic trajectory in light of federal policy changes by the current administration. Titled “How Shifting Federal Dollars Impact Alaska’s Economy,” the event underscored the state’s heavy reliance on federal funds, the growing role of the Alaska Permanent Fund in state revenue, and the challenges posed by ongoing federal policy shifts. After opening remarks by Dr. Scott Goldsmith, former ISER Director and economist, Drs.

BERING STRAIT VESSEL TRAFFIC: The Forefront of Change in the Arctic

When: May 9, 2025 12PM-1PM

Where: Rasmuson Hall: Room 220
3416 Seawolf Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508

Or via Zoom: http://bit.ly/4im5GQ3

What happens in D.C. doesn’t stay in D.C. — it directly affects Alaska’s economy.
Join us for a fast-paced and fascinating Economic Forum that dives into the outsized impact of shifting federal dollars on Alaska’s economy. From workforce and infrastructure to natural resources and supply chains, hear from the experts tracking how federal spending affects every corner of the state. Whether you’re in the public sector, private industry, or simply passionate about Alaska’s future — this is the event for you.

AACA Testifies to the Alaska House Transportation Committee

The Executive Director of the AACA, Will Day, collaborated with Troy LaRue, Director of Alaska’s Statewide Aviation Division of the DOT, Dan Knesek from Grant Aviation, and Dr. Mike Jones of UAA’s Institute of Social and Economic Research. Together, they informed Alaska’s House Transportation Committee about the effects of unreliable AWOS and ASOS systems throughout the state.

On March 12, Brock Wilson presented to the House Judiciary Committee on federal employment in Alaska. During the presentation, he discussed key insights related to the economic contributions of federal civilian workers in Alaska, emphasizing the role federal employees play in critical industries and the state's economy. His focus was on analyzing the reliance on federal workers, the impact of potential reductions in federal employment, and how these changes could disproportionately affect Alaskan industries.

A new study sheds light on the benefits and implications of the use of electric vehicles in rural Alaska.

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are widely thought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many rural communities in Alaska are not connected to larger electric grids. They use diesel fuels to generate most of their electricity and face extremely cold conditions not experienced elsewhere.

Would those communities benefit from EVs?