In a presentation on changing demographics in Alaska, Dr. Ralph Townsend highlighted a concerning downward trend in Alaska's labor force participation that could have long-term impacts on the economy. The presentation is part of a broad initiative, "Investing for Alaska's Future," generously sponsored by Northim Bank.
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Dr. Ralph Townsend presented information about Alaska's demographics and highlighted an ongoing downward trend in labor force participation. How long has this been happening, is Alaska different from the rest of the U.S., and what can the state do to address it?
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All of the US is seeing significant demographic changes that will shape the workforce over the next 20 years, but these changes are especially significant in Alaska. Moreover, Alaska's population is strongly influenced by migration to and from Alaska. The shortage of workers during the Pandemic Recession may be in part a "tipping point" effect, where declines in the workforce that would have happened over several years were accelerated by COVID-19 changes. A February 2022 presentation by Dr. Ralph Townsend examined the implications of several demographic changes for the future of Alaska's workforce.
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In a January 26 presentation, Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi describes the likely path of Alaska's economy in 2022, and includes a look back on the pandemic and pre-pandemic factors that have impacted the state's growth.
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Understanding Alaska and Alaskans is fundamental to shaping the state’s future. In 1961, Alaska’s Second State Legislature acknowledged the importance of this research mission and understood how it would inform policy and critical decisions facing the new state. This led to the creation of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Since then, ISER research has contributed to just about every public policy topic in the state, including the Arctic, natural resources, education, telecommunications, the Permanent Fund, fisheries, health care and – of course – Alaska’s economy.
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Dr. Diane Hirshberg, Professor of Education, has been appointed Interim Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Dr. Hirshberg is an 18-year veteran of UAA and ISER, and has served in leadership roles such as President of UAA’s faculty senate and advisor to the Chancellor on Arctic Research and Education. She was the founding director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and is currently Vice-President Academic at the University of the Arctic.
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When Linda Grant started working for the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) thirty years ago, she sat at the front door reception area. This week she retires from the role of fiscal officer, along with the accolade of Outstanding Staff Member of Year from the College of Business and Public Policy.
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More than 250 participants from around the state and as far away as New Zealand tuned in to the Alaska Common Ground Forum on Ballot Measure 1, held virtually on October 6.
Ralph Townsend, Director for the University of Alaska Anchorage Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), provided a short overview of the proposed oil tax initiative before proponents and opponents presented their arguments. In Townsend’s brief summary, he presented highlights of the current production tax, proposed changes, and Department of Revenue estimates of its impacts.
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On April 1, 2020, Commonwealth North hosted a debate “How Permanent is Permanent?” between Ralph Townsend (ISER Director) and Craig Richards (chair of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board of Trustees and former Alaska Attorney General.) Because of the COVID-19 restrictions on meetings, the debate was conducted via Zoom.
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In a presentation on the outlook for Alaska's economy in 2022, Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi provided an employment-centric forecast of the likely path the economy will take, given available information. He outlined both pandemic and pre-pandemic factors that have impacted the state, discussed whether Alaska's situation is unique from the rest of the U.S., and offered his thoughts on its continued recovery. Guettabi's formal written analysis will be available on ISER's website in the near future.