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NSF CBIKS is headquartered at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and includes a team of international, interdisciplinary, and predominantly Indigenous scientists (Native American, First Nations/Métis, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, Māori, and Aboriginal Australians). NSF CBIKS Central maintains connections to each of the eight regional research hubs and the Kumu thematic research planning group. 

NSF CBIKS also collaborates with 39 organizations—which include universities, NGOs, museums, and industry partners—across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

NSF CBIKS's leadership and central administration are listed below.

The NSF CBIKS Leadership Circle (CLC) leads NSF CBIKS in accomplishing the primary activities of the center. Members of the CLC are listed below:

The members of the NSF CBIKS Central team are listed below:

NSF CBIKS research focuses on three primary and interconnected areas: climate change, protection and care of cultural places, and food security. Through research, education, and knowledge exchange activities, the NSF CBIKS team aspires to bring together Indigenous and Western data and knowledge to address key challenges in these three interrelated areas.

Component I: Regional Research Hubs

The regional research hubs were selected to leverage pre-existing relationships among scientists and Indigenous community partners. Our aim is to build on these strong foundations to form new community-based research partnerships focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation and related impacts on cultural places and food security. Hub research follows a community-driven research methodology that involves knowledge co-production. We utilize a braiding approach to bring together Indigenous and Western data as well as research protocols and practices throughout the research process. This approach brings together diverse ecologies, languages, lifeways, disciplines, and networks of researchers and Indigenous community members carrying out scientific research questions and concerns. 

For a list of hubs and co-leads:

Visit our Regional Research Hubs

Component II: Kumu and Thematic Research Leads

The Kumu is an interdisciplinary group of scholars and scientists that develops and supports NSF CBIKS’s thematic research agenda. The Kumu takes a transdisciplinary approach to set a multiyear plan for thematic research at the center that includes research, education, and knowledge exchange activities. NSF CBIKS team members are identified to guide and conduct thematic research and activities, and the Kumu reviews thematic research projects proposed by the team. Kumu members establish protocols for evaluating research priorities and identifying best practices for expanding a network of thematic research leaders.

Members of the Kumu are listed below:

• Alison Wylie, Kumu Co-Lead, Ethics Coordinator, University of British Columbia
• Kisha Supernant, Kumu Co-Lead, University of Alberta
• Jane Anderson, Kumu Member, New York University 
• Noah Romero, Kumu Member, Education Advisor, Hampshire College 
• Sara Gonzalez, Kumu Member, University of Washington 
• Sonya Atalay, Kumu Member, University of Massachusetts Amherst 
• Tsim Schneider, Kumu Member, University of California Santa Cruz 
• Zoë Gardner, Kumu Staff Support, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Component III:  Knowledge Base

The NSF CBIKS Knowledge Base, scheduled to launch in 2025, is an online resource that is a go-to, searchable resource for ethical community-driven research with Indigenous community partners. It also includes all NSF CBIKS research outputs as well as a wide range of existing resources such as literature reviews, bibliographies, teaching resources, MOU/MOAs, and ethical guidelines. Indigenous communities maintain control and care over their data and all resources on the Knowledge Base have explicit permission for public sharing.

Getting in Touch and Getting Connected

Get in touch!

cbiks@umass.edu

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NSF CBIKS will release a periodic email newsletter containing the latest NSF CBIKS information, including research updates, upcoming events, notable dates, reminders, and opportunities for engagement. 

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