All things Island
The Institute of Island Studies: 30 years of service
Last year, 2015, marked the 30th anniversary of the official founding of the Institute of Island Studies (IIS).
Since 1985 the IIS has served a vital role within the University and community, with initiatives geared toward fulfilling its mandate to encourage a deep knowledge, understanding, and expression of Prince Edward Island; to serve as a bridge between the University and Island communities; to contribute to the formulation of public policy in Prince Edward Island; and to undertake comparative studies of Prince Edward Island and other islands.
The Institute’s work is guided by an Executive Committee comprised of University and community members, under the chairmanship of Dr. Jim Randall.
A newly constituted Advisory Committee of individuals from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Iceland and Shetland Islands, chaired by Dr. Ryan Gibson of Saint Mary’s University, helps shape the vision and future of the IIS.
In September 2015, the IIS cohosted the international conference, “Building Community Resilience: Innovation, Culture, and Governance in Place” in Summerside, bringing together some 160 delegates to discuss ways in which communities use their distinctive assets to overcome challenges associated with being rural, small, and often peripheral.
In the past two years, the IIS hosted two public symposia — one on Island water resources and one on land use issues.
On January 19, 2016, three speakers discussed “Island Mobility, Migration, and Population,” and another symposium on “The Geography of Local Governance” is set for February 25.
A monthly lecture series in the UPEI Faculty Lounge is under way, with January’s “So you want to go to Iceland…” held in co-operation with the Vinland Society.
The second is February 23, at which Dr. Tiber Falzett will focus on Gaelic songs from Prince Edward Island — with more lectures to follow.
The IIS continues to work handin-glove with the Master of Arts in Island Studies program, from which there are now 32 graduates (this writer being one of them), with another 31 students currently enrolled.
Island Studies Press continues to publish award-winning titles featuring Island topics, such as nurses in the First World War and surveyor Samuel Holland.
And for the past 10 years, the IIS has been the institutional home to Island Studies Journal, the internationally respected academic journal that covers all things “island.”
Indeed, in international circles, the IIS is known for being a world leader in small islands research. Visitors come, looking for our building — and are surprised to learn there is such a small staff doing so much good work.
Historically, islands have been the canaries in the coal mine for so many issues, the most current of which is climate change and sea-level rise.
What the Institute can do is bring together people with expertise and experience from around the world to collaborate on mitigation and adaptation strategies so that islands don’t lose that which makes them so special.
With an application for a UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability in the works (the first of its kind in the world, and the first of any kind in Atlantic Canada) and with a $200,000 contribution from local businessman Dr. Regis Duffy, it is our hope that the IIS will continue to be a central hub of knowledge for all things island — whether it be this Island or small islands everywhere.
The future of the Institute of Island Studies in 2016 — and beyond — is bright, indeed.
If you want to learn how you can become involved in the IIS, check out the webpage at upei.ca/iis or contact us at iis@upei.ca or 902894-2881.