College of Liberal Arts
Explore how CLA faculty are shaping conversations, driving discovery, and producing creative work that reaches far beyond the university. Their research contributes to global scholarship while reflecting the values and complexity of the North.
CLA faculty lead research and creative work across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Their projects challenge ideas, spark dialogue, and reflect the depth and complexity of life in Alaska and beyond. Many of these efforts include undergraduate and graduate students as active collaborators — offering hands-on experience, mentorship, and a direct connection to the research process. Their work fuels UAF’s mission to expand knowledge, foster innovation, and amplify the role of the liberal arts in a nationally recognized research university.
When questions began to surface about the 1997 murder case of John Hartman, Brian O’Donoghue, a former investigative journalist and professor in UAF’s Department of Science & Environmental Journalism, felt compelled to dig deeper. What began as curiosity quickly became a calling. With serious doubts surrounding the convictions of the “Fairbanks Four,” he turned the case into a hands-on learning experience for his students.Over the next ten years, his investigative journalism students became key contributors to the effort—conducting interviews, analyzing evidence, covering court proceedings, and even being present in the courtroom during pivotal moments. Their work challenged the official narrative and contributed to the eventual exoneration of all four men in 2015. He tells the full story in his new book, The Fairbanks Four: Murder, Injustice and the Birth of a Movement, published by Sourcebooks. The book is available wherever books are sold.He will speak about the case on Monday, July 14, as part of the Fairbanks Tall Timbers series presented by UAF Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning. The free talk begins at 7 p.m. in the BP Design Theater, Usibelli Building, 4th floor. The event will be livestreamed and available later on the Summer Sessions website.
At UAF, the Archaeology Field School offers more than excavation practice—it connects students with Alaska’s complex past through active, on-the-ground research. Dr. Justin Cramb, assistant professor of anthropology and the field school’s principal investigator, leads students each summer into the historic landscapes of Interior Alaska to investigate long-forgotten mining communities. In 2024, Cramb and his students conducted fieldwork at Miller House, a former gold rush town that once played a critical role in regional settlement and commerce. Their work involved mapping, excavation, and artifact recovery—illuminating the daily lives of the town’s past residents and contributing to a broader understanding of Alaska’s early economic and social dynamics. Earlier archaeological investigations in the area, including work by UAF anthropologist Dr. Josh Reuther and collaborators, helped lay the groundwork for current student-led research. Through field-based training rooted in real community histories, UAF’s Archaeology Field School demonstrates how experiential learning can advance both scholarship and heritage preservation.
In the fall of 2023, Daryl Farmer, a creative writing professor in UAF’s Department of English, embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Svalbard as part of the Arctic Circle Residency—a program that brings together artists and scientists aboard a sailing vessel for immersive exploration and creative collaboration. For Farmer, the stark Arctic terrain wasn’t just a backdrop, but an active force in his creative process. As glaciers calved and polar light shifted, he wrote daily—documenting his experience while reflecting on themes of isolation, awe, and environmental change. His time aboard the Antigua inspired new writings and deepened his understanding of how climate and landscape shape the human story. Onboard, painters, sound artists, filmmakers, and writers shared space and ideas, offering presentations nearly every evening that sparked vibrant conversations about art, purpose, and process. The residency became a floating studio of creative exchange—an experience that continues to inform Farmer’s writing and his teaching at UAF. Two poems inspired by the journey were later published in the Split Rock Review, further cementing the residency’s impact on his body of work.
The Restorative Justice Information Hub is a growing resource led by Dr. Ingrid Johnson, associate professor of justice at UAF, and Dr. Rei Shimizu, assistant professor of social work at UAA. Together, they’ve created a space where Alaskans can explore restorative justice (RJ) practices and connect with others doing similar work. Designed to support students, professionals, and community members, the Hub offers a curated collection of research, practical tools, and educational materials tailored to the needs and realities of Alaska’s communities. In addition to its online resources, the Hub organizes an annual restorative justice symposium, alternating between virtual and in-person gatherings. These events bring together justice professionals, educators, tribal representatives, and community advocates for roundtable discussions and shared learning opportunities. The next symposium is planned as a virtual event in spring 2026. At its core, the Hub promotes approaches to justice that focus on accountability, repairing harm, and At its core, the Hub reflects Dr. Johnson and Dr. Shimizu’s commitment to using their expertise to foster meaningful community engagement. Through accessible resources and facilitated dialogue, they help support restorative practices that focus on accountability, repairing harm, and strengthening relationships across Alaska.
The Flexibility and Cognition (FlexCog) Lab, led by Dr. Jen Peterson, professor and chair of psychology at UAF, investigates how flexible thinking and cognitive processes shape well-being throughout life. From memory and mental health to resilience and healthy aging, the lab’s work focuses on understanding the ways people adapt to challenges across the lifespan. Undergraduate students are central to the lab’s research and impact. They work side-by-side with faculty, contributing to projects and presenting findings through campus opportunities like URSA Research and Creative Activity Day. Through real-world research experiences and mentorship, students in the FlexCog Lab not only contribute to important psychological studies — they also gain valuable skills that prepare them for careers or graduate study in psychology and related fields.
Tammy Buonasera’s research uses tooth enamel proteins to uncover health, stress, and disease patterns in humans from the past to the present.
Tyler Kirk’s After the Gulag reveals how former Soviet prisoners shaped memory and sought justice through memoirs, art, and post-release networks.
Photography professor Charles Mason captures Denali using 19th-century collodion techniques, embracing imperfection to portray Alaska’s raw, wild beauty.
Led by Maya Salganek, UAF’s Frame program trains students in film production, supporting Indigenous storytelling and hands-on media career experience.
Percussionist Sean Dowgray curates UAF’s Circumpolar Music Series, spotlighting innovative artists exploring sound across northern latitudes.
Tori McDermott examines how students define what makes classrooms welcoming and respectful, revealing disconnects and strategies for more intentional teaching.
Visit the contact pages for each department to learn more about faculty members — their bios, research interests, and current or recent projects.
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