Bringing islands of the world into the classroom

Over the past several years, the study of islands has been growing in scope and stature. Indeed, the Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program at UPEI – the first of its kind in the world – has expanded beyond the popular thesis program to offer a course- and work-study-based program that explores Island Tourism, Sustainable Island Communities, and International Relations. Through coursework, research, and projects, students around the world have come to think of the world as “a world of islands,” and to not just think about islands, but to think with them.

As part of this global thinking and outreach, the MAIS program has established linkages with other researchers and scholars from island universities throughout the world. We have a number of “institutional handshakes” in place, with memorandums of association (MOAs) and of understanding (MOUs) that involve faculty and student exchanges, extended research visits, and information-sharing both in person and via video conference. One example of this information-sharing is holding guest lecturing in each other’s classes, which then opens up into a general discussion; we have also hosted a number of joint classes.

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WHO WE ARE

• Dr. Laurie Brinklow, lecturer in the Master of Arts in Island Studies Program at University of Prince Edward Island;
• Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir, Director of the Icelandic Tourism Research Centre in Akureyri, Iceland;
• Dr. Andrew Jennings, programme leader and lecturer in the MLitt in Island Studies from the University of Highlands and Islands and who is based in the Shetland Islands; 
• Dr. Gerard Prinsen, Senior Lecturer, School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand;
• Dr. Jim Randall, Professor Emeritus, University of Prince Edward Island (Island Studies); UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability 2016–2021.

All have guest-lectured in each other’s classes, and, as our global networks expand, we anticipate that this sharing of knowledge around the globe will continue to expand, too.

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TOPICS

Here are some of the topics we’ve covered:

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For more information, please contact Laurie Brinklow at brinklow@upei.ca