Daniel Chartier is a professor at Université du Québec à Montréal and director of the International Laboratory for Research on Images of the North, Winter, and the Arctic. Chartier has explored themes of Arctic identity, cultural pluralism, and the evolving perceptions of Northern regions. His extensive body of work includes over 30 books and 100 articles, such as What is the Imagined North? Ethical Principles, published in 16 languages, and The Dynamics of Darkness in the North. "I am grateful to have been selected to hold this new UArctic Chair. Through my work, I hope to help strengthen circumpolar links and highlight the importance of the diversity of languages, cultures and points of view in the Arctic. I am convinced that cultural studies can provide a better and more accurate understanding of the plurality of the polar world." says Daniel when asked about his new position at the UArctic.
Chartier has led collaborative projects with Indigenous organizations and research groups worldwide. He has forged partnerships with groups such as the Avataq Cultural Institute, the Association of Greenlandic authors and the Kativik School Board, ensuring that his research remains grounded in the perspectives and priorities of the people who live in the Arctic. His research projects, including a literary history of Nunavik and studies on Arctic representations in media and literature, continue to deepen understanding of the region’s diverse cultures and histories. As the director of multiple scientific collections and an active member of editorial boards for journals in Canada, France, Sweden, and Argentina, Chartier has also played a vital role in disseminating research on Arctic cultures. His leadership extends to supervising 25 students, including 11 doctoral candidates, nurturing the next generation of Arctic scholars.
Chartier's work emphasizes Arctic multilingualism, cultural representation, and bridging connections between the North and the global community. He is also actively involved with UArctic’s Thematic Networks and has taught at universities across the world.
You can find more information about the Chairs here.