Sean (settler/non-Indigenous) is Assistant Professor of Anthropological Archaeology at the Arctic Centre and Groningen Institute of Archaeology, University of Groningen, and a Research Associate (Paleobiology) at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Broadly interested in long-term human-environment relationships across the circumpolar Arctic, he earned his PhD in anthropology from McGill University.

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In addition to supervising all TRACES work packages (WPs) and PhD researchers, Sean leads  WP1 (Tumiit / ᑐᒦᑦ / 'Tracks').

Originally from Sisimiut, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), Kirstine (Kalaaleq Inuk) is an archaeologist with expertise in identity, Indigenous/settler history, decolonization and community-focused methodologies. She earned her PhD in archaeology from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Kirstine leads WP3 (Ittarnisalirinirmut / ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᓴᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ / 'Cultural Heritage').

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Olga (Indigenous Komi) is from the Komi Republic in the Russian Federation, and is interested in a variety of issues relating to (inter)governmental policy and Arctic residents. She serves as Chair of the Arctic Youth Network Board of Directors, and holds a master's degree in international relations from Saint Petersburg State University.

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Olga leads WP5 (Maligaq / ᒪᓕᒐᖅ / 'A rule to be followed'). She is supervised by Sean Desjardins and Kees Bastmeijer.

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Tashi (Tibet/Xizang, China) is an archaeologist with both academic and commercial experience in spatial analysis and geophysical survey. He holds a master's degree in landscape archaeology from the University of Sheffield.

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Tashi leads WP2 (Nirjutiqarviulauqtut / ᓂᕐᔪᑎᕐᑲᕐᕕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ / 'Places where animals were found') and assists with WP1. He is supervised by Sean Desjardins and Frits Steenhuisen.

Originally from Germany, Jonathan is a researcher with experience in media and performance studies.  He holds a research master's (ReMa) degree in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen.

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Jonathan leads WP4 (Nutaat pilirijjutit / ᓄᑖᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔾᔪᑎᑦ / 'New tools'). He is supervised by Sean Desjardins and Jennifer Schnepf, and works closely with staff at Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT) and the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN).

Prof. Kees Bastmeijer is Professor of Arctic and Antarctic Studies and Director of the Arctic Centre, University of Groningen. Kees is a legal scholar with wide-ranging expertise in human-nature relationships, the effects of polar tourism and polar law--particularly relating to Antarctica.

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Kees serves as promotor of all PhD researchers in TRACES, and co-supervises the research of Olga Ievleva.

Frits is an environmental scientist based at the Arctic Centre, University of Groningen. He specializes in spatial analyses and pollutant behaviour in polar environments on different scale levels. His main research interests include global mercury emissions and the distribution and effects of heavy metals and organic pollutants, such as mercury and PFAS, on local ecosystems. He earned his PhD from the University of Groningen.

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Frits serves as co-supervisor of Tashi Luobu, and assists with spatial modeling in WP1.

JD is Assistant Professor of American Studies at the University of Groningen. Her areas of expertise include digital media, surveillance technologies, and Indigenous issues in the US and Canada. She earned her PhD in English from Brown University.

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JD serves as co-supervisor of Jonathan Spellerberg.

Flip is a trained political historian with experience in project management and logistical support.

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He assists all TRACES team members with administrative matters within the University of Groningen, as well as with practical matters relating to project implementation.

Originally from Romania, Sînziana is a biologist interested in oncology and mechanisms of disease. She is currently completing a master's degree in molecular medicine and innovative treatment at the University of Groningen.

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She will begin working with TRACES in September 2025, and will assist Groningen-based TRACES team members with research assistance and project management.

Lesley has over 20 years of experience working with Inuit cultural patrimony from across Inuit Nunaat. As the Director of Archaeology at Inuit Heritage Trust, their role involves challenging the colonial policies embedded in Nunavut's cultural heritage management and practice. Their work focuses on developing Inuit-centred heritage policies, increasing Inuit access to archaeological collections and data, and fostering capacity among Inuit within Nunavut’s heritage sector.

As curator of the Palaeobiology Section at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Scott cares for the national fossil collections of Canada. Additionally, he serves as collection manager for the archaeological and palaeontological holdings of the Government of Nunavut. With a background in both palaeobiology and zooarchaeology, Scott’s projects include involvement in fieldwork, research, and exhibition development focusing on Arctic archaeology and palaeontology, museology, heritage management, mammalian evolution, and Cretaceous dinosaurs.

Shyong is a palaeobiology Research Assistant at the Canadian Museum of Nature with expertise in Arctic Archaeology and museum collections. He specializes in digitization, from specimen elemental composition analysis to 3D scanning and printing. Shyong primarily conducts fieldwork and research on life from the Mesozoic and Paleozoic of Canada with additional interest in past and present life in the Arctic.

The Igloolik Hunters and Trappers Association (IHTA) is an Inuit Wildlife Association managing the subsistence harvest by local members.  

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The IHTA is a partner organization in WP1, and will provide oversight of all TRACES projects.

Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT)  represents Inuit interests in Nunavut's cultural heritage. Established in 1994, IHT was created through the formation of Nunavut and shares governance responsibilities with the Government of Nunavut over Nunavut's archaeology sites and collections, ethnographic materials, and traditional place names.