UTQIAĠVIK, ALASKA — Colorful sticky notes and creased agendas fluttered to the floor as 40 or so people grabbed phones and rushed to the long series of windows. A polar bear had been spotted checking out a series of empty sled dog cages nearby.

Traveling nearly 2,000 miles on snowmachines to visit remote, rural communities rather than flying in may seem like an extreme and risky idea. But University researchers say it was the best way to truly connect with rural residents to better understand the challenges facing them.