Currently Arctic Sweden is experiencing a rapid re-industrialization, not least related to battery-factories and green steel production. However, access to cheap energy, various natural resources and cold temperatures have triggered even other industrial investments in the region. Altogether investments are expected to amount to 100 Billion SEK during the next decennium. The rapid development also requires approximately 100,000 new inhabitants in Väster- and Norrbotten, corresponding to a population growth of more than 20 percent. Hence, it can be expected that communities in Arctic Sweden will experience a hitherto unseen restructuring and transformation.
Obviously, such change provides excellent opportunities for researchers to study the ongoing change already while it happens but also to follow its development in a longer term. Previously, most rapid transformations of societies and populations have been studied in retrospect with its scientific pitfalls and shortcomings. Now, there is an opportunity to prospectively collect data and design studies. For that capturing social, economic, behavioral, environmental, and medical dimensions of the current change, is a precondition. While Statistics Sweden and other stakeholders collect some of the relevant data, more specific data will be needed to facilitate in-depth research today and in the future.
Against this background, ARCUM, the Arctic Center at Umeå University, invites interested researchers to a seminar for an initial discussion on data needs and data collection in relation to the ongoing development. The aim of the seminar is to identify and discuss the following:
Considering the current pandemic situation, the seminar will most likely be held online and a link will be sent out in due time to all registered participants.
For registration please contact Anngelica, see contact information below.
