NEWS The foundation for environmental strategic research, Mistra, backs social science research about the Arctic and a sustainable development in the region. Two research projects at the department of social and economic geography, Umeå University, have been granted a total of 15 million Swedish kronor.
– Thanks to this granting, our department clearly becomes the most important Swedish social science actor in polar research, says Dieter K. Müller, professor at the department and project leader for one of the two projects at Umeå University.
His research project tackles the issue of what role tourism may play for a sustainable development in the Arctic. The project, which is a collaboration with the College of Dalarna, will examine the possibilities and problems that emerge when tourism develops in Arctic regions. Aside from the Swedish Arctic, the Yukon territory in Canada and the Nenets region in Russia will be examined.
Carina Keskitalo, associate professor at department of social and economic geography, is project leader for the second granted project, "Preparing for and Responding to Disturbance: Arctic Lessons for Sweden."
During a period of three years, Mistra will invest almost 15 million Swedish kronor in these two Umeå projects.
The Arctic is a region that is undergoing rapid change, and many countries and organizations share an interest in guarding the area. Besides the fact that there are large natural resources in the vulnerable and unique environment that can be exploited, a more ice free Arctic would also have an impact on for example ship transports.
Most of the studies about the Arctic share a natural scientific orientation, while social science research is more rare. The new research programme by Mistra, "Arctic Futures in a Global Context," focuses therefore on socio-economic, political and environmental aspects with global reach.
The projects at Umeå University that were granted funding:
"From Resource Hinterland to Global Pleasure Periphery? Assessing the Role of Tourism for Sustainable Development in Arctic Communities" Project leader: Dieter K. Müller, Department of Social and Economic Geography, Umeå University
E-mail: dieter.muller@geography.umu.se Phone: +46 (0)90-786 6366
Mobile: +46 (0)70-216 43 27
"Preparing for and Responding to Disturbance: Arctic Lessons for Sweden" Project leader: Carina Keskitalo, Department of Social and Economic Geography, Umeå University
E-mail: carina.keskitalo@geography.umu.se
Phone: +46 (0)90-786 5080
For more information about the research programme:
www.mistra.org
Translation: Alexander Rehnborg
Editor: Camilla Nilsson