Contemporary Arctic societies are facing complex political, social, economic and cultural changes. Visions of development are conceived on different scales and by different groups, entailing sometimes incompatible and conflicting interests between governments, multinational investors, NGOs and local communities.

The main theme of the summer school in 2015 will be the negotiation and practices of change in the Arctic. Social science studies suggest that the interests of different actors often contradict one another between the local, national and regional levels of decision-making. The ambition is to address these controversies in an analytical manner and to create a learning platform from which to discuss the possible exchange of knowledge and ideas.

The CIRCLA-UArctic-ARC Summer School on ‘Change and Continuation in the Arctic’ aims to:

  • Inspire young/aspiring researchers to think (trans-culturally) about ways to bridge gaps between sometimes differing visions of Arctic development.
  • Address critical questions pertaining to private sector involvement in the Arctic, especially concerning profits, benefits, environmental, and cultural concerns in connection with e.g. oil and mineral exploitation.
  • Explore issues of social exclusion and inclusion with a focus on participatory democracy, public involvement, as well as indigenous expressions of community belonging, ownership and citizenship rights.
  • Inspire discussions of modernisation and traditional ways of life, including the negotiation of conflicts arising from urbanisation and interpretation of heritage.
  • Assist young/aspiring researchers in exchanging and ideas with each other and with established experts in relevant fields of study.

The summer school is reserved for ‘post-graduates’ – i.e. any early career applicant with a relevant Master’s degree, including Ph.D. students from within the social and human sciences. The format will be a mixture of scholarly presentations, student presentations, workshops and plenary discussion.

Attending students will be expected to present work in progress or ideas for Ph.D. projects (30 minute presentations), and bring up theoretical and methodological concerns, questions, etc. Participation is contingent on the acceptance of an application (including a title, 300-word abstract, and other submitted materials). The number of participants is limited to 15.

Participants’ travel costs, board and lodging will be fully (or, if excessive: partially) financed by the school.

Please submit your application no later than 9 April 2015 by signing up here.

For the full invitation and more information, see the summer school webpage.