5.7. Social science in the changing Arctic research landscape

25 March 2025 | 13:30 - 15:30 (MDT)

Open Session - HYBRID

Room:  UMC Fourth Floor - 425

Organisers: Noor Johnson (University of Colorado Boulder, USA); Kristin Weis (George Mason University, USA); Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon (Sauyaq Solutions, USA); Julio Postigo (Indiana University, USA)

Zoom link to the Open Session (password-protected)

The password needed to connect to the session will be distributed the day prior to the start of the sessions to all registered conference participants. Further guidelines on how to participate virtually in the ASSW 2025 can be found on the ASSW 2025 website.

Session Description:

Diverse disciplinary expertise, multiple ways of knowing, and the role of social science, are increasingly recognized as essential to address the challenges and opportunities emerging from dynamic and rapidly changing Arctic systems (Biresseliuglu et al. 2020). Social science brings important theories, methods, and practices and contributes both as a collective “field” of expertise with internal diversity as well as through more broadly transdisciplinary efforts as exemplified by NSF’s “Navigating the New Arctic” initiative and NordForsk’s “Sustainable Development of the Arctic” call. Other shifts in Arctic research, such as growing focus on co-production of knowledge and Indigenous-led research, also engage social science strengths while simultaneously creating the need to reflect on how the field of social science should broadly evolve to address and support these larger changes. Themes to reflect on include Indigenous understandings of social science, power imbalances among and within knowledge systems, and the situatedness of multiple ways of knowing. For this session, we invite abstracts that (re)consider the role of social science in the changing Arctic research landscape, ranging from new frameworks and theoretical approaches, to methods, to case studies. We will invite short contributions from presenters followed by a discussion about the themes and ideas presented.

Reference: Biresselioglu, ME, MH Demir, B Solak, A Kayacan, S Altinci, 2020. Investigating the trends in arctic research: The increasing role of social sciences and humanities, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 729,139027, ISSN 0048-9697, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139027.

Instructions for Speakers:  Oral presentations in this session should be at most 10-minutes in length, with an additional 2 minutes for questions (unless more detailed instructions are provided by session conveners). See more detailed presenter instructions here.

Oral Presentations: 

• unfold_moreReimagining Social Science in Arctic Research: Challenges and Opportunities — Elena Adasheva 

  Elena Adasheva ^{1 
  1} Yale University

  Format: Oral virtual

  Abstract:

  Arctic studies remain at the periphery of key debates in the social sciences and humanities (SSH). Social science research in the Arctic, often grounded in sociological methods and frequently revisiting similar themes, is largely disconnected from the broader theoretical advancements shaping SSH today. This marginalization is striking, given the Arctic’s rich potential to inform new theoretical frameworks through the unique human experiences shaped by northern environments and interdisciplinary Arctic science.

  In addition to these intellectual gaps, there are significant infrastructural challenges. SSH researchers, especially early-career researchers, often face barriers in Arctic research settings where natural sciences dominate. Limited space and funding for SSH projects, alongside the prioritization of natural science initiatives, create substantial obstacles for SSH researchers. This situation underscores the urgent need for a coordinated, cross-disciplinary effort to integrate SSH more fully into Arctic research programs.

  This presentation will address the dual challenges of marginalization and resource limitations for SSH in the Arctic research landscape. It will also suggest potential new theoretical frameworks, research directions, and methodologies that can foster cutting-edge SSH scholarship in the North, advocating for a more integrated, interdisciplinary approach to Arctic studies.

• unfold_moreA New Theoretical Approach: Unveiling Critical Connections between Tourism, Sense of Place, and Conflict in the Circumpolar North — Kristin Weis 

  Kristin Weis ^{1 
  1} Carter School, George Mason University

  Format: Oral in-person

  Abstract:

  Arctic communities must navigate increasingly complex challenges, decision-making processes, and governance outcomes affecting their social-ecological systems. Within this context, the relationship between tourism, sense of place, and conflict emerges as an area that warrants critical analysis—and potentially an emerging field in social science. Although the literature on tourism and sense of place has often been studied separately from conflict studies, their historical trajectory and the growing prominence of tourism in the region necessitate a comprehensive understanding of this intricate relationship. This study illuminates the unique dynamic between tourism, sense of place, and conflict in the Arctic, providing new insights into human-nature relations within local, national, and international settings. Drawing on interview data gathered in Svalbard, Norway, this study aims to help inform social-ecological decision-making processes and provide a new theoretical approach for future social science analyses of power.

• unfold_moreAn ‘ethical space of engagement’? Examining the position of social sciences in Nunavik-led research — Catherine Dussault 

  Catherine Dussault ^{1 
  1} University of Ottawa

  Format: Oral in-person

  Abstract:

  Over the past centuries, Nunavik (Arctic Quebec) Inuit have been over-researched, in projects where their voices and knowledges have been silenced and misrepresented. Nunavik Inuit rightfully demand a shift in research toward more social and epistemic justice. They therefore develop creative strategies with researchers and Nunavik Inuit to ensure the integrity, respect, and efficacy of research conducted within the Nunavik region. Concretely, regional and local research organizations now conduct research projects centered around their needs to further assert their rights as they are encoded in the treaties. As local research institutionalizes itself, research in Nunavik tends to revolve around life: animals, health, food security, climate change. As a side effect, social sciences tend to either disappear from the local research landscape or to be absorbed into other disciplines’ projects, as they seek more and more to reach a certain social and cultural relevance. How can we envision the role of social sciences in Nunavik-led research? How can we build and nurture a dialogue between disciplines and ways of knowing to support Inuit claims to self-determination and to social justice in research? My presentation will draw from examples of my own research, as a social scientist who 1) works with and for local Inuit organizations to develop a local research governance organization and 2) has conducted fieldwork with Inuit and non-Inuit researchers working for local Inuit research organizations. This will lead me to discussing the space of social sciences in a changing research landscape: one that we hope to decolonize and Indigenize.

• unfold_moreBeyond compliance: Navigating multiple ethics in the changing Arctic research landscape — Tracie Curry 

  Tracie Curry ^{1 
  1} Northern Social-Environmental Research, International Arctic Research Center

  Format:Format: Oral in-person

  Abstract:

  Social scientists that conduct research involving human subjects are obligated to ensure their research protocols conform to Institutional Review Board (IRB) ethical and regulatory standards. However, the social scientists’ ethical obligation does not end with IRB approval. They also have a responsibility to be aware of Indigenous ethical frameworks, and to operate within the local standards set by the Tribes and communities with which they work. Yet, research protocols written to adhere to one set of ethical guidelines can sometimes have the unintended consequence of limiting the researcher’s ability to conform to others. For example, when quotes from participants are anonymized to protect their privacy, knowledge-holders do not receive credit for their contributions. When limited infrastructure or exacting consent agreements create immovable barriers to re-using existing data already collected by other researchers, communities can be overburdened with duplicative research requests. Privacy protocols, informed consent, and other ethical standards exist for good reason, but limited tools, and inflexible boilerplate among other drawbacks can create barriers later in a project’s life. This presentation reviews examples taken from practice where ethical standards established during the initial stages of research became barriers later and suggests alternative approaches to reduce the potential for misaligned ethical goals. It also invites a needed discussion of social science lessons learned and best practices for balancing the concurrent needs for privacy, accessibility, and Indigenous people’s authority to control their own data.

• unfold_moreEnhancing the Involvement of Citizens' Knowledge and Perspectives in Faroese Nature Management: A Case Study on the Challenges and Opportunities of Translating Community-Based Monitoring and Citizen Science Policy Goals into Practice — Sjúrður Joensen
  

  Finn Danielsen ¹; Eydfinn Magnussen ²; Sjurdur Hammer ³; Jóna Ólavsdóttir ⁴; Martin Enghoff ¹; Sjúrður Joensen ^{5
  1} NORDECO (Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology); ² University of the Faroe Islands; ³ Faroese Environment Agency; ⁴ University of Aarhus; ⁵ Lonin Hunters Association, Sandoy, Faroe Islands

  Format: Oral in-person

  Abstract:

  The Faroese government’s December 2022 agreement calls for strengthening nature management through locally-based monitoring of sensitive areas. Similarly, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement encourages the use of Community-based Monitoring and Citizen Science to improve decision-making and build societal support for conservation. We facilitated focus group meetings with hunters and nature enthusiasts in Viðoy, Sandoy, Skúgvoy, and Suðuroy. At the meetings, the discussions covered: (i) what changes hunters have observed in nature, (ii) what the biggest challenges are in managing seabirds and other natural resources, and (iii) how local knowledge and perspectives are incorporated into government decisions. Subsequently, a workshop was organized with hunters, farmers, public authorities, and researchers to explore ways to enhance Faroese nature management by incorporating citizens' knowledge, drawing on Arctic experiences. Focus was on how the concerned citizens understand the situation. In this presentation, we will present lessons from the focus group meeting and workshop and discuss challenges and opportunities of translating Community-based Monitoring and Citizen Science policy goals into practice in the Faroe Islands. The hunters possess valuable environmental knowledge. They share a common interest with authorities and researchers in sustainable resource use. However, the hunters emphasized the need for more opportunities to contribute meaningfully, as they believe authorities lack the necessary insight to balance environmental, social, and cultural sustainability. A key recommendation is for the authorities to clarify who will lead the integration of citizens' knowledge into nature management, particularly for seabirds and bird cliffs, given the involvement of multiple agencies today.

• unfold_moreNavigating expectations in multidisciplinary team science: Self-reflexive ethnography of convergence research — Hannah Bradley 

  Hannah Bradley ^{1 
  1} University of Virginia

  Format: Oral in-person

  Abstract:

  Social scientific analysis of collaboration and co-production of knowledge comprises one third of the objectives of University of Virginia’s NSF Navigating the New Arctic project, “Understanding the Changing Natural-Built Landscape in an Arctic Community: An Integrated Sensor Network in Utqiagvik, Alaska” (2021-2025) alongside design analysis of buildings and infrastructure, and ecological analysis of land-water-atmosphere interactions with the built environment. Through ongoing participant observation of this project’s planning, field research, and partnerships with community organizations, our social scientific research seeks to understand how future collaborations can better address community matters of concern. As social scientists, we navigate our team’s understandings and expectations of our role in the project: Our research topics have an evaluative role (seeking best practices), yet we are not evaluators. We are observing, yet we are also collaborators. We are not specialists in community engagement, though we collaborate in planning engagement strategies. We are studying co-production of knowledge of the project, and are also ethically committed to facilitating co-production of our own study. These gray areas create sites of self-reflexive analysis of the role of social science in multidisciplinary team science. Here we offer reflections on how we are experiencing these multiple roles, preliminary insights we’ve gained from this self-reflexive ethnography, and suggestions for how other research teams might apply this research method to improve their own collaborative practices and produce new knowledge about collaborative knowledge-making.

• unfold_moreAnthropological Fieldwork, Transdisciplinarity and Co-Production of Knowledge — Olga Lauter 

  Olga Lauter ^{1 
  1} University of Texas at El Paso

  Format: Oral in-person

  Abstract:

  Knowledge co-production framework targets bridging different knowledge systems. Collaborations of different knowledge system holders are indispensable for finding innovative and creative solutions to the problems that emerge and persist in the rapidly changing Arctic. Despite a growing recognition of the co-production of knowledge approach among different knowledge system collaborators, they continue to experience challenges in building long-term relationships based on equity (Ellam Yua 2022).

  In an effort to tackle the current issues related but not limited to climate change, biodiversity loss, inadequate housing conditions in the Arctic, interdisciplinary research teams and projects emerge. Despite possibilities of similar approaches across Western science disciplines, interdisciplinary collaborators also face difficulties in developing trustful and equitable relationships. Transitioning from interdisciplinarity towards transdisciplinarity might be helpful in building more efficient research collaborations (Lauter 2023).

  Social scientists, who conduct fieldwork in collaboration with Arctic Indigenous populations, reflect on their positionality and work toward finding better strategies and methods to create dialogues and Indigenous knowledge incorporation opportunities despite power imbalance. This paper illustrates some challenges and opportunities that emerged during a four-year anthropological fieldwork in collaboration with the urban Yup’ik population in Anchorage, Alaska (Lauter 2023). The paper analyzes how the lessons learned from this fieldwork may be relevant to overcoming some barriers in bringing different knowledge systems together, while building transdisciplinary teams and projects.

 

Poster Presentations (during Poster Exhibit and Session on Wednesday 26 March): 

• unfold_morePolitical Ecology perspective on Arctic climate change — Ishfaq Hussain Malik 

  Ishfaq Hussain Malik ¹; James Ford ^{1 
  1} University of Leeds, UK

  Format: Poster in-person

  Poster number: 130

  Abstract:

  Political ecology examines the intricate relationship between power dynamics, socioeconomic inequalities, and historical contexts in driving and shaping environmental changes and outcomes. We explain why political ecology framework and methods are important for understanding Arctic changes as they examine how historical and contemporary power dynamics influence climate change impacts and adaptation among Indigenous Peoples and call for decolonising research methods. This paper examines the political ecology of climate change in the Canadian Arctic, with a specific focus on Inuit in the Nunatsiavut region of Labrador. Cimate change impacts in Nunatsiavut are deeply intertwined with the legacies of colonialism, global capitalism, and market forces, creating significant barriers to adaptation and leading to unequal outcomes among community members. While some can leverage resources and opportunities to adapt, others face significant socioeconomic challenges. This study argues that climate change in the Arctic cannot be fully understood without considering these broader socio-economic-political contexts. By focussing on the experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Nunatsiavut, the paper illustrates how colonial histories, governance structures, ongoing economic exploitation, and socioeconomic factors exacerbate vulnerabilities to climate change and adaptation challenges. The cost of living and the affordability of technology for hunting and travelling are crucial aspects in understanding climate change adaptation. These dynamics result in uneven adaptation capacities, where some community members can leverage resources and opportunities to adapt while others are left behind. The study emphasises the need for more equitable and inclusive adaptation strategies that address these structural factors, ensuring that adaptation efforts are just and sustainable.

• unfold_moreAdapting Strategies for a Changing Arctic: A Call for Interdisciplinary Approaches — Sandra Balão 

  Sandra Balão ^{1 
  1} CAPP/FCT-ISCSP, Universidade de Lisboa

  Format: Poster in-person

  Poster number: 516

  Abstract:

  This paper explores the articulation of strategic studies and Arctic futures. Geopolitical, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions are shaping contemporary Arctic discourse. Besides climate change, new challenges and opportunities emerge, demanding a reevaluation of strategic frameworks to be applied for studying the drivers that contribute to accelerating the growing and visible transformation of the Arctic region. Resource competition, shifting shipping routes and indigenous rights are some of the most prominent emerging trends that can be used to investigate how state and non-state actors navigate the complexities of Arctic governance. Incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives is part of a determinant option aiming to contribute to innovative policy approaches, address global security concerns and to promote cooperation among Arctic nations, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of Arctic dynamics. The main goal of this study is to propose a strategy to be implemented for sustainable development and conflict prevention (and resolution, if possible) in this rapidly evolving landscape. Nevertheless, challenges remain, because navigating these complexities requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders involved.