New report explores the long-term impact of UArctic's Northern Tourism Program
We are very pleased to share a new impact study exploring what more than a decade of collaboration through the UArctic Thematic Network on Northern Tourism has meant for students, researchers and the universities involved.
Impacts of the Northern Tourism Program: Student and Instructor Perspectives, by Aurora Alamani, Stephen Heal and Kirsi Latola, looks back at the development of the Northern Tourism Program and asks what lasting difference it has made.
Beginning with collaborative development work in 2010, the programme has brought together universities and academics across the Nordic countries and Canada. Its distinctive model combines two online courses with an international field course, giving master's students access to specialist expertise, different northern contexts and an international network of fellow students and researchers.
The study combines an alumni survey with interviews with alumni and instructors, using UArctic's Theory of Change approach to trace how programme activities have contributed to longer-term outcomes and impacts.
The findings highlight the importance of field-based learning, mentoring and relationships built over time. Among survey respondents, 21 of 24 reported that the programme had significantly or moderately influenced their perspective on northern tourism development. Climate change was the most strongly retained course concept, with 67% reporting strong recall. Interviews also show how participation helped some alumni move towards doctoral study and research careers, while creating professional and academic relationships that have continued well beyond the programme itself.
A recurring message from instructors is that these impacts did not arise from course content alone. Long-term collaboration and trust between people and institutions have been central to sustaining the programme. As the report concludes, educational impact in networked environments develops through "trust, continuity, intellectual coherence and lived collaboration".
The report identifies practical lessons for the future, including protecting the field-course model, strengthening mentoring, simplifying administrative arrangements and providing more stable multi-year support.
Explore the interactive summary and download the full report here.