Social Work in the Arctic Webinar Series
The UArctic Thematic Network on Social Work invites you to attend the 2026 Social Work in the Arctic Webinar series in Zoom.
Session 1: Urbanization & Rurality in the High North – Challenges for Social Work
In this webinar we will focus on the impact of urbanization and demographic change on the organization and delivery of social services in the High North. Drawing on experiences from Icelandic social services and research on Arctic and rural regions, we look at challenges such as long distances, population decline, and access to services. At the same time, the presentation highlights the strengths of these communities, including social cohesion, resilience, and traditions of mutual support, as well as the potential of remote work and digital infrastructure to support sustainable development. The aim is to stimulate discussion on the opportunities and the challenges facing social work in rural and Arctic contexts.
Date: October 1, 2026
Time: 8 – 9:45 am Alaska Time; 9 – 10:45 am Pacific Time; 12 - 1:45 pm Eastern Standard Time; 4 – 5:45 pm Iceland, 6 – 7:45 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Instructor: Professor Halldór S. Guðmundsson, University of Iceland
Session 2: Social Work and Indigenous People
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: 8 – 9:45 am Alaska Time; 9 – 10:45 am Pacific Time; 12 - 1:45 pm Eastern Time; 4 – 5:45 pm Iceland, 6 – 7:45 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Instructors: Professor Wanda Gabriel and Professor Nicole Ives, McGill University
Session 3: Sami Perspectives on Child Welfare Services in Norway
This webinar is based on research in care institutions in Northern Norway, which show that the rights of Sami children can be difficult to uphold for various reasons. We place the findings in historical and legal context and aim to focus on the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. We present a model for cultural safety and reflect on how the child welfare system can ensure culturally adapted care that safeguards the rights of Sami children. Participants will gain tools and ideas that can be implemented in institutions.
Date: October 15, 2026
Time: 8 – 9:45 am Alaska Time; 9 – 10:45 am Pacific Time; 12 - 1:45 pm Eastern Time; 4 – 5:45 pm Iceland, 6 – 7:45 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Instructor: Professor Siss-Mari Solli, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Session 4: Social Work and Climate Change in the Arctic
This webinar will explore the complex effects of climate change on the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in the Arctic. We will identify the knowledge and skills that social workers in the Arctic need to understand and engage in the complex social, economic, and environmental justice issues related to climate change in the next decade.
Date: October 22, 2026
Time: 8 – 9:45 am Alaska Time; 9 – 10:45 am Pacific Time; 12 - 1:45 pm Eastern Time; 4 – 5:45 pm Iceland, 6 – 7:45 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Instructor: Professor Mary Dallas Allen, University of Alaska Anchorage
