Thematic Networks and Institutes

They form a natural framework for development of UArctic education and research providing an optimal structure for increasing the knowledge generation and sharing across the North. UArctic Institutes are self-governing units devoted to research, monitoring and education throughout the Arctic. Empowered by local knowledge and international level academic expertise, they facilitate development of multidisciplinary solutions for challenges in the Arctic.

Thematic Networks Activities 2022 

Thematic Networks video interviews

Click the categories below to see the Thematic Networks and Institutes associated with each field.

The Thematic Networks in the field of business, politics and law focus on northern communities and societies. The questions studied approach the communities and societies from different angles but they all deal with issues related to governance, politics and the economic sector, such as energy, enterprises and tourism, that currently experience pressure caused by globalization and climate change. Altogether, the research conducted within these Thematic Networks aims to understand the opportunities and challenges the societies and communities are facing, and in finding solutions for adaptation, mitigation and development via research, cooperation and education.

Arctic and Northern Governance

Arctic Economic Science

Arctic in Asia and Asia in the Arctic

Arctic Law

Arctic Migration

Arctic Plastic Pollution

Arctic Safety and Security

Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility

Arctic Transport and Logistics

Blue Economy and the Arctic

Climate Justice in the Arctic

Collaborative Resource Management

Gender in the Arctic Knowledge Production

Geopolitics and Security

Managing Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in the North

Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research

Northern Tourism

Research Analytics and Bibliometrics

Smart Societies in the High North (SmartNorth)

Sustainable Production and Foraging of Natural Products in the North

Thematic Networks in the field of culture and social sciences address socially and culturally cross-cutting topics that are interdisciplinary, circumpolar, and relevant to northern communities. Enpowerment and solutions are seeked through collaboration and education and by including the local knowledge and involvement to the process. The research questions studied cover the social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts of Arctic extractive industries, and economic and business development and their role in northern communities. The commercialization of science, technology and innovations, as well as the local and regional development need to go hand in hand with these developments in order to identify opportunities and barriers of innovations in the North. The understanding of tourism issues with particular relevance for current challenges and future needs in the Arctic region is essential in order to contribute to community needs in the Arctic.

Arctic Extractive Industries

Arctic in Asia and Asia in the Arctic

Arctic Migration

Arctic Telecommunications and Networking

Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility

BEBO - For the Future of Reindeer Husbandry

Bioregional Planning for Resilient Rural Communities

Blue Economy and the Arctic

Circumpolar Archives, Folklore and Ethnography (CAFE)

Climate Justice in the Arctic

Collaborative Resource Management

Critical Arctic Studies

Digital North: Three-Dimensional Technologies and Arctic Education

Gender in the Arctic Knowledge Production

Local-Scale Planning, Climate Change and Resilience

Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research

Northern Tourism

Research Analytics and Bibliometrics

Science Diplomacy

Smart Societies in the High North (SmartNorth)

Arctic environmental conditions, such as permafrost, often place special demands on solutions used in engineering and technology, and on innovations feeding the development in these areas. The Thematic Networks in the field of engineering and technology are seeking to develop sustainable technologies that enable the improvement of the quality of life and the economic development in Arctic communities and societies, while not compromising the fragile environment. This is done in collaboration with governments and governmental agencies, associations and companies as well as with the local inhabitants to ensure that the needs of different stakeholders are heard and met. The Thematic Networks within this area focus on practical development of the sustainable technologies, commercially viable scientific and technological innovations, and initiating and fostering efforts in the field of environmental impact assessment of contaminated areas.

Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility

Arctic Telecommunications and Networking

Arctic Transport and Logistics

Arctic Urban Planning and Design

Arctic WASH

Circular Economy

Collaborative Resource Management

Gender in the Arctic Knowledge Production

Permafrost

Renewable Energy

Research Analytics and Bibliometrics

Science Diplomacy

Smart Societies in the High North (SmartNorth)

Living in the Arctic and northern areas include specific features such as long distances and rural and urban isolated communities, which can pose challenges for economic development, employment, education, and social and health services. Other current and social welfare and health issues affecting the population living in the Arctic areas include, for example, localized pollution problems, climate change-related health effects, and social problems caused by substance abuse, domestic violence and marginalization. Multidisciplinary solutions are required in finding practices that best serve communities with indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Thematic Networks in the field of health and education focus on these specific features and challenges by seeking collaboration in research and education in the fields of distance education and e-learning, e-health and public health, health promotion, food security, social work, environmental training, sustainable development, and teacher training.

Blue Economy and the Arctic

Children in the Arctic

Climate Justice in the Arctic

Collaborative Online International Learning and Biodiversity Education across the Arctic Circle

Collaborative Resource Management

Distance Education and e-Learning

Gender in the Arctic Knowledge Production

Health and Well-being in the Arctic

Model Arctic Council

Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research

Northern Food Security

Northern Nursing Education

POPs and Chemicals of Emerging Concern in the Asian Arctic

Research Analytics and Bibliometrics

Social Work

Sustainable Production and Foraging of Natural Products in the North

Teacher Education for Social Justice and Diversity in Education

Verdde Program

Working in the Arctic

Applied visual arts, craft, design and media have increasing importance in today's global world in sustaining the unique features and traditions of Arctic indigenous people, addressing current cultural phenomena, and cultivating new ideas. The Thematic Networks in the field of humanities and arts promote knowledge exchange and innovative practices in teaching and research in arts, design and visual culture. Arctic research in these areas is communicated using different methodologies such as print and digital publications, data visualization, map-based communication and video. Forms of collaboration cultivated in the humanities and arts Thematic Networks include, for example, innovative productions, courses, workshops, teacher and student exchange, events and exhibitions. Even though all of the five Thematic Networks in this thematic area have a different focus varying from visual communication of science to indigenous arts and crafts, and from world images to digital media and media arts, they all share the northern and Arctic viewpoint.

Arctic Cultures and History (ARCH)

Arctic Indigenous Film

Arctic Migration

Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design

Circumpolar Archives, Folklore and Ethnography (CAFE)

Communicating Arctic Research

Gender in the Arctic Knowledge Production

Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research

Research Analytics and Bibliometrics

UArctic World Ensemble

The effects of climate change and globalization are in many respects most pronounced in the Arctic, affecting both nature and environment, and the people living in this area. The Thematic Networks within the natural sciences focus on several topical issues in Arctic research ranging from permafrost, polar ice, climate and land dynamics to natural hazards and livelihoods utilizing the Arctic environment and natural resources. The common feature to all these Thematic Networks is that they take a look on the underlying factors and effects of changes, adaptation to them, and education of the next generation of scientists and managers familiar with these issues. The approaches to the topical questions and problems may, however, vary from theoretical perspectives and use of models and proxies for future predictions to encouraging concrete, comparative dialogue between indigenous people and the local economies in sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Arctic Boreal Hub

Arctic Geology

Arctic Plastic Pollution

Arctic Space Hub

Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility

Arthropods of the Tundra / NeAT

Collaborative Resource Management

Disasters and Natural Hazards

Gender in the Arctic Knowledge Production

Herbivory

High Latitude Dust

Local-Scale Planning, Climate Change and Resilience

Microtomography of Arctic Marine Organisms

Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research

Ocean Food Systems

POPs and Chemicals of Emerging Concern in the Asian Arctic

Permafrost

Research Analytics and Bibliometrics

Science Diplomacy

Sustainable Production and Foraging of Natural Products in the North

UArctic Institutes are self-governing units devoted to research, monitoring and education throughout the Arctic. Empowered by local knowledge and international level academic expertise, they facilitate development of multidisciplinary solutions for challenges in the Arctic. 

EALÁT Institute

Institute for Arctic Policy

Læra Institute for Circumpolar Education

Northern Research Forum