The projects receiving funding are as follows:

Gender Disparities in Health and Early Education in the Arctic. The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Gender in the Arctic Knowledge Production.

Project partners: UiT (Lead), University of Southern Maine, University of Copenhagen and University of Turku.

Many Western countries report a shortage of workers in health care and early education (HEE occupations), which are especially acute in remote regions in the North with a low population density. Our project addresses one root cause of the labor shortage in HEE: a large gender gap that begins when children develop occupational aspirations in elementary school. In Norway, men are significantly underrepresented in HEE domains and are more likely than women to drop out of communal degree programs. To address this problem that increasingly threatens Arctic communities, the aim of the present proposal is twofold: First, we aim to establish a small and active working group of interdisciplinary Nordic researchers working on this topic. This working group will create dissemination materials and organize outreach activities and thus raise awareness of the topic to policy makers, educators, and the general public. Second, we aim to collaborate to empirically examine factors that foster young adults’ interest in communal degree programs, with a specific focus on young men. Based on this preliminary research, we will prepare funding applications to ensure further funding for networking and research activities.

Art for Arctic Business. The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design (ASAD).

Project partners: Nord University (Lead), University of Akureyri, University of Lapland, Norlandia ART, Linn Rebekka Åmo ENK and Myndlistarfelagid.

Bodø is granted status as European Capital of Culture 2024. B.W.Åmo who will serve as project manager of this project, is a central member of the group monitoring Bodø2024. Through this, NUBS learnt that artists and cultural workers may need business expertise. NUBS and UA then plan to offer shorter courses in various business aspects suited for artists. According to the University of Lapland (UoL), business skills is highly needed among future artists. Our project then has two main elements: Firstly, our project revolves around the integration of art and business students in creative interactions. We believe this concept is innovative and has the potential to bridge the gap between business entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in arts. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, we aim to transform the engagement landscape within the creative art society Secondly, we explore art internship as a course element in extending the artistic and business capability of established artists.

EXTREMES. The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Networks Arctic Indigenous Film, Arctic and Nordic Governance, Ageing and Gender in the Arctic.

Project partners: UiT (Lead), University of Copenhagen and University of Iceland.

This project aims to develop and disseminate a transformative interdisciplinary approach to studying Extreme Marine Environments in the Arctic region (including cold seeps and hydrothermal vents). Not only are such extreme marine environments sources of interest to current oil and gas industries, but they are also places of potential exposure to future practices of deep sea mining. Through interdisciplinary cooperation, the project will develop new ways to sense, understand and imagine the significance of these extreme marine environments in the Arctic region. Extreme marine environments are markers of the future climate of the Earth and should be understood and cared for as such. This new approach will be developed and shared with a wider public. To reach this goal we propose to develop a network, run a workshop at the University of Iceland Research Centre in Þingeyjarsveit involving researchers, local community, and indigenous scholars, and develop an art exhibition in collaboration on Iceland.

Course Development: Advanced methods for characterization and mitigation of Chemicals of Emerging Arctic concern (CEAC) - Acronym: AMO-CEAC. The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Networks POPs and Chemicals of Emerging Arctic Concern in the Asian Arctic, Health and Well-being in the Arctic and Arctic Plastic Pollution.

Project partners: NMBU (Lead), Nord University, Aarhus University, University of Oulu, Memorial University and Ôrebro University.

Associated with the current the Nordic Master programme in Arctic Environmental forensics (NMP-ArcticEnforce) between Nordic Universities from Norway, Sweden and Denmark and the contribution from the EU-project: Arctic Pollution in a One Health perspective – from complex challenges to sustainable solutions (ArcSolution), the AMO-CEAC project team aims at developing an advanced UArctic postgraduate course (10 ECTS) on new advanced methods for identification and sustainable mitigation of chemicals of emerging concern in the Arctic. The focus will be on the anticipated major pollution sources in representative Arctic settlements. A 6-week specialized course will be developed at NMBU combining laboratory experiments, field work and accompanying lectures on organic pollutant characterization, source elucidation and sustainable mitigation strategies. In addition to present already available scientific knowledge, the course will also be used as platform for conveying new findings and strategies developed by ArcSolution to students and non-academic experts interested in further specialisation. The expert teachers will be recruited from the ArcSolution and NM-ArcticEnForce project teams.

Thematic Network on Social Work, University of The Arctic (TNSWUA). The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Social work.

Project partners: Nord University (Lead), University of Lapland, UiT, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Iceland, University of Umeå, McGill University, Humboldt State University, University of Stavanger/Dept. of social Work and Aalborg University.

  • Pre- or post-conference on green social work challenges in the Arctic, Oct. 2025 in connection with European “International Federation of Social Workers” conference in Oslo.
  • Develop a network of social work students in the Arctic, based on our 3-cr. Course on “Social Work in the Arctic”, autumn 2024.
  • Develop a hub/research forum to support development and implementation of several research project.
  • Two physical network meetings from August 2024- August 2026.

Continue the production of our anthology on Social Work in the Arctic.

Student Barents Rescue Exercise: Wildland Fire. The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Arctic Safety and Security.

Project partners: Nord University (Lead), UiT, Laurea University of Applied Sciences and Mid Sweden University.

The project aims to further enhance the collaboration in the field of emergency preparedness education within the Barents region. Four partner universities from Norway, Sweden and Finland have so far conducted three successful hybrid joint university exercises. Increasingly complex regional challenges demand more effective collaboration and interoperability in a wide range of fields. The Norwegian chairship of the Arctic council underlines the need for circumpolar collaboration in light of the record breaking severity and frequency of wildland fires in the Arctic. The purpose of the project is to further develop of the Student Barents Rescue exercise and network activities conducted by the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Safety and Security. At the current stage, networking through physical visits to partner universities and organizing seminars and side-events is the next step in the mission to strengthen the cooperative abilities of the partner universities – in particular a visit to the simulator lab of Mid Sweden University in Östersund.

Arctic-space sustainability. Will establish a new UArctic Thematic network.

Project partners: NMBU (Lead), Stockholm University, University of Akueyri, University of Roskilde, Laval University, University of Oslo, University of St. Andrews, University of British Columbia and Outer Space Institute.

The goal of this project is to map and assess Earth-space sustainability problems and its governance challenges in the Arctic by establishing a long-term collaborative network of scholars interested in the impact of space activities and space infrastructure development for the Northern Circumpolar region. By establishing knowledge exchange across different Arctic countries, an interdisciplinary team of social science researchers will tackle questions of Earth-space sustainability in the Arctic, challenges for local communities, concerns of Indigenous Peoples in the Circumpolar world, and its governance implications. The team will bundle expertise to create a key knowledge network on Arctic-space sustainability. Through online meetings and in-person workshops, the network will create expertise and capacity on outer space and Arctic sustainability building on their specific Northern experience. A symposium on Arctic-space sustainability will communicate our findings to the public and policymakers, and the network will integrate its research activities into teaching activities.

Indigenizing education for sustainability (in ECE and ECTE). Will establish a new UArctic Thematic network.

Project partners: UiT (Lead), Sami University of Applied Sciences, University of Oulu, University of Alaska Southeast, Nord University, HVL, South Dakota State University and Södertörn University.

Our overall goal is to build a collaborative network of scholars that aims to develop and strengthen an Indigenous-based pedagogy and courses for sustainability within the fields of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Childhood Teacher Education (ECTE). The idea of Indigenous-based education is to share and develop knowledge across the circumpolar north based on Indigenous values, knowledge, practices, and ways of being in the world. This network aims to serve as a think tank and a driving force for developing explorative education and research on Indigenous-based pedagogy for sustainability in the formative years of children. This implies deepening our insights into Indigenous values and knowledge systems that values reciprocity and care and exploring ways to implement them in ECE and ECTE. We will exchange teaching approaches and online guest lectures on topics that have relevance for ECTE programs on Indigenous-based pedagogy. The aim is that our collaborative work will influence policy makers to include the voices of children, ECTE students and our mutual Indigenous ancestors to build a sustainable future.

Micro Arctic Climate Simulation (MACS). Will establish a new UArctic Thematic Network.

Project partners: UiT (Lead), University of Cambridge, McGill University, University of Eastern Finland and British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

We aim to establish a new thematic network within UArctic dedicated to simulating climatic systems in the Arctic. The thematic network will be named ´Micro Arctic Climate Simulation´ (MACS). Arctic site-specific research is enhanced when associated with simulation for producing a digital twin and considering future developments. Simulation relates to a wide range of research aspects, many of which are interrelated. Among the topics we hope to tackle are climatic change predictions, virtual prototyping for new and innovative technologies and climate adaptation for Arctic communities. For this project the main goal will be to establish a thematic network founded in association with northern peoples and connected with relevant research groups and institutions. A liaison will be used to create partnerships and build working relations between researchers and map the fields that will be part of MACS.

Sharing and strengthening Indigenous knowledges on land through searvelatnja principle. The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Verdde Project.

Project partners: Sami University of Applied Sciences (Lead), Memorial University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast and Nunavut Arctic College.

This project Sharing and strengthening the Indigenous knowledge on land through searvelatnja principle is about Indigenous education. It supports and strengthens Verdde TN through collaborating education on-line activities and related workshops. The project aims to organize education activities focusing on Indigenous knowledge on land. The project leans on holistic Indigenous understanding of human-land relatedness. Searvelatnja is a principle referring to learning in an informal way in places and along activities where everyone is welcome and valued. It also emphasizes the importance of learning outdoors with land. This type of learning takes place in settings where working and experiencing together is made possible. The goal of the project is twofold. First goal is to organize pre- and post on-line sharing circles for Verdde TN related scholars. The second goal is to gather young and elders, local and global circumpolar participants to educational workshops to share and learn about local Indigenous knowledge on land. Participants meet in Guovdageaidnu to have several workshops connecting them to local land with traditional practices, sharing circle and art. These workshops are following the searvelatnja principle. Local Indigenous knowledge holders will partly be leading these workshops.

Collaborative Summer School "Sustainable Blue Growth in the High North". The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Blue Economy and the Arctic.

Projects partners: Nord University (Lead), University of Alaska Anchorage, University Centre of the Westfiords, University of Umeå, Institute of the North, The Arctic Institute- Center for Circumpolar Security Studies, Innovation Norway and University of Split.

The project objective is to strengthen collaboration between the members of the UArctic Thematic Network Blue Economy in the Arctic through the joint development of an interdisciplinary Summer School titled Sustainable Blue Growth in the High North. The Summer School’s objectives will be threefold: 1) to look at the blue economy from a practical perspective, 2) to critically discuss the current challenges and opportunities associated with the sustainable blue economy, and 3) to enhance understanding of Northern Norway as an Arctic context. The Summer School will be held at Nord University in Bodø, Norway in July 2025 and 2026, respectively, as a one-week intensive course with guest lectures, student workshops, company visits, and field trips. Based on the cooperation between UArctic Members, the Summer School will further promote Northern perspectives among young people and experts in the blue economy from outside of the Arctic region.

Developing a new toolkit for assessing Arctic herbivore diet. The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Herbivory.

Project partners: University of Oslo (Lead), University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Oulu, Agricultural University of Iceland, NMBU and University of California, Davis.

Understanding trophic interactions, or who is eating what, is essential for predicting the dynamics and the resilience of the Arctic tundra ecosystem. With accelerated climate change already disrupting species interactions, it is crucial to incorporate direct assessments of animal diets into current monitoring efforts. As part of the UArctic Thematic Network on Herbivory, our collaborative research aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of two primary methods for analysing herbivore diets - DNA metabarcoding and stable isotopes. Using reindeer as a model system, we will leverage existing sample sets from across the Arctic and generate DNA metabarcoding and stable isotope data from the same samples to assess method comparability, as well as their respective strengths and limitations. Engaging researchers at all career stages from Norway, Finland, Iceland, and the USA, our collaborative effort will produce a much-needed toolkit for non-invasively monitoring plant-herbivore interactions in the Arctic. Furthermore, this project will lay the groundwork for establishing a permanent working group on diet analysis within the Herbivory Network.

Academic Collaboration for Zero Carbon Energy Technologies in the Arctic (ZeroET). The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Renewable Energy

Project partners: UiT (Lead), University of Oulu, Nord University and TECO 2030 Innovation Center.

The Academic Collaboration for Zero Carbon Energy Technologies in the Arctic (ZeroET) project aims to promote collaboration between the University of Oulu, Nord University, Norway and UiT, the Arctic University of Norway, focused on the development of renewable energy relevant for subarctic and arctic conditions; and that addresses stakeholders’ desired outcomes for better and more sustainable energy efficiency. The project has the following defined objectives: To enhance long term university partnerships between Finland and Norway; to enhance mutual academic understanding through student and staff exchanges; to develop joint course content and modules particularly focused at MSc and PhD levels; including web based/online teaching material for distance learning; and to ensure that the project outcome will foster the discussion of sustainability issues related to the renewable energy, outreach material will be prepared in local languages (Norwegian, Finnish and Northern Sami). The long-term aim is to contribute to research-driven teaching and learning in renewable energy development for 2 of 7 northern climate conditions. ZeroET has two academic components: an engineering component and a human dimension component. The activities will be postgraduate student-driven and will have research and training elements.

Project title: DART (Digital ARktisk Tvilling). The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Climate Justice (in the Arctic).

Project partners: UiO (Lead), UiT, University of Aberdeen, Glasgow Caledonian University, Aarhus University, Luleå Technological University, Durham University, University of Washington and IT University (DK).

Our DART (Digital ARktisk Tvilling) project will develop digital twins to study just transitions to net zero under the aegis of the UArctic ‘Climate Justice’ thematic network. Objectives: 1. A cross-disciplinary circumpolar network (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, UK, USA) for future grant applications 2. Digital twins of arctic systems (environmental, legislative, economic, health) for data-collection optimization, simulation 3. Uncertainty quantification (Monte Carlo & symbolic-execution-based simulations with Bayesian perspective) 4. Assessment of how Arctic digital twins can help implement Paris Agreement. Milestones: 1. Partner workshops (Oslo yr 1; Durham yr 2) 2. Submissions to COP30, 31. Target Audience: Academics; policymakers (regional to transnational: UNFCCC), northern communities. Deliverables: 1. ‘Proof of concept’ digital twin platform 2. Generative machine learning methods for digital twin semantic enrichment (arctic systems under climate change) 3. Grant applications (Horizon Europe UKRI-RCN).