Two profiles, three spearheads
The profile areas of research at the University – international research on the Arctic and northern issues as well as tourism research – describe the shared themes that overarch research.
The Arctic and northern issues are approached from the perspectives of people, society and the environment as well as their mutual interaction. Research topics extensively cover the entire northern circle of life, including studies on Arctic indigenous people, the impact of global changes on Arctic and northern communities as well legal issues relating to the Arctic and northern environment and people.
Tourism research extensively examines tourism: as mobility, interaction between people and cultures, and as experiences and life. Ecologically and socially sustainable tourism is a particular focus area.
Furthermore, three multidisciplinary focus areas are emphasised within the profile areas:
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Service design
- Northern welfare and changing work
- Sustainable development, law and justice
Service design provides an opportunity to make use of interaction between art and science, which is a typical feature of the University. Through research, both industrial products and service concepts can be developed for all areas of life, including tourism, welfare services, education, culture and services as well as for designing accessible, safe environments. Professor responsible for the focus area is Vice-Rector, Professor Minna Uotila.
Research on northern welfare and changing work comprises a specific theme in studying changes in work and welfare from the perspectives of the environment, economic structures, communities and cultures. The University has a national responsibility for social scientific research on Sámi issues. Professor responsible for the focus area is Professor Asko Suikkanen.
Research on sustainable development, law and justice aims to generate information on the northern and Arctic operating environment from the perspectives of sustainable social, economic, ecological, legal and cultural development. Studies also analyse political sustainability, such as the interests of various instances in relation to the conditions and regulations of an operating environment. Specific research areas include themes relating to sustainable tourism and indigenous people. The University has a national responsibility for conducting research on the rights of Sámi people. Professor responsible for the focus area is Professor Juha Karhu.
There are
nine spearhead projects under way within the focus areas, as a part of conducting University's strategy for 2020.
In addition to the afore-mentioned focus areas,
faculties and research centres have their own areas of interest. Further information is available under the following links.