Northern communities are characterized by strong local community culture and uniqueness, strong visibility of global changes such as the climate crisis, and ongoing social, cultural and economic exchange with the populous central areas. Northern and Arctic communities may be positioned as targets of change processes determined elsewhere, but they also offer alternative perspectives and solutions to global questions.
The Global Northern Communities research community approaches northern societies from the perspectives of Political Science, Cultural Studies, Cultural History, Arctic Indigenous Studies and other social sciences disciplines. The research themes range from the fundamental questions of the existence of individuals and communities – such as continuity, sustainability, social acceptance – to the diverse practices of governance, culture, knowledge and knowing. The research also adopts perspectives of law, education, art and natural sciences.