The seminar is a joint scientific event of the 10th Annual Research Seminar of the Arctic Doctoral Programme Arktis and the final seminar of the ERDF funded project “Knowledge in environmental planning and decision-making” (2010–2012).

“The rapid change that is taking place in the Arctic – including climate change, industrialization and the globalization of economy which is expected to lead to increased use of Arctic natural resources – has increased recognition of the need for relevant and reliable knowledge for ensuring sustainability in the Arctic communities. Scientific knowledge has a special role in policy-formation and on political fora as it is seen as objective and value-free and thus a suitable basis for political decision-making, even if the privileged position of scientific knowledge has been also questioned. The effects of the use of scientific knowledge is both a classical theme and a hot topic that has raised an increasing attention during recent years among scientists across disciplines as well as politicians, environmental administration and wider audiences,” say the organizers of the seminar.

The seminar will include keynote lectures by Dr. Rasmus Ole Rasmussen (Roskilde University, Denmark and Nordregio, Sweden), Dr. Annika Nilsson (Stockholm Environment Institute, Sweden), Professor Janne Hukkinen (University of Helsinki, Finland), Associate Professor Juha Hiedanpää (Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Finland) and Associate Professor Lassi Heininen (University of Lapland, Finland). These Nordic frontline speakers address the theme of the seminar from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Also the results of the project “Knowledge in environmental planning and decision-making” will be published during the seminar.

The key part of the seminar is student contributions, including seminar presentations and interdisciplinary discussions. The acceptance of presentations will be done by the organizers. An abstract should be submitted for both oral and poster presentations by 17 February 2012 to Ilona Mettiäinen [ilona.mettiainen(at)ulapland.fi]. The deadline of registrations is also on 17 February, and you can find the registration form here.

The Arktis Theme Day is organized just before the seminar, on 14th March. The PhD education day includes a poster workshop, guidance to data management, and practical guidance related to the final stages of the dissertation.

The seminar web page

ARKTIS Theme Day / PhD Course

More information:
Researcher Ilona Mettiäinen, Arctic Centre, ilona.mettiainen(at)ulapland.fi