Before starting her Master’s degree, Nea Karila took a break from her studies to consider what she truly wanted to study and research next. She ultimately chose Arctic World Politics as her degree programme as it supports the same themes that had captured her interest earlier. 

Karila describes her studies as inspiring and says that the support of skilled teachers enhanced the experience. 

“The most rewarding part of my studies was writing the Master’s Thesis, as it was a very personal project that sparked my interest in research. I hope to continue my studies in the future as well.” 

Karila’s ethnographic research discusses how conservation efforts shape the relationship between humans and the Arctic fox, as well as the cooperation between the two species. Last summer, Karila collected the materials for the research in Norway, where she got to observe the conservation work alongside professionals. 

The Master's programme known in Finnish as Arktinen maailmanpolitiikka is becoming international and will now be known as Arctic World Politics, as the first international students begin their studies in August.

In the Arctic World Politics Master's Programme, global politics is examined with a particular focus on indigenous and environmental perspectives. The studies are a combination of political research, sociology, Arctic anthropology, Sámi and Indigenous studies as well as environmental research. 

More information: 

Pohjolan naalin suojelu: toivon kannattelemaa hoivaa Fennoskandian tuntureilla  (transl. Conservation of the North’s Arctic Fox: Hope-Driven Care in the Fennoscandian Fells) (only in Finnish):  https://lauda.ulapland.fi/handle/10024/66571%E2%80%AF 

Master’s Degree Programme in Arctic World Politics: https://www.ulapland.fi/EN/Admissions/Masters-Studies/Masters-Degree-Programmes/Arctic-World-Politics-%E2%80%AF 

Laura Junka-Aikio  
Professor  
+358 40 508 6322 
laura.junka-aikio(at)ulapland.fi