Changing Arctic Seminar 1

This is an interdisciplinary course. The course can be taken as a singular course. Priority will be given to PhD candidates enrolled in the Changing Arctic Research School.

Involve students in cutting edge Arctic sustainability and resilience issues. To understand and discuss societal challenges within food security, sustainable energy, health and wellbeing, as well as the candidates' PhD plans and theses. Provide framework to improve candidate´s communication and writing skills including discussing research and publications plans.

Upon completion of the course, participants will have developed

Knowledge:

• specialized knowledge of how the own PhD project relates to societal challenges in the Arctic (including key concepts, issues, and frameworks)
• substantial insight into sustainable development in food security, renewable energy, health and wellbeing in the Arctic.
• knowledge of key concepts and frameworks related to resilience and transformation of socio-economic systems in the Arctic, including adaptation measures
• advanced knowledge in how to perform in international, diverse and interdisciplinary teams for successful problem solving.
• general understanding of opportunities and challenges for integration across different disciplines, sectors and levels of governance to advance sustainable development in the Arctic

Skills:

• critically analyze scientific work and presentations, and provide constructive critique
• use relevant methods to conduct scholarly work on practical and theoretical problems individually and in teams.
• cooperate confidently and effectively with others and facilitate collaborative teamwork to advance common goals
• integrate knowledge from different arenas to analyze problems and propose solutions within the transdisciplinary field of Arctic sustainability

General competence:

• apply above knowledge and skills to carry out advanced assignments
• communicate effectively about the own PhD project and issues and challenges, connected to the changing Arctic, to colleagues and to public audiences
• Develop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others
• analyze relevant academic work, and constructively develop ideas with peers and actors from private and public sector

The seminars will be conducted every second week:

The topics of the seminars, names of lecturers, and any pre-reading will announced a month before the event. A speaker (sometimes a doctoral researcher who present their project) will challenge the participants to oppose and then jointly address a challenge in the Arctic. After lecture/s students will work in international groups in break out rooms responding on seminar questions and assignments.

Online options can be made on request.

Language of instruction and examination

More info about the coursework requirements

• Pre assignment: Mapping the students, knowledge, interest and expectations
• Students need to attend 80% of the every fortnight occurring 2-3 hour seminars.
• Two international joint assignments with students in breakout groups (Umeå, Rovniemi, Tromsø) has to be submitted.

Re-sit examination