The High North Center, Nord University and the Belfer Center Arctic Initiative, Havard Kennedy School welcome proposals for stories and case studies to incorporate into «What it means to be resilient: Lessons from the Arctic» - a project aimed at exploring stories and case studies of resilience in the Arctic context.
To maintain momentum and enrich the research and knowledge-building process, the project incorporates several supporting activities, including:
- A peer-reviewed book,
- A virtual storyboard,
- Workshops,
- Podcasts, and
- Webinars
Researchers from diverse fields are invited to submit abstracts and proposals for the peer-reviewed book AND/OR the virtual storyboard. Particular attention will be placed on including Indigenous researchers and knowledge holders in the project.
If you have an interesting experience, case study, or research that exemplifies Arctic resilience, we invite you to submit a proposal by October 10th, 2024, via this form.
Project Overview
Often stories about the Arctic focus on the many challenges and vulnerabilities that the region faces. While there is no question that the Arctic sits on the frontlines of some of the world’s greatest challenges, the Arctic also offers powerful stories of resilience that it is critical that we capture and learn from.
“What it means to be resilient: Lessons from the Arctic” is an ambitious project aimed at exploring stories and case studies of resilience in the Arctic context. Spearheaded by a team of Arctic researchers, this project seeks to delve into the unique ways Arctic communities, industries, projects, cities, supply chains, and organizations evolve, adapt, and thrive in the face of extreme conditions and dramatic climatic, environmental, economic, political, social, and technological changes. This project aims to:
- profile the experiences and lessons learned from individual resilience stories and cases from across the Arctic,
- consider the unique conditions and characteristics of resilience in the Arctic,
- continue to build a community of researchers interested in Arctic resilience, and
- foster a deeper understanding of resilience as a dynamic, multifaceted phenomenon that is crucial for the sustainability of communities in the face of ongoing and future challenges.
Peer-Reviewed Book
By November 1st, 2024, the project team will evaluate the book chapter proposals and decide on cases/chapters to be included in the book. An application to an international publisher will be sent before the end of 2024. Further work with the chapters will proceed until final chapter submissions in September 2025. This assumes 2 rounds of peer reviews. Expected time of book publication is spring/summer 2026.
Virtual storyboard
The Arctic Resilience Storyboard (demo site HERE) will showcase detailed narratives and significant insights from various cases using a variety of media tools (interviews, photos, short stories, audio recordings, etc.).
This platform not only increases visibility for the research, but also engages a broader audience, enhancing the educational impact of the project. On the platform we will present variety of Arctic resilience cases not limited by the book project.
Workshops, podcasts, and webinars
The project team will host a series of workshops for participants of the book project to strengthen collective effort, mutual learning and communication between authors and chapters. Further, we are planning a series of podcasts featuring discussions with key researchers from all over the Arctic. These podcasts aim to delve deeper into the challenges and strategies of Arctic communities, providing a more personal touch to the scientific discourse.
Furthermore, a series of workshops and webinars will be held throughout the project's duration. These events are designed to facilitate collaboration among contributors, enhance the quality of the research, and provide continuous engagement with the research community and the public. By integrating these activities with the main research efforts, the project ensures a rich, interactive, and productive development process that not only supports the publication of the book, but also promotes a sustained interest in Arctic resilience.
Project Team
- Andrey Mineev, PhD, Researcher/project manager, High North Center for Business, Nord University Business School (Norway)
- Jennifer Spence, PhD, Project Director of the Arctic Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs (USA)
- Frode Mellemvik, PhD, Professor, High North Center for Business, Nord University Business School (Norway)
- Bjørn Olsen, PhD, Professor, Nord University Business School (Norway)
About us
- Located in Bodø, Norway, The High North Center for Business and Governance is an international center for research, education and communication, connected to societal and business development in the Arctic. Learn more.
- Launched in 2017, the Belfer Center Arctic Initiative at Havard Kennedy School address the challenges and opportunities being created by rapid transformations in the far North. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts (US). Learn more.