The University of Lapland’s strategic international master’s programmes are Arctic World Politics, Design for XR and Immersive Experiences, and Sustainable Naturecultures. They contribute to strengthening the activities of the university’s internal strategic research communities.

The University of Lapland aims to strengthen its position as a leading university in its key fields of expertise. In 2025, the University of Lapland defined its core research areas, advancing multidisciplinary collaboration through three research communities: Arctic Change and Adaptation, Design and Services, and Sustainable Naturecultures.

In terms of education, the aim means strong and high-quality education and investment in international master’s degree programmes located in the three research communities.

The strategic international master’s programmes have been selected by an evaluation pool chaired by Vice Rector for Education Piia Björn.

– We need more international expertise, which is why the education development plan aims at opening international degree education and especially master’s degree programmes, Björn says.

According to Björn, it is important that the university’s best researchers are also involved in teaching. The strategic international master’s programmes are offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Art and Design, and the Faculty of Education.

– Each of the three master’s programmes includes cooperation with the Faculty of Law, the Arctic Centre and our key networks. For example, cooperation with the UArctic and Arctic Six networks has been considered in the planning of the programmes. A comprehensive approach to security is integrated across all programmes.

Arctic World Politics

The master’s programme in the Arctic Change and Adaptation research community is Arctic World Politics (AWP), which the evaluation pool considered to be highly attractive and topical. The academic leader of the programme is Professor Laura Junka-Aikio from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The AWP is already underway, and it will be updated to a strategic master’s program with strategic funding. The evaluation pool viewed positively the program’s connections to international law, security, and political themes.

– The Arctic region is currently facing enormous pressures for changes related to climate change, the exploitation of natural resources and Arctic transport routes, as well as military activity, Junka-Aikio describes.

As external interest in the region grows, it is important that knowledge and expertise are also grounded in the perspectives, experiences, and needs of Arctic communities themselves.

– We have a great opportunity to educate experts – whether for research or for work in ministries, NGOs, and the EU – who understand Arctic global politics firsthand from the perspectives of both local and global justice and sustainability.

The updated master’s programme is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2027.

Design for XR and Immersive Experiences

The strategic master’s programme in Design and Services research community is in Design for XR and Immersive Experiences. According to the evaluation pool, the programme’s strengths are its topical emphasis on technology, relevance to working life and a clear employment perspective.

The academic leader of the programme is Professor Ashley Colley from the Faculty of Art and Design. According to him, the master’s programme focuses on the design of interactive systems, services, and environments using extended reality (XR) technologies.

– The programme builds on the University of Lapland’s strengths in human-centered design and leverages access to the MAGICS national research infrastructure hub at the University of Lapland, providing students with opportunities to work with advanced research tools, Colley says.

The new master’s programme responds to growing international demand for expertise in immersive technologies and positions graduates to contribute to advanced research and emerging industry needs. It is planned to start in the fall of 2028.

Sustainable Naturecultures

The master’s programme in Sustainable Naturecultures is named after the research community. It contributes to advancing the sustainability transition by enhancing experts’ sustainability expertise.

The programme received special acknowledgement from the evaluation pool for its careful preparatory work, which is being carried out to ensure the program’s appeal and relevance to the professional world.

The academic leader of the programme is Professor Ilkka Ratinen from the Faculty of Education.

– The northern dimension and nature-based thinking are emphasized in multi-crisis problem-solving skills, for example in promoting the circular economy, Ratinen says.

The new master’s programme will establish strong connections with the working world, particularly in terms of internships. The programme is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2029.

Further information:

News: University of Lapland’s research communities emphasise knowledge together (4.5.2026)