Global Northern Communities and Societies

Our research 

Northern communities are characterised by strong local community culture and uniqueness, strong visibility of global changes such as the climate crisis, and ongoing social, cultural and economic exchange with the populous central areas. Northern and Arctic communities may be positioned as targets of change processes determined elsewhere, but they also offer alternative perspectives and solutions to global questions. 

The Global Northern Communities and Societies research community approaches northern societies from the perspectives of Political Science, Cultural Studies, Cultural History, Arctic Indigenous Studies and other social science disciplines.  

The research themes range from the fundamental questions of the existence of individuals and communities – such as continuity, sustainability and social acceptance – to the diverse practices of governance, culture, knowledge and knowing. The research also adopts perspectives of law, education, art and natural sciences. 

Our objectives are: 

• to examine the social, cultural, political and historical circumstances of northern communities and to conduct community-based participatory research with Arctic indigenous peoples
• to establish new ways of knowing and new methodologies in social sciences and the humanities
• to bring together research conducted in the fields represented by us, to create research networks within the University of Lapland and to expand these both nationally and internationally
• to be an acknowledged actor in research on northern societies in academia and society at large.

Get to know our researchers

Leena Suopajärvi

University Lecturer

Faculty of Social Sciences

+358 40 484 4234 leena.suopajarvi@ulapland.fi Research profile

Democratic participation of the Sámi people in the energy transition

This research project is led by professor Rauna Kuokkanen.

Democratic participation of the Sámi people in the energy transition

This research project is led by professor Rauna Kuokkanen.