WITNESS places residents of the (sub-)Arctic at the center of a time marked by rapid environmental, societal, and geopolitical change. The project is built on the idea that local people are the most important witnesses to these transformations. It develops new ways of collecting and connecting lived experiences, environmental observations, media narratives, cultural expression, and intergenerational and Indigenous knowledge in ways that strengthen agency, dialogue, and practical action.

WITNESS brings together diverse perspectives on the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, pressures related to land use and natural resource exploitation, changes driven by tourism, and growing geopolitical and security concerns. At the same time, the project develops and pilots new approaches to enhance the capacity of (sub-)Arctic residents to influence decision-making and shape their futures. Sámi actors play a central role in the project as partners and knowledge holders, with the aim of bringing local voices more strongly into public debate and policymaking.

By combining art, research-based knowledge, dialogue, and media, WITNESS creates new interdisciplinary approaches to strengthening citizen participation and agency in a rapidly changing Arctic environment.

The word witness can be understood as “a witness to change”, as the project is fundamentally concerned with documenting experiences, observations, and knowledge, and turning them into meaningful influence and action.

WITNESS is funded by the Strategic Research Council of Finland.

Funding awarded to the University of Lapland:

  • Professor Jonna Häkkilä, Faculty of Art and Design, consortium leader: €343,523
  • Professor Ashley Colley, Faculty of Art and Design: €480,932
  • Research Professor Juha Joona, Arctic Centre: €240,461
  • Professor Ilkka Ratinen, Faculty of Education: €239,477

Keywords: Arctic in Transition, LUXteam