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Collecting Knowledge from Finnmark’s Plateau to Japan

Shared Voices 2021 Collecting Knowledge From Finnmark’S Plateau To Japan
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By Amanda Åsberg, Adviser, Centre for High North Logistics, Nord University

The industrial potential in the Arctic is significant, from minerals and raw materials to energy resources.

At the same time, there are transport challenges due to remoteness, harsh Arctic climatic conditions, ice-covered waters, and lack of necessary support infrastructure. This makes year-round operations difficult. Therefore there is a great need to develop good infrastructure and plan efficient transport systems. For this to happen, the development of expertise and exchange of experiences across national borders is crucial.

The UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Transport and Logistics (ATL) is a cooperation between the Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL), Murmansk State Technical University in Russia, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Hokkaido University in Japan, and International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry in Norway. ATL strives to develop innovative, green and optimized transport and logistics systems in the High North. Its main focus is on Arctic maritime transport, and through a new project, it will also analyze maritime connections to rail, air and river transport.

The ATL network, consisting of members from the entire circumpolar area, will collect research and knowledge on Arctic logistics and transport with the aim to develop the necessary competence. Through three workshops, joint research and increased student mobility, ATL will work to build bridges between local communities, industry and authorities in the Circumpolar North. In addition, the network will engage in international forums such as the Arctic Council’s Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) working group.

ATL will work to enhance knowledge about Arctic climate and ecosystems, as well as preserving Indigenous peoples’ interests. This will be incorporated into new educational programs and also disseminated to Arctic businesses and authorities. The project will establish research teams on specific topics and assess all potential sources for joint research across borders. Through close cooperation, case studies and scenario analysis, ATL highlights logistical challenges and solutions in the Arctic.

Minimizing environmental impacts of shipping and other Arctic commercial operations is of great importance and relies on using up-to-date research results. By establishing research teams on specific topics related to Arctic transport, the network strives to find possible solutions to national and international problems. Engaging new researchers and stakeholders in the Arctic is also an important part of the project activities. One approach is determining the demand for new educational programs with focus on Arctic logistics and transport infrastructure development. Sharing knowledge from Norway to Japan through the development of a joint master’s degree program, student exchange, faculty mobility among the network members, and professional courses for practitioners is the foundation for future opportunities in the Arctic.

Table of Contents

  1. Letter from the President

    By Lars Kullerud

  2. Editorial

    By Outi Snellman

  3. UArctic – an Indispensable Arctic Actor

    By Annika Saarikko

  4. Growing Connections Between Scotland and UArctic

    By Richard Lochhead

  5. Canada’s Vision for Arctic Youth Empowerment

    By David Sproule

  6. In Memoriam: Oliver William (Bill) Heal, 1934-2021

  7. Arctic Philanthropist: Interview with Frederik Paulsen

    By Hannele Palviainen

  8. Interviews of UArctic Board members: Anne Husebekk

    By Arne O. Holm

  9. Interviews of UArctic Board members: Evon Peter

    By Arne O. Holm

  10. Interviews of UArctic Board members: Mikhail Pogodaev

    By Arne O. Holm

  11. Becoming Circumpolar: Reflections on Origins and Outcomes

    By Amanda Graham

  12. New Directions in Circumpolar Studies: Launching the Læra Institute

    By Anthony Speca, Anthony Speca, Heather Nicol and Gary Wilson

  13. UArctic at a Glance

  14. Arena for the Gap Analysis of the Existing Arctic Science Co-Operations

    By Hanna Lappalainen and Stephany Mazon

  15. North-Eastern Federal University: Sustainable Development & Bridging the Arctic and Asia

    By Vladimir Suzdalov

  16. UArctic-HIT Training Centre: A Bridge Between Arctic and Chinese Universities

    By Yi-Fan Li

  17. 14 Years of Arctic Indigenous Collaboration with BEBO – How Has It Been?

    By Marina Falevitch and Mika Aromäki

  18. Arctic Makes: Observations, Lessons, and Solutions from the Geographic Periphery

    By Svetlana Usenyuk-Kravchuk and Timo Jokela

  19. CHARTER – Towards a Broader Understanding of Arctic Complexity

    By Philip Burgess

  20. Eating Plants to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change on Tundra?

    By Isabel C. Barrio et al

  21. A Sense of Home Across the Arctic Through Wild Foods

    By Harmony Jade Wayner

  22. Improved Water Access and Sanitary Conditions in Rural Arctic Settlements

    By Pernille Erland Jensen and Aaron Dotson

  23. The Arctic Yearbook: An Open Access Platform for Arctic Studies and Research

    By Lassi Heininen and Heather Exner-Pirot

  24. The Battle of the Arctic: To Drill or Not to Drill?

    By Angelina Giordano

  25. 6G as a Universal Connectivity Provider in the 2030s

    By Harri Saarnisaari, Hanna Saarela and Marja-Matinmikko-Blue

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