Research group
Arctic Research Group: Environment and Societies (ARISE)
About the research group
The region is warming four times faster than the rest of the world and is experiencing dramatic socioeconomic, ecological, and climatic changes. To understand these processes, we use modern theoretical and methodological approaches and adapt their relevance to our collective and individual research fields. Our research interests cover the relationships between humans and nature (climate change, pollution, environmental management), post-human thinking, and the sustainable development of local and indigenous communities. The group actively apply for external funding, strengthen the Arctic network at FSV/Nord with external partners and indigenous organizations, and increase the relevance of Arctic research for educational programs (e.g., Northern Studies, Master's in Social Analysis, and PhD programs with Arctic specialization), and contribute to publications in highly ranked Arctic/polar journals.
Read more about the research group on their blog: Arctic Research at Nord University: – stories and reflections
Research group leaders:
Julia Olsen, associate porfessor, Nord University
Hin Heemstra, associate porfessor, Nord UniversityResearhers:
Anne Wally Falch Ryan
Cordula Karich
Astri Dankertsen
Annelin Seppola
Elisabeth Pettersen
Olof Andreas Stjernström
Astrid Marie Holand
Håkan Torleif Sandersen
Grete Hovelsrud
Albina PashkevichAssociated members:
Eivind Junker
Gunhild Birgitte Sætren
James Badu
Helena Gonzales Lindberg
Julien Lebel
Majken Paulsen
Camilla Risvoll
Birgit Pauksztat
Rory Cassie
Nadezda Nazarova
Virginija Popovaite
Jason Eric Bunderson
Chaima El Hichou Ahmed
Dagmar Gerda Martha
Kristian Åtland
Trude Karine Olaug Gjernes
Tiril Vold HansenPhD students:
Mo Loui Karnbach
Anne Schäfer
Barbara Baczynska
James Badu
Tarjei Hanken- Circumpolar and Nordic Studies
- Master in Social Analysis
- Master in Human Resource Management
- PhD in Social Science, Arctic Vulnerabilities
- ArcSolution – Arctic pollution in a One Health perspective – from complex challenges to sustainable solutions
- Thawing Arctic permafrost, emerging risks: managing critical infrastructure, cultural heritage, and mountain slopes under climate change - Prosjektbanken
- Sustainable Arctic Cruise Communities – From practice to governance
- EEA Bilateral initiative project on sustainable macroalgae farming along European shores
- Biocultural Identities in Marine protected areas: the case of Saltstraumen (Småforskmidler FSV)
- Join us as a PhD Research Fellow in Social Science focusing on Resilience, Adaptation and Sustainable Strategies in Arctic Tourism. Apply now: PhD Research Fellow in Social Science (1-2 positions). Deadline: January 20, 2026. Location: Bodø, Norway.
Are you passionate about resilience, adaptation, and sustainable strategies in Arctic tourism? Nord University’s Faculty of Social Sciences in Bodø, Norway invites applications for 1–2 PhD Research Fellow positions affiliated with the Arctic research group.
What you’ll do:
Explore how tourism actors—businesses, authorities, communities—develop strategies to cope with environmental challenges and climate change in the Arctic. Your research will focus on local knowledge mobilization, governance practices, and citizen science as tools for resilience.
This is a unique opportunity to work in an international research environment with strong expertise in climate change, sustainable development, tourism, governance, and Indigenous issues.
- The group has launched a Special Issue on “Contemporary Methodologies and Approaches in Polar Social Sciences” in the Polar Journal (The Polar Journal | Journal | Taylor & Francis Online), edited by Julia Olsen, Carina Ren (Aalborg University) and Hanne Nielsen (University of Tasmania).
- Seminar april 2025: Social Sciences Highlighted as Key to Implementing One Health – ArcSolution
- Join us as a PhD Research Fellow in Social Science focusing on Resilience, Adaptation and Sustainable Strategies in Arctic Tourism. Apply now: PhD Research Fellow in Social Science (1-2 positions). Deadline: January 20, 2026. Location: Bodø, Norway.
