Thinking Ahead with SEI and KTH: Arctic Futures - past and present, 1 june 2016

This seminar features presentations about several on-going projects on Arctic change at KTH and SEI along with a new Nordic Centre of Excellence. The aim is to set the stage for a discussion about future research directions and long-term capacity building for Swedish polar research, with a focus on the role of social sciences and humanities. Rapid environmental and social change in the Arctic has spurred intensive discussions about the region’s future. How can society navigate expected and unexpected changes? What new demands are placed on governance? What role does economic development play as threat or opportunity?

Rapid environmental and social change in the Arctic has spurred intensive discussions about the region’s future. How can society navigate expected and unexpected changes? What new demands are placed on governance? What role does economic development play as threat or opportunity? Concern for the future(s) of the Arctic is not new – therefore historical experiences have the potential to bring depth and nuance to both research and politics.

Part Six Arctic Futures – Past and Presen

Time: June 1, 10:00-12:00, (Coffee served from 9:30)

Place: SEI, Stockholm Environment Institute, Linnégatan 87D
( Google Maps )

Contact: Anna Löfdahl, anna.lofdahl@sei-international.org

Program

Moderator: Annika Nilsson, Senior Research Fellow, SEI and Claudia Strambo, Research Associate SEI

9:30-10:00 Drop-in coffee mingle

10.00-10.10 Welcome and introduction to Arctic work at SEI and KTH. Annika E Nilsson, Senior Research Fellow,SEI

10:00-11:00 Theme 1: Assessing Arctic change

Arctic Resilience Assessment – a sneak preview. Marcus Carson, Senior Research Fellow, SEI
Arctic resources: Futures in the past and present. Dag Avango, Researcher, KTH
Future narratives for adaptation action. Annika E Nilsson , Senior Research Fellow, SEI

Discussion: What do the humanities bring to studies of Arctic change?

11:00-12:00 Theme 2: The Context of Polar politics

Geopolitics and research priorities — past and present. Peder Roberts, Researcher, KTH
Scalar politics and media power. Miyase Christensen, Guest Professor,KTH
Impact assessments in over-claimed landscapes. Rasmus Kløcker Larsen, Research Fellow SEI
Resource Extraction and Sustainable Arctic Communities: A new Nordic Center of Excellence. Sverker Sörlin, Professor, KTH and Ninis Rosqvist, Professor, Stockholm University

Discussion: What research capacities are needed for understanding and navigating change?

Thinking Ahead with SEI and KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) have strengthened their ties through a cooperation agreement for environment and development research. The extended partnership reinforces collaboration between the partners in strategic areas, such as international energy and water issues, climate research, policy analysis, and international governance. The partners also aim to share research insights with business leaders, policy-makers and scientists in Sweden and around the world.

As part of the renewed partnership, KTH and SEI are organizing an interactive seminar series which offers participants an area to discuss themes such as future scenarios and sustainable consumption, and the possibility to find future collaborations. "ARtic Futures" is the sixth seminar in the series.

Welcome!