The Thematic Network (TN) on Geopolitics and Security is a joint network by the University of the Arctic and the Northern Research Forum (NRF). Its main aim is to examine and combine two focus areas — Studies on Geopolitics, and Security Studies — and, based on that, to draw up a holistic picture on Arctic geopolitics and Northern security in globalization, as well as to identify and analyze the major changes of them and their possible global effects. Another aim is to promote ’interdisciplinarity’, to implement the interplay between research and teaching, and the discussion between young and senior scholars, as well as to promote the interplay between science and politics, and that between scientific and traditional knowledge(s).
Thematic Network Members
82 Members
In 18 Countries
At 54 Institutions
The Thematic Network consists of an international group of members with diverse backgrounds and expertise, allowing to approach Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic in an interdisciplinary and holistic way.
TN Research Interests and Themes
The TN approaches the topic of Geopolitics holistically and includes aspects such as:
Correspondingly, the TN approaches Security Studies in a comprehensive way and includes aspects such as:
TN Main Goals and Means
The main goals of the TN are to promote interdisciplinary discourse as well as academic and policy-oriented dialogue of various stakeholders on the two focus areas Geopolitics and Security. The TN implements its goals by the means of:
Research
The TN makes initiatives for, as well as coordinates, supports, and runs international research projects on IR, Geopolitics, and Security studies.
The project “The Arctic – a region of strategies and policies. Avoiding a new Cold War” was carried out by the TN from 2012-2013. The project was funded by the Valdai Discussion Club. The final report can be downloaded from the Valdai Discussion Club website.
The currently ongoing “The Global Arctic” is an international expert network and research project. For more information visit www.globalarctic.org.
Publications
The TN regularly publishes academic books as well as an open access journal.
Since 2012 the TN annually publishes the open access journal The Arctic Yearbook.
In 2021, for the 30th anniversary of the Calotte Academy, the TN published selected articles of the Calotte Academy, consisting of 54 scholarly articles from the annual academies in 1991-2019, and the Academy’s (first time) written history. The book can be downloaded from here.
Heininen, L. & Huotari, J. (eds.). (2021). Selected Articles of Calotte Academy – A travelling northern symposium on science and politics. Thematic Network on Geopolitics and Security, Rovaniemi, Finland: Lapland University Press. ISBN: 978-952-62-3168-6.
In 2019 the TN published "The GlobalArctic Handbook" at Springer.
Dialogue
The TN organizes panels at international conferences, doctoral schools as well as their own workshops and brainstorming meetings back-to-back to international conferences.
The TN regularly organizes panels on Security in the Arctic at the annual Arctic Circle Assembly (in Reykjavik, Iceland).
The TN co-organizes the annual international traveling symposium and doctoral school Calotte Academy.
Latest News
The Calotte Academy 2024 which was originally scheduled for June had to be postponed. It will take place 11-17 November 2024 under the overarching theme "Environmental Security vs Military Security."
Background information on the termination of the Emeritus Professor contract of Lassi Heininen by the University of Lapland.
The Calotte Academy 2024, with the title Environmental Security vs Military Security, is planned to take place in 8-16 June 2023 in Sapmi, the European Arctic. Its sessions and excursions are (tentatively) planned to be organized in Kiruna & Luleå / Boden, Kautokeino & Kirkenes, and Rovaniemi & Sodankylä & Inari.
The Arctic Yearbook is calling for abstracts for its 2023 volume. The Arctic Yearbook is an international and peer-reviewed volume which focuses on issues of regional governance, development, environmental politics, circumpolar relations, geopolitics and security, all broadly defined. It is an open access, online publication.
