Publikationer

Research | Forskning - peer review

New approaches to microbiology education are needed to ensure equitable representation in microbiology and to build literacy in microbiology and science broadly. To address this goal, we developed a course held at the collegiate level that uniquely integrated microbiology, Indigenous studies, scienc… New approaches to microbiology education are needed to ensure equitable representation in microbiology and to build literacy in microbiology and science broadly. To address this goal, we developed a course held at the collegiate level that uniquely integrated microbiology, Indigenous studies, science and technology studies, and arts and performance. The course participants included students in 12 majors across science, engineering, humanities, and arts. The different disciplines of the course intersected around Inuit fermented foods as the basis for discussions on fundamental microbiological principles, the scientific method, food sovereignty, and Indigenous peoples’ rights. A diverse array of activities was included, ranging from lectures in microbiology and fermentation, a sauerkraut-making lab, a walk through the Native American contemplative garden, a workshop on Inuit drum making and dance, as well as a performance by Inuit-soul group Pamyua. We propose that a radically interdisciplinary approach and a human rights framework in microbiology education can be a way to enhance microbiology and science literacy for a diverse group of students. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland's abundant renewable energy resources position it as a potential producer of green hydrogen, a promising energy carrier for global decarbonization efforts. This research aims to evaluate the economic feasibility of hydrogen transportation in Greenland, focusing on compressed gas via pipeli… Greenland's abundant renewable energy resources position it as a potential producer of green hydrogen, a promising energy carrier for global decarbonization efforts. This research aims to evaluate the economic feasibility of hydrogen transportation in Greenland, focusing on compressed gas via pipelines and liquefied hydrogen via maritime routes. The study employs a comprehensive methodology that includes economic analysis of production, liquefaction, and transportation costs. This approach integrates a wide range of methods available in the literature and considers various components of the hydrogen supply chain, going beyond the typical focus on transportation strategies alone. Results indicate that pipelines are more cost-effective for shorter distances (<1,500 km) and higher demand, whereas shipping is better suited for longer distances and larger volumes. A case study of transporting hydrogen from Paamuit to Nuuk revealed that for a production capacity of 40 t/d, the cost of pipeline transport was 1.3 USD/kg, whereas for shipping it was 2.7 USD/kg. These findings contribute significantly to the development of a hydrogen economy and highlight Greenland's potential as a competitive player in the global green hydrogen market. The research provides valuable insights for decision-makers in planning efficient and economical hydrogen transportation strategies. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

DR har med afpubliceringen af 'Grønlands hvide guld' ikke blot svækket pressefriheden, men også beskadiget Danmarks forhold til Grønland – et forhold, der ellers var begyndt at udvikle sig i en mere konstruktiv retning, skriver Ebbe Volquardsen.

Communication | Formidling

Greenland, Denmark & America - a triangular relation that augurs benefits for Greenlanders. If that's the case, then... What do Greenlanders think of Mr. Trump's ideas for their island? What do Greenland's indigenous peoples & environmentalists think of America? Why did Denmark change Gree… Greenland, Denmark & America - a triangular relation that augurs benefits for Greenlanders. If that's the case, then... What do Greenlanders think of Mr. Trump's ideas for their island? What do Greenland's indigenous peoples & environmentalists think of America? Why did Denmark change Greenland's status from colony to province? Can Greenland survive economically as an independent nation? What is it like to live in Greenland? How do Greenlanders travel in Greenland? Who are Greenlanders anyway? Finally, is Greenland really that big? Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Greenland has found itself at the center of international attention, with renewed U.S. interest, shifting power dynamics with Denmark, and a growing push for independence. Associate Professor Ebbe Volquardsen from the University of Greenland unpacks the complexities of Greenland’s evolving political… Greenland has found itself at the center of international attention, with renewed U.S. interest, shifting power dynamics with Denmark, and a growing push for independence. Associate Professor Ebbe Volquardsen from the University of Greenland unpacks the complexities of Greenland’s evolving political landscape and discusses Greenland’s strategic future amid U.S. tensions and Denmark’s stance. What lies ahead for this Arctic nation? Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

The Kialaaq Drop-in Centre in Qaqortoq was established as a significant municipal initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable adults, including the homeless. Despite initial enthusiasm and governmental financial backing, the centre has frequently been inaccessible due to repeated closures, staffing is… The Kialaaq Drop-in Centre in Qaqortoq was established as a significant municipal initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable adults, including the homeless. Despite initial enthusiasm and governmental financial backing, the centre has frequently been inaccessible due to repeated closures, staffing issues, and inadequate planning. Problems were compounded by improper recruitment practices, insufficient staff training, unclear user guidelines, and safety concerns. These organisational shortcomings highlight systemic management deficiencies within the municipality. The case underlines the necessity for comprehensive planning, clear operational strategies, and qualified personnel in social service delivery, emphasising that effective social work requires meticulous preparation and structured implementation. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

The Kialaaq Drop-in Centre in Qaqortoq was established as a significant municipal initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable adults, including the homeless. Despite initial enthusiasm and governmental financial backing, the centre has frequently been inaccessible due to repeated closures, staffing is… The Kialaaq Drop-in Centre in Qaqortoq was established as a significant municipal initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable adults, including the homeless. Despite initial enthusiasm and governmental financial backing, the centre has frequently been inaccessible due to repeated closures, staffing issues, and inadequate planning. Problems were compounded by improper recruitment practices, insufficient staff training, unclear user guidelines, and safety concerns. These organisational shortcomings highlight systemic management deficiencies within the municipality. The case underlines the necessity for comprehensive planning, clear operational strategies, and qualified personnel in social service delivery, emphasising that effective social work requires meticulous preparation and structured implementation. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

‘Mushy halibut syndrome’ (MHS) affects the quality of Greenland halibut fillets. Fillets affected by MHS are jelly-like and turn mushy when cooked. Different severities of MHS occur in commercial catches, and cause food wastage and economic losses due to a lack of detection tools. In this study, we… ‘Mushy halibut syndrome’ (MHS) affects the quality of Greenland halibut fillets. Fillets affected by MHS are jelly-like and turn mushy when cooked. Different severities of MHS occur in commercial catches, and cause food wastage and economic losses due to a lack of detection tools. In this study, we combined sensory evaluation, microscopy and chemical analysis to characterize and grade MHS in Greenland halibut fillets, and assessed hyperspectral imaging (HSI) as a non-invasive detection method. Fillets (n = 100) were sampled and sorted into five categories based on assessment of MHS severity using a sensory MHS grading system. Twenty fillets were assigned to each category. Fillets underwent HSI analysis (n = 100), chemical analysis (n = 40) and microscopy (n = 25). Microscopy revealed myofiber degeneration progressing with MHS severity. Average dry matter and oil content for normal fillets were 26.6%, and 10.4%, respectively, compared to 14.6% and 2.0% for fillets severely affected by MHS. The sensory evaluations demonstrated good consensus on MHS criteria but highlighted the challenges of relying on limited manual detection. Two hyperspectral models were tested: one model estimated chemical composition of fillets, while the other predicted the fillet area affected by MHS. Both showed high accuracy for detecting and grading MHS. Future work should involve larger data sets and sensory panels, fewer MHS categories and commercially relevant threshold values for dry matter and oil content. Effective grading of MHS-products could contribute to optimized utilization, development of new side-streams and reduced wastage in the fisheries. Læs mere

Teaching | Undervisning - peer review

I dette kapitel illustreres overgangsproblematikker i sygeplejerskeuddannelsen med sygeplejestuderendes transition til nyuddannede sygeplejerske. Det er nemlig en særdeles overvældende periode, hvor nyuddannede sygeplejersker oplever realitetschok med stress, udbrændthed og skyld, fordi de ikke selv… I dette kapitel illustreres overgangsproblematikker i sygeplejerskeuddannelsen med sygeplejestuderendes transition til nyuddannede sygeplejerske. Det er nemlig en særdeles overvældende periode, hvor nyuddannede sygeplejersker oplever realitetschok med stress, udbrændthed og skyld, fordi de ikke selv synes, at de magter at håndtere det fulde ansvar for patientplejen, selvom de netop har overstået en sygeplejerskeuddannelse. Indledningsvist defineres kapitlets centrale begreber efterfulgt af en redegørelse for transitionsteorier og et institutionelt etnografisk (IE) ståsted til undersøgelse af nyuddannede sygeplejerskers oplevelser. Med IE flyttes blikket fra det individuelle perspektiv til det institutionelle for at vise, at følelsesmæssige og kropslige oplevelser skabes af turbulente arbejdsbetingelser på medicinske afsnit med akut syge patienter og personalemangel. Det anbefales afslutningsvis at betragte travlhed, fordeling af ansvar, introduktion af nyuddannede sygeplejersker som et fælles anliggende. Sygehusafsnit med “robuste fællesskaber” har nemlig mest succes med at fastholde personale som nyuddannede sygeplejersker, der i stigende grad forlader faget. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Fredag 15. marts åbner Europa-Kommissionen sit længe ventede kontor i Nuuk. Men på trods af EU's vigtighed for Grønland spiller EU en relativt afdæmpet rolle i Grønlands nye udenrigspolitiske strategi.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Arctic Indigenous Peoples have, through their own persistence, advanced the development of the Western European legal norms in a system that once facilitated their colonisation. The fiftieth anniversary of the Arctic Peoples’ Conference took place in 2023. The occasion was marked with another Confer… Arctic Indigenous Peoples have, through their own persistence, advanced the development of the Western European legal norms in a system that once facilitated their colonisation. The fiftieth anniversary of the Arctic Peoples’ Conference took place in 2023. The occasion was marked with another Conference, this time in Ilulissat, Greenland. It was a moment to reflect on the achievements of Arctic Indigenous Peoples, to build upon the 1973 resolutions and to address contemporary challenges. The resultant Joint Statement addresses the need for enhanced engagement in the forums of international law, intergenerational justice, intersecting rights to wellbeing, land, water and natural resources, and to address the risks posed by climate change and colonialism. Læs mere

Teaching | Undervisning

Greenlandic art and history are closely intertwined and have influenced each other throughout the ages. Studying the art of a particular period or artist can provide valuable insights into the historical context, cultural values, and social dynamics of that time. Similarly, understanding historical… Greenlandic art and history are closely intertwined and have influenced each other throughout the ages. Studying the art of a particular period or artist can provide valuable insights into the historical context, cultural values, and social dynamics of that time. Similarly, understanding historical events can deepen our appreciation and interpretation of artworks created during those periods. This sample syllabus was taught in 2023, with the aim to explore the interconnectedness of art and history through the works of Kalaaleq (Greenlandic Inuit) artists. Students learned about a range of approaches that link historical research with art. The topics were selected by students using a method called “creating collaborative syllabus” at the beginning of the course (usually during the first week). The syllabus is a first step to use art and creative praxis as part of history teaching at Ilisimatusarfik, but may also be used as a starting point when teaching about Greenlandic art and history at other institutions. Feel free to adapt it as you wish! Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article compares the self-government system in Greenland in Denmark and territorial governance in Nunavut, Canada in relation to the management of natural resources through the perspective of historical institutionalism. Both territories have undergone processes of re-empowerment, and possess m… This article compares the self-government system in Greenland in Denmark and territorial governance in Nunavut, Canada in relation to the management of natural resources through the perspective of historical institutionalism. Both territories have undergone processes of re-empowerment, and possess major assets of natural resources, and the struggle for self-determination has triggered their metropolitan states (Denmark and Canada) and regional governments to consider some form of self-government. However, two different solutions have appeared due to gradual development through path dependency as legislation and form of government. Nunavut is a territory within the Canadian federal construction, based on Indigenous claims, while Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Danish unitary state. The land claims in Canada have given Nunavut some influence in the management of its natural resources, while Greenland has taken control of its subterranean resources through extended self-government implemented in 2009. This article will highlight the resource policy similarities and differences of the two territories via three potential explanatory factors: historical background, self-government, and the management of natural resources as a point of departure. The findings show that both regions have similarities in historical background and the management of natural resources, but there are also significant differences in how local authorities have addressed mining projects. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

As a political focal point, the Pituffik Space Base (“Pituffik”) has played a decisive role in deepening relations between Greenland and the United States. To shed light upon these relations, both between the two internally and with regard to Denmark, this article analyses the 2020 negotiations rega… As a political focal point, the Pituffik Space Base (“Pituffik”) has played a decisive role in deepening relations between Greenland and the United States. To shed light upon these relations, both between the two internally and with regard to Denmark, this article analyses the 2020 negotiations regarding Pituffik and the positions of the three parties in both the final agreement and the process of negotiation. The theoretical framework of the analysis is an interlocked two-level game analysis following Putnam (1988); the study is based upon 12 interviews with key figures, media coverage, and on the negotiated agreements themselves. The article argues that Greenland and the United States, although being an odd couple as a small state-like self-governing nation and a global superpower, conducted a new, interlocking two-level game, reaching win-sets and common interests while changing the way the parties negotiate and sign agreements. Thus, the article concludes that the 2020 negotiations about the base inaugurate a change in the overall relationship by positioning Greenland in a new and more direct relationship with the United States. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In this article, we present the history of social work education in Greenland, from a professional training school in 1985 to a university BA-level education in 2008 and onwards to the present day. Mainly, we discuss how the education of Greenlandic social workers continually reflects on the decolon… In this article, we present the history of social work education in Greenland, from a professional training school in 1985 to a university BA-level education in 2008 and onwards to the present day. Mainly, we discuss how the education of Greenlandic social workers continually reflects on the decolonising elements of the curriculum. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabil… In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabilities. The survey ‘Holdninger til Handicap’ (attitudes towards disabilities), which was carried out by Tilioq (the spokesperson institution for people with disabilities) and Ilisimatusarfik Centre for Arctic Welfare, included almost 1,000 responses. Respondents had a more positive view of people with physical disabilities than those with mental disabilities. Furthermore, the survey highlights a prejudice among respondents in relation to dating or having intimate relationships with a person with a disability or mental disability. Despite the respondents’ divided view of having an intimate relationship with people with disabilities, there was more openness to accepting people with a physical disability in a position of power (e.g. politicians or managers). However, the respondents were not willing to accept people with mental disabilities in positions of power. The study in Greenland is the first to explore barriers and attitudes towards people with disabilities in non-intimate and intimate social relationships and power relationships. The study provided knowledge to support decision-makers and NGOs in informing society in general about physical and mental disabilities and the rights of disabled people in Greenland in relation to empowerment and further inclusion. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabil… In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabilities. The survey ‘Holdninger til Handicap’ (attitudes towards disabilities), which was carried out by Tilioq (the spokesperson institution for people with disabilities) and Ilisimatusarfik Centre for Arctic Welfare, included almost 1,000 responses. Respondents had a more positive view of people with physical disabilities than those with mental disabilities. Furthermore, the survey highlights a prejudice among respondents in relation to dating or having intimate relationships with a person with a disability or mental disability. Despite the respondents’ divided view of having an intimate relationship with people with disabilities, there was more openness to accepting people with a physical disability in a position of power (e.g. politicians or managers). However, the respondents were not willing to accept people with mental disabilities in positions of power. The study in Greenland is the first to explore barriers and attitudes towards people with disabilities in non-intimate and intimate social relationships and power relationships. The study provided knowledge to support decision-makers and NGOs in informing society in general about physical and mental disabilities and the rights of disabled people in Greenland in relation to empowerment and further inclusion. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

I denne artikel præsenteres udfordringer og visioner for sygeplejerskeuddannelsen i Grønland. På sygeplejerskeuddannelsen ved Ilisimatusarfik, Grønlands Universitet, arbejder vi med et aktionsforskningsprojekt, der skal forbedre sygeplejerskeuddannelsen, så den i højere grad er tilpasset grønlandske… I denne artikel præsenteres udfordringer og visioner for sygeplejerskeuddannelsen i Grønland. På sygeplejerskeuddannelsen ved Ilisimatusarfik, Grønlands Universitet, arbejder vi med et aktionsforskningsprojekt, der skal forbedre sygeplejerskeuddannelsen, så den i højere grad er tilpasset grønlandske forhold. Vi vil her præsentere de foreløbige resultater fra første del af projektet, der omhandler beskrivelse af den eksisterende sygeplejepraksis. Vi kan allerede konkludere, at den fremtidige indsats mod udviklingen af en implementerbar sygeplejerskeuddannelse, der er tilpasset grønlandske forhold, skal fokusere på mere end blot det faglige. Der skal formentligt også udvikles aktiviteter, der fremmer trivsel og forbereder de studerende på de følelsesmæssige udfordringer, der ved at være ansvarlig for sygeplejen i mindre byer og bygder, hvor der måske ikke engang er en læge til stede. Læs mere

Consultancy | Rådgivning

Evaluering af den decentrale læreruddannelse, 2023-24. Inspiration til at anvende fjernuddannelse på Ilisimatusarfik.

Research | Forskning - peer review

On 14 June 2022, an agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark, together with Greenland, resolved the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Hans Island (which is known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) by creating a land boundary.

Research | Forskning - peer review

In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of… In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of Denmark had to delay their common strategy (or, policy) for the entire realm until the Greenlandic strategy was published, while other Arctic states have been curious on the priorities of the strategy. In this briefing note, we outline the historical and (geo)political context of the strategy. We then move on to discuss some of the main items of the strategy by emphasizing the relative of weight of certain areas over others (US and North American Arctic over EU and Denmark), security and defense policy, and climate policy, and, thirdly, sketch out the implications of these priorities for Greenland’s (geo)political aspirations and diplomatic relations. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal of t… Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal of the Greenlandic government’s homelessness strategy is the establishment of street units to build trust and provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness. However, institutional challenges, including bureaucratic processes and limited resources, hinder the effectiveness of such efforts. A lack of outreach work often leads to feelings of dehumanization among marginalized individuals, exacerbating stress, depression, and mistrust toward public systems. The article emphasizes that outreach social work is crucial for re-establishing trust and supporting individuals out of homelessness. Recommendations include implementing the Housing First approach, tailoring shelters to specific groups, and focusing on reintegration and education for youth. Municipalities are urged to prioritize trust-building practices and adopt inclusive, human-centered strategies to combat homelessness. The authors highlight these themes in upcoming training modules on street-level and shelter-based outreach, which Ilisimatusarfik will offer for free in 2025-2026. The training aims to equip practitioners with tools for proactive, trust-based outreach work as part of the Greenlandic government’s broader homelessness strategy. Abstract in Danish Opsøgende arbejde fokuserer på mennesket bag hjemløsheden Af Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd Denne artikel undersøger, hvordan kommunerne kan forbedre opsøgende socialt arbejde med fokus på hjemløshed i Grønland. Et centralt mål i Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi er etablering af gadeenheder for at skabe tillid og støtte til mennesker i hjemløshed. Dog står offentlige institutioner overfor udfordringer som bureaukrati og manglende ressourcer, hvilket begrænser indsatsen. Manglende opsøgende arbejde kan føre til, at udsatte borgere føler sig dehumaniserede, hvilket forstærker stress, depression og mistillid til systemet. Artiklen understreger, at opsøgende socialt arbejde er afgørende for at genskabe tillid og hjælpe borgere ud af hjemløshed. Anbefalingerne inkluderer anvendelse af Housing First-metoden, tilpasning af herberger til specifikke målgrupper og fokus på reintegration og uddannelse af unge. Kommuner opfordres til at prioritere tillidsopbyggende praksisser og implementere inkluderende, menneskecentrerede strategier for at bekæmpe hjemløshed. Forfatterne fremhæver disse temaer i kommende kursusmoduler om gadeplan- og herbergsarbejde, som Ilisimatusarfik tilbyder gratis i 2025-2026. Kurset sigter mod at ruste praktikere til proaktivt og tillidsbaseret opsøgende arbejde som en del af Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Abstract The article "Homelessness in Qaqortoq: Grassroots Help Amidst Municipal Apathy" examines the pressing issue of homelessness in Qaqortoq, Southern Greenland. Drawing from ethnographic research, it highlights the systemic challenges faced by the Kujalleq Municipality, including limited resou… Abstract The article "Homelessness in Qaqortoq: Grassroots Help Amidst Municipal Apathy" examines the pressing issue of homelessness in Qaqortoq, Southern Greenland. Drawing from ethnographic research, it highlights the systemic challenges faced by the Kujalleq Municipality, including limited resources and insufficient housing, alongside the remarkable grassroots efforts of local citizens who fill the gaps in the welfare system. The chronicle sheds light on the broader context of homelessness in Greenland, comparing it to similar issues in remote regions like Nunavut, Canada. It emphasizes the need for sustainable, long-term solutions such as legal reforms, structured support systems, and affordable housing initiatives. The article also critiques the municipality’s limited capacity to address homelessness while acknowledging the recent promise of a day shelter in Qaqortoq as a small but important step forward. Resumé Artiklen "Hjemløshed i Qaqortoq: Hjælp fra Græsrødder midt i Kommunal Apati" undersøger den presserende problematik omkring hjemløshed i Qaqortoq i det sydlige Grønland. Baseret på etnografisk forskning fremhæves Kujalleq Kommunes systemiske udfordringer, herunder begrænsede ressourcer og manglende boliger, samtidig med de bemærkelsesværdige græsrodsindsatser fra lokale borgere, der udfylder hullerne i velfærdssystemet. Kronikken belyser den bredere kontekst for hjemløshed i Grønland og sammenligner med lignende problematikker i fjerntliggende regioner som Nunavut, Canada. Den understreger behovet for bæredygtige, langsigtede løsninger såsom lovgivningsreformer, strukturerede støttesystemer og billige boligløsninger. Artiklen kritiserer kommunens begrænsede kapacitet til at håndtere hjemløshed, men anerkender samtidig det nyligt annoncerede værested i Qaqortoq som et lille, men vigtigt skridt fremad. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal… Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal of the Greenlandic government’s homelessness strategy is the establishment of street units to build trust and provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness. However, institutional challenges, including bureaucratic processes and limited resources, hinder the effectiveness of such efforts. A lack of outreach work often leads to feelings of dehumanization among marginalized individuals, exacerbating stress, depression, and mistrust toward public systems. The article emphasizes that outreach social work is crucial for re-establishing trust and supporting individuals out of homelessness. Recommendations include implementing the Housing First approach, tailoring shelters to specific groups, and focusing on reintegration and education for youth. Municipalities are urged to prioritize trust-building practices and adopt inclusive, human-centered strategies to combat homelessness. The authors highlight these themes in upcoming training modules on street-level and shelter-based outreach, which Ilisimatusarfik will offer for free in 2025-2026. The training aims to equip practitioners with tools for proactive, trust-based outreach work as part of the Greenlandic government’s broader homelessness strategy. Abstract in Danish Opsøgende arbejde fokuserer på mennesket bag hjemløsheden Af Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd Denne artikel undersøger, hvordan kommunerne kan forbedre opsøgende socialt arbejde med fokus på hjemløshed i Grønland. Et centralt mål i Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi er etablering af gadeenheder for at skabe tillid og støtte til mennesker i hjemløshed. Dog står offentlige institutioner overfor udfordringer som bureaukrati og manglende ressourcer, hvilket begrænser indsatsen. Manglende opsøgende arbejde kan føre til, at udsatte borgere føler sig dehumaniserede, hvilket forstærker stress, depression og mistillid til systemet. Artiklen understreger, at opsøgende socialt arbejde er afgørende for at genskabe tillid og hjælpe borgere ud af hjemløshed. Anbefalingerne inkluderer anvendelse af Housing First-metoden, tilpasning af herberger til specifikke målgrupper og fokus på reintegration og uddannelse af unge. Kommuner opfordres til at prioritere tillidsopbyggende praksisser og implementere inkluderende, menneskecentrerede strategier for at bekæmpe hjemløshed. Forfatterne fremhæver disse temaer i kommende kursusmoduler om gadeplan- og herbergsarbejde, som Ilisimatusarfik tilbyder gratis i 2025-2026. Kurset sigter mod at ruste praktikere til proaktivt og tillidsbaseret opsøgende arbejde som en del af Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Evalueringsrapporten fokuserer på implementering af motivationsprogrammet Inussuk for seksualdømte indsatte i Anstalten i Nuuk. De to centrale omdrejningspunkter er: 1. Etablering af motivations- og behandlingspladser i Anstalten i Nuuk 2. Programindsatsen for de dømte Formålet med evalueringen e… Evalueringsrapporten fokuserer på implementering af motivationsprogrammet Inussuk for seksualdømte indsatte i Anstalten i Nuuk. De to centrale omdrejningspunkter er: 1. Etablering af motivations- og behandlingspladser i Anstalten i Nuuk 2. Programindsatsen for de dømte Formålet med evalueringen er at indsamle og systematisere erfaringer fra opstartsfasen i Anstalten i Nuuk med etablering af behandlingspladser, oplæring af instruktører og tilførsel af personaleressourcer til programmet. Endvidere indsamles og sammenfattes erfaringer, som såvel anstaltens medarbejdere som indsatte har gjort sig i den første tid. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

Denne rapport undersøger, med udgangspunkt i 107 facebookgrupper og -sider fra grønlandske medier, politikere og diskussionsfora, hvorvidt og i hvor høj grad, der findes påvirkningskampagner på Facebook i Grønland. Vi ved nemlig meget lidt om omfanget af desinformation i Grønland, og denne rapport e… Denne rapport undersøger, med udgangspunkt i 107 facebookgrupper og -sider fra grønlandske medier, politikere og diskussionsfora, hvorvidt og i hvor høj grad, der findes påvirkningskampagner på Facebook i Grønland. Vi ved nemlig meget lidt om omfanget af desinformation i Grønland, og denne rapport er den første større empiriske dataindsamling, der undersøger dette. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

This article is a Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic) translation summarizing a longer English article originally published in 2023, in the History Education Research Journal published by University College London Press: https://doi.org/10.14324/HERJ.20.1.04 Eqikkaaneq Ilisimatusartut ilinniartitsi… This article is a Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic) translation summarizing a longer English article originally published in 2023, in the History Education Research Journal published by University College London Press: https://doi.org/10.14324/HERJ.20.1.04 Eqikkaaneq Ilisimatusartut ilinniartitsisullu nunaqavissut avataaneersullu ilarpassuisa nunat killiit avataanniittut ilisimasaat oqaluttuarisaanerallu pingaarnertut ilisimatusarfigineqartunut ilinniagarineqartunullu naleqqiullugit sammineqannginnerusarlutillu atorumaneqannginnerusarnerat qangalili isornartorsiortarsimavaat. Oqaluttuarisaaneq pillugu ilinniartitsinerup ajornartorsiummut tamatumunnga qanoq aaqqiissutaaqataasinnaanera misissuiviginiarlugu allaaserisami matumani ilisimatusartut Issittumi naqavissuusut aallaavigineqarput. Qanga pisimasut pillugit qanoq ilisimasaqartoqartigineranut nunasiaataanerup sunniutaanik ilisimatuutut siornatigut misissorneqarsimasunik atorluaanikkut allaaserisami matumani siunnersuutigineqarpoq UNESCO-p Piujuartitsilluni Ineriartortitsineq pillugu Ilinniartitsinermut (ESD) tunngavissiaa nutaaq 2021-mi maajimi saqqummiunneqartoq aallaavigineqassasoq. Allaaserisaq naggaserlugu nunap inuii sammisatut ilisimatusarfiginagit nunap inuiisa ilisimatusarfigisaannit ilinniarfiginninnissap pingaaruteqassusia erseqqissarneqarpoq. Ilisimatusartullu nunaqavissut ilisimasanik assigiinngitsunik aallerfigisinnaasanut naapertuilluartumik naligiissumillu pullaveqarnissatsinnut taakkuninngalu atorluaanissatsinnut iluaqutigisinnaasatsinnik pingaarutilinnik periusissiorsimanerat erseqqissarneqarpoq. Abstract: Many Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and educators have long criticized how non-Western knowledge and histories are actively discriminated against in mainstream research and education. This article foregrounds Indigenous scholarship from the Arctic region to explore how history education can contribute to addressing this issue. By drawing on previous research on the colonial impact on knowledge about the past, the article proposes a shift in perspective in light of the new UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework introduced in May 2021. The article concludes by pointing out the value of learning from Indigenous scholarship rather than only studying it as a separate subject. This is because Indigenous scholars have created important approaches that can help us achieve fair and equitable access to, and benefit from, different knowledge resources and systems. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in… The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in doing so negotiate pressing environmental, (geo)political, and social concerns. From the plasmatic force of ice in Disney's Frozen films to the spatial vocabulary of circumpolar Indigenous hip hop, it addresses Arctic geographical imaginaries in a wide range of media, including literature, cinema, comic books, music videos, and cartographic art. The book brings together a plurality of voices from within and outside the circumpolar North, both in terms of the works analysed and in its own collaborative scholarly practice. The book bridges Indigenous and Southern mediations of the Arctic and combines different epistemologies to do justice to these imaginaries in their diversity. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in… The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in doing so negotiate pressing environmental, (geo)political, and social concerns. From the plasmatic force of ice in Disney's Frozen films to the spatial vocabulary of circumpolar Indigenous hip hop, it addresses Arctic geographical imaginaries in a wide range of media, including literature, cinema, comic books, music videos, and cartographic art. The book brings together a plurality of voices from within and outside the circumpolar North, both in terms of the works analysed and in its own collaborative scholarly practice. The book bridges Indigenous and Southern mediations of the Arctic and combines different epistemologies to do justice to these imaginaries in their diversity. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article explores the legal arguments and historic claims regarding the return of archives to the Peoples in the Arctic about whom they pertain. It calls for international lawyers to work with archival theorists and practitioners to explore the law of decolonisation and its potential application… This article explores the legal arguments and historic claims regarding the return of archives to the Peoples in the Arctic about whom they pertain. It calls for international lawyers to work with archival theorists and practitioners to explore the law of decolonisation and its potential application to cases of displaced archives in the Arctic. Peoples in the Arctic who have experienced colonisation have outstanding claims – some formalised, others latent – to return of records compiled by colonial authorities about them. Their claims differ in important ways from historic precedents from other parts of the world, in particular, those of newly independent States. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This is the second and final report in the research project “Sustainable value chains in Nordic coastal communities (NorValue)”. The project was carried out in the period 2020-2023 as a collaborative organization between six Nordic universities and research institutions: University of Greenland, Uni… This is the second and final report in the research project “Sustainable value chains in Nordic coastal communities (NorValue)”. The project was carried out in the period 2020-2023 as a collaborative organization between six Nordic universities and research institutions: University of Greenland, University of Akureyri, Icelandic Regional Development Institute, University of Faroe Islands, Nordland Research Institute, and Roskilde University. From these six institutions, both reports were written by the same team of researchers. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The consumption of prey intestines and their content, known as gastrophagy, is well-documented among Arctic Indigenous peoples, particularly Inuit. In Greenland, Inuit consume intestines from various animals, including the ptarmigan, a small herbivorous grouse bird. While gastrophagy provides the po… The consumption of prey intestines and their content, known as gastrophagy, is well-documented among Arctic Indigenous peoples, particularly Inuit. In Greenland, Inuit consume intestines from various animals, including the ptarmigan, a small herbivorous grouse bird. While gastrophagy provides the potential to transfer a large number of intestinal microorganisms from prey to predator, including to the human gut, its microbial implications remain to be investigated. This study addresses this gap by investigating the microbial composition of the Greenlandic rock ptarmigan’s gastrointestinal tract by analyzing the crop, stomach, and intestines while also comparing it with the microbiota found in garum, a fermented sauce made from ptarmigan meat and intestines. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we assessed whether garum made from ptarmigan intestines provides access to microbial diversity otherwise only accessible through gastrophagy. Our findings reveal that garum made from ptarmigan intestines displayed distinct flavors and microbial composition similar to that found in the ptarmigan gut and intestines, highlighting the potential role of fermented products in mediating food microbial diversity associated with Indigenous food practices. Furthermore, our study underscores the broader importance of understanding microbial diversity in different food systems, particularly in the context of shifting dietary patterns and concerns about diminishing food microbial diversity. By elucidating the microbial richness gained through gastrophagy this research contributes to a deeper understanding of traditional and Indigenous foodways and their implications for human gut health. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Contaminants, such as heavy metals (HMs), accumulate in the Arctic environment and the food web. The diet of the Indigenous Peoples of North Greenland includes locally sourced foods that are central to their nutritional, cultural, and societal health but these foods also contain high concentrations… Contaminants, such as heavy metals (HMs), accumulate in the Arctic environment and the food web. The diet of the Indigenous Peoples of North Greenland includes locally sourced foods that are central to their nutritional, cultural, and societal health but these foods also contain high concentrations of heavy metals. While bacteria play an essential role in the metabolism of xenobiotics, there are limited studies on the impact of heavy metals on the human gut microbiome, and it is so far unknown if and how Arctic environmental contaminants impact the gut microbes of humans living in and off the Arctic environment. Using a multiomics approach including amplicon, metagenome, and metatranscriptome sequencing, we identified and assembled a near-complete (NC) genome of a mercury-resistant bacterial strain from the human gut microbiome, which expressed genes known to reduce mercury toxicity. At the overall ecological level studied through α- and β-diversity, there was no significant effect of heavy metals on the gut microbiota. Through the assembly of a high number of NC metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of human gut microbes, we observed an almost complete overlap between heavy metal-resistant strains and antibiotic-resistant strains in which resistance genes were all located on the same genetic elements. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), a self-governing country within the Danish Realm with a majority Indigenous population, has one of the most far-reaching self-determination arrangements of all Indigenous peoples worldwide. A close look at the food system in Kalaallit Nunaat, however, reveals a situatio… Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), a self-governing country within the Danish Realm with a majority Indigenous population, has one of the most far-reaching self-determination arrangements of all Indigenous peoples worldwide. A close look at the food system in Kalaallit Nunaat, however, reveals a situation in which Indigenous foods are marginalized and imported foods are promoted even when incompatible with the local context. Here, I ask why Danish foods are so prevalent in Kalaallit Nunaat and argue that an unacknowledged factor in dietary transitions, well-known to be the cause of major public health issues, is a biased view of foodways that favors imported foods and questions Indigenous foods. The conclusion is that there is a lack of Indigenous food sovereignty in Kalaallit Nunaat such that Indigenous views of food and health are not prioritized in the public food system. The significance of this conclusion is that without Indigenous food sovereignty, Indigenous health, wellbeing and thriving cannot be achieved. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland is a self-governing part of the Danish realm with an institutional system in transition from colonisation to further independence. Greenlandic governance institutions currently represent a mix of Greenlandic and Danish governance systems rooted in the Danish constitution and a Scandinavian… Greenland is a self-governing part of the Danish realm with an institutional system in transition from colonisation to further independence. Greenlandic governance institutions currently represent a mix of Greenlandic and Danish governance systems rooted in the Danish constitution and a Scandinavian universal welfare model. Denmark and other Nordic countries with similar governance systems and welfare models have high levels of generalised trust strongly correlated with institutional trust. No research has however been carried out in Greenland regarding generalised or institutional trust and their correlates – a research gap which this article seeks to remedy. The study is based on data from the Greenland Perspectives survey of 2018 and finds that generalised trust in Greenland is significantly different from the Danish average and the levels of other Nordic countries. Institutional trust positively and significantly correlates with generalised trust in line with theories of institutional trust as a driver of generalised trust. Greenlandic identity is negatively correlated with generalised trust contrary to theories of identity and majority/minority dynamics. The correlations between generalised trust, institutional trust, and identity are surprisingly not confounded by education or income, contrary to success and well-being theories of generalised trust. The study concludes that institutions and identity clearly matter, but in a different way than theories predict. The results raise an important question for further research of how institutions and identity come to matter in Greenland – especially how institutional quality is created under the complex bureaucratic and social conditions of the post-colonial microstate. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Forskningsprojektet WAGE om ulighed i Arktis er et cirkumpolart partnerskab, der fokuserer på økonomiske og sociale uligheder i Arktis og i forskellige lande og regioner i Arktis – herunder Grønland. WAGE Partnerskabet er et partnerskab mellem de arktiske oprindelige folk – forskere såvel som medlem… Forskningsprojektet WAGE om ulighed i Arktis er et cirkumpolart partnerskab, der fokuserer på økonomiske og sociale uligheder i Arktis og i forskellige lande og regioner i Arktis – herunder Grønland. WAGE Partnerskabet er et partnerskab mellem de arktiske oprindelige folk – forskere såvel som medlemmer af oprindelige folks organisationer – andre forskere fra universiteter i og uden for Arktis samt repræsentanter for statslige organisationer. Samarbejdet udspringer af opfordringer fra Arktisk Råd og andre organisationer til stater om at tackle de uligheder, der især påvirker oprindelige folk, og iværksætte en grundlæggende forandring i fordelingen af den rigdom, der produceres i Arktis. WAGE er finansieret af SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canada) og er koordineret af Université Laval under ledelse af Professor Gerard Duhaime. WAGE er cirkumpolart, har det samme mål for og stiller de samme overordnede forskningsspørgsmål til hele den arktiske del af verden – men det er samtidig forskningsspørgsmål, der f.eks. kan stilles i forhold til forskellige sektorer i de arktiske samfund og til lokalsamfund og regioner såvel som lande i Arktis – f.eks. Grønland. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Kronikken (Del 2) belyser nogle konsekvenser af Forslag til fiskeriloven og påpeger, at konsekvenserne af forslaget rækker langt ud over regulering af fiskeriet og kan reducere mulighederne for indtjening og dermed livsgrundlaget i mange mindre byer og bygder. Forslaget har som afsæt at sikre et bær… Kronikken (Del 2) belyser nogle konsekvenser af Forslag til fiskeriloven og påpeger, at konsekvenserne af forslaget rækker langt ud over regulering af fiskeriet og kan reducere mulighederne for indtjening og dermed livsgrundlaget i mange mindre byer og bygder. Forslaget har som afsæt at sikre et bæredygtigt fiskeri i Grønland, men der er stor risiko for, at den ønskede effektivisering af det kystnære fiskeri betyder, at fortjenesten ved Grønlands fiskeressourcer ender på få hænder og formodentligt ikke i de berørte bosteder. Forslaget handler ikke kun om en effektiv regulering af fiskeriet, men vil påvirke hele samfundet og afgøre, hvor og hvordan man kan leve i fremtidens Grønland. (Del 1 - se Sermitsiaq 2023, 52) Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Mortuary archaeology and bioarchaeology increasingly recognize that the mortuary record indexes not only past societies’ understandings of death but also a wider set of experiences and practices bearing on an extended life course and ontology more broadly. The process of “being-toward-death,” the ex… Mortuary archaeology and bioarchaeology increasingly recognize that the mortuary record indexes not only past societies’ understandings of death but also a wider set of experiences and practices bearing on an extended life course and ontology more broadly. The process of “being-toward-death,” the experience of dying, a community’s participation in this process and subsequent handling of the corpse, the ongoing relations of the living with the material remains, the memory traces of the deceased in a burial cairn, and the local biologies illuminated by bioarchaeology, all constitute elements of a “necrontology” that was a core component of the culturally figured life course. Here the mortuary records from two parts of the Inuit world—northern Labrador and Southwest Greenland—are characterized in terms of their implications for such a necrontology of Inuit groups. While there appear to have been pan-regional patterns, idiosyncratic mortuary treatments also occur, warranting that archaeologists revisit, in appropriately community-sensitive ways, a record increasingly threatened by climate change. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling - peer review

This personal narrative highlights the journey of an Inuk archaeologist from Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), driven by a sense of responsibility and a desire for change within the discipline of Archaeology. The narrative traces the history of impact of Danish colonization and the challenges faced by I… This personal narrative highlights the journey of an Inuk archaeologist from Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), driven by a sense of responsibility and a desire for change within the discipline of Archaeology. The narrative traces the history of impact of Danish colonization and the challenges faced by Inuit, particularly in the education system. The author emphasizes the need for inclusivity and adjustment in the education system to support Inuit students. She reflects on the role and history of archaeology in Kalaallit Nunaat from the 19th century, shedding light on its colonial roots and the marginalization of Inuit perspectives and contributions, and emphasizes the need for a shift in the discipline to center Inuit voices and perspectives. Throughout the narrative, the author provides a personal and reflective account and discusses her journey to becoming an Inuk archaeologist, and the challenges she faced. In overall, the author presents the importance of community involvement in archaeological research and the responsibility of researchers to respect community needs and knowledge, and her commitment to promoting Inuit perspectives and self-determination in the fields of Education and Archaeology. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

The Arctic is directly affected by the interaction of two ongoing global crises: climate change and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. With its temperatures rising four times faster than the global average, the Arctic is facing dramatic environmental consequences. Meanwhile, retreating sea… The Arctic is directly affected by the interaction of two ongoing global crises: climate change and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. With its temperatures rising four times faster than the global average, the Arctic is facing dramatic environmental consequences. Meanwhile, retreating sea ice has led to increased economic interest in the Arctic and its growing geopolitical importance. Thus, understanding and managing the global and local implications of environmental change in this region requires urgent scientific and diplomatic collaboration. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Pausen i Arktisk Råd er umiddelbart den største politiske udfordring for Grønland, som har signaleret, at et Arktisk Råd uden Rusland er utænkeligt på sigt.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Der undersøges forholdet mellem Danmarks Radio og Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa ved samtidigheds-tv´s opstart i begyndelsen af 1980´erne.

Research | Forskning - peer review

The reflexivity of ethnography allows the curious stranger to connect personal experiences to the research question at play intimately. The curious stranger exposes the reader to observations that otherwise would not have come to light and provides first-hand accounts of the studied phenomena. Getti… The reflexivity of ethnography allows the curious stranger to connect personal experiences to the research question at play intimately. The curious stranger exposes the reader to observations that otherwise would not have come to light and provides first-hand accounts of the studied phenomena. Getting deeper data through reflexivity developed by the curious stranger can allow for more understanding of the topic to come to light. The curious stranger approach explores subject matter that would have remained in an unfamiliar setting using a more traditional research approach – a discussion often addressed within Arctic research. When discussing relevant Arctic research methodologies and ethics, the emphasis is on including indigenous knowledge (Arnfjord & Hovgaard, 2021; Denzin & Lincoln, 2014). The discussion often includes political positions and the discussion about how the research becomes relevant for the particular setting. The ethical discussion, and the relevance of research, are always present in our approach when entering the context - here formulated as being a curious stranger in an unfamiliar setting. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Funded by UArctic’s north2north program, we travelled from Nuuk, Greenland, to Anchorage, Alaska, in November 2022 to examine homelessness. In Nuuk, we are both involved in researching and working directly with vulnerable and homeless adults in a local outreach program in the form of a soup kitchen… Funded by UArctic’s north2north program, we travelled from Nuuk, Greenland, to Anchorage, Alaska, in November 2022 to examine homelessness. In Nuuk, we are both involved in researching and working directly with vulnerable and homeless adults in a local outreach program in the form of a soup kitchen. Over the previous decades, homelessness in Greenland and Alaska has increasingly become a cause of great concern amongst health and social care professionals. A forthcoming volume on Housing, Homelessness, and Social Policy in the Urban North from the University of Toronto Press focuses exclusively on this topic. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Artiklen tematiserer Grønlands nedsendelser af psykisk syge foranstaltningsdømte til Danmark som ved en Grønlandsk domstol er idømt anbringelse eller behandling i Danmark. Om end Grønland historisk har nedsendt mennesker med forskellige psykiske handicaps til institution og hospital i Danmark, er vi… Artiklen tematiserer Grønlands nedsendelser af psykisk syge foranstaltningsdømte til Danmark som ved en Grønlandsk domstol er idømt anbringelse eller behandling i Danmark. Om end Grønland historisk har nedsendt mennesker med forskellige psykiske handicaps til institution og hospital i Danmark, er viden om Grønlands nedsendelser af psykisk syge foranstaltningsdømte sparsom og mangelfuld. Dette er også aktuelt i forhold til Grønlands gældende retspraksis med nedsendelser af psykisk syge foranstaltningsdømte. Der eksisterer ikke registreringer eller statistiske oversigter eller andre oversigtslister i Grønland eller i Danmark over antallet af psykisk syge foranstaltningsdømte som det grønlandske retsvæsen idømmer anbringelse eller behandling i Danmark. Antallet af Grønlandske foranstaltningsdømte i Danmark, deres mentale tilstand og anbringelsessted er et ubelyst felt som vi med denne artikel kaster lys på. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

This Working Paper outlines some of the main arguments and debates regarding Free Association in a Greenlandic context, and what possibilities and unclarities these have generated.

Research | Forskning - peer review

The future of the Arctic region is dependent on several structural forces, the most important being climate change, but geopolitical dynamics are increasingly coming to the fore and institutional cooperation is currently hampered. The future of the region is also highly contested and subject to much… The future of the Arctic region is dependent on several structural forces, the most important being climate change, but geopolitical dynamics are increasingly coming to the fore and institutional cooperation is currently hampered. The future of the region is also highly contested and subject to much speculation, some predicting a race, a struggle or both simultaneously while others predict a more orderly and stable development. As a result, we decided to organise a survey asking Arctic experts their predictions about the likelihood of possible Arctic geopolitical developments. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland’s economy is predominantly reliant on its fishing industry. The continuous melt of the Greenland ice sheet due to climate change and the resultant environmental impact in the arctic is pressuring the fishing industry to adapt to a new environment. This chapter sheds light on how major stak… Greenland’s economy is predominantly reliant on its fishing industry. The continuous melt of the Greenland ice sheet due to climate change and the resultant environmental impact in the arctic is pressuring the fishing industry to adapt to a new environment. This chapter sheds light on how major stakeholders in the Greenlandic fishing industry envision environmental, economic, and social adaptation of fisheries and their overall supply chain operations. Using a qualitative methodology based on a series of semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders in the Greenlandic fishery, the chapter illustrates how the adaptive capacity of the industry has unfolded in recent years, and how it has begun to generate relevant adaptive capabilities. It explores how adaptive capacity in Greenland may facilitate a clearer path for the consolidation of sustainable supply chain management. The analysis ultimately seeks to understand how the Greenlandic fishing industry has perceived the integration of the international best practices incorporating the three pillars of sustainability to develop a sustainable supply chain management. The findings suggest that the maritime logistic operations of Greenland’s fisheries are slowly moving towards sustainability despite key trade-offs among stakeholders associated with the social dimension that involves the promotion of employment stability and the inclusion of local knowledge. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of patients with asthma in Greenland according to age, gender and residence and to investigate the associated quality of care. The study was performed as a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the Greenlandic electronical medical record. A t… The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of patients with asthma in Greenland according to age, gender and residence and to investigate the associated quality of care. The study was performed as a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the Greenlandic electronical medical record. A total of 870 patients aged 12 years or above were diagnosed with asthma at the end of 2022, corresponding to a prevalence of 1.9%. In 2020, the total prevalence was 0.2%. The prevalence of patients aged 12 years or above with asthma was highest among patients in Nuuk (3.3%) compared with patients in the remaining parts of Greenland (1.1%). More women than men were diagnosed with asthma, and the prevalence increased with age from 20 to 59 years. The prevalence of current smokers was high among the asthma population. The quality of care was significantly higher among patients living in Nuuk for all process indicators compared with patients from the remaining parts of Greenland. The prevalence of asthma in Greenland is low compared to other comparable populations and might be underestimated. Initiatives supporting increased focus on diagnosing asthma are thus warranted. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The aim was to test the internal consistency of the Greenlandic version of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire and to estimate the symptom burden in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Greenland using the CAT questionnaire. A Greenlandic version of the CAT question… The aim was to test the internal consistency of the Greenlandic version of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire and to estimate the symptom burden in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Greenland using the CAT questionnaire. A Greenlandic version of the CAT questionnaire was developed including forward translation, reconciliation, backwards translation, and pilot test. Afterwards, a cross-sectional study of patients with COPD was conducted. The internal consistency assessed by the Cronbach α coefficient was 0.823 for the Greenlandic version of the questionnaire (n = 103). The CAT was negatively correlated to spirometry values and current smoking. In the cross-sectional study (n = 250), 81.1% of the patients experienced a high symptom burden (≥10). The main CAT score was 17 (range 0–38). The CAT was used in 9 out of 17 towns in Greenland. The Greenlandic version of the CAT questionnaire demonstrated a good internal consistency. We observed a high burden of symptoms associated with reduced lung function and active smoking status among patient diagnosed with COPD in Greenland. The questionnaire can be used in clinical practice for assessment of symptom burden in patients with COPD in Greenland and may help to increase focus on symptom control and quality of care. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Unthinking historical thinking: lessons from the Arctic

In a 2017 book chapter on the continuing erasure of Indigenous epistemes in academia, the Sami scholar Rauna Kuokkanen posed an important question: is it acceptable for a site of learning to be so ignorant? Foregrounding Indigenous scholarship from the Arctic, this article examines the potential of… In a 2017 book chapter on the continuing erasure of Indigenous epistemes in academia, the Sami scholar Rauna Kuokkanen posed an important question: is it acceptable for a site of learning to be so ignorant? Foregrounding Indigenous scholarship from the Arctic, this article examines the potential of history education to address this question. Based on previous research on Arctic gender history and the coloniality of knowledge, I suggest a paradigm shift, in view of the new UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development framework (May 2021). The research investigates the challenges and opportunities that history education offers in terms of epistemic and cognitive justice within the context of Arctic memory cultures. The article concludes that much can be learned from (not about) Indigenous scholarship, which has long demonstrated a range of critical and sustainable methodologies that offer opportunities to seek epistemic justice and the restitution of cultural memory. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Parents’ perspectives on the role of kin in child-rearing: a qualitative study on Greenland’s universal parenting programme MANU

Nurturing care and protection from parents and community in the early years of life are fundamental for a child's development. The article aims to explore what relations parents see as meaningful in their child's upbringing and how these are shaped, and how these perspectives are reflected in MANU.… Nurturing care and protection from parents and community in the early years of life are fundamental for a child's development. The article aims to explore what relations parents see as meaningful in their child's upbringing and how these are shaped, and how these perspectives are reflected in MANU. MANU is a universal parenting programme in Greenland. Ten of 40 interviews with parents were selected for the analysis of this article's objective. Five grandparents were interviewed. Grandparents are the child's closest extended family members and provide support to parents. Parents placed between one to 19 extended family members in their child's network. Eating and being in nature together, along with familial and intergenerational connectedness, were deemed valuable and important aspects in child-rearing. Parents? own experiences in childhood can influence and complicate how parents place their new family within the extended family. The MANU materials address aspects in the role of kin that parents and grandparents described in interviews. The format and delivery of MANU aims to be universal and mostly addresses Western epistemologies, but both Western and Inuit epistemologies coexists in Greenland. This article creates a window into the existing context parents navigate in. It is important that initiatives are built within this context to ensure they are relevant to families. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Artiklen argumenterer for et større fokus på fastboende sundhedsmedarbejdere, på faglig udvikling og uddannelse, som forudsætning for at styrke rekruttering og fastholdelse af sundhedspersonale.

Communication | Formidling

Kronikken formidler medarbejderperspektiver på et forbedret arbejdsmiljø i sundhedsvæsenet som forudsætning for fastholdelse af medarbejderne. Der argumenteres for at alle parter i sundhedspraksis, politikere, ledere, medarbejdere og brugere, må inddrages i en dialog om udfordringerne med at rekrutt… Kronikken formidler medarbejderperspektiver på et forbedret arbejdsmiljø i sundhedsvæsenet som forudsætning for fastholdelse af medarbejderne. Der argumenteres for at alle parter i sundhedspraksis, politikere, ledere, medarbejdere og brugere, må inddrages i en dialog om udfordringerne med at rekruttere og fastholde personale på sundhedsområdet, hvis løsningerne skal være langtidsholdbare. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Hjemløshedsforskning og aktivistisk aktionsforskning

Artiklen sætter fokus på 10 års arbejde med hjemløshedsforskning, aktivisme og aktionsprojekter i Grønland.

Research | Forskning

Der er behov for en mere nuanceret debat i Grønland om de juridiske, politiske og økonomiske muligheder og udfordringer vedrørende Free Association

Research | Forskning - peer review

Denne artikel omhandler et igangværende samarbejde mellem Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs (hovedstadskommunen, hvor Nuuk ligger) opsøgende gadeteam og Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd (ICAV), baseret på deltagende aktionsforskning. Målet med samarbejdet er at styrke kapaciteten blandt de ops… Denne artikel omhandler et igangværende samarbejde mellem Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs (hovedstadskommunen, hvor Nuuk ligger) opsøgende gadeteam og Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd (ICAV), baseret på deltagende aktionsforskning. Målet med samarbejdet er at styrke kapaciteten blandt de opsøgende socialarbejdere og give dem større overblik over deres job og faglige udvikling (UNDP, 2015). Kapacitetsopbygning og empowerment er begreber, der understøtter udviklingen af individer, fællesskaber og organisationer gennem socialt- og lokalsamfundsarbejde (Jones, 2010; Smith, 2015). Kapacitetsopbygning er helt specifikt en proces, som forbedrer individers og fællesskabers evne, viden og ressourcer og styrker dem til effektivt at nå deres mål og ambitioner (Brown, 2008). Dette koncept styrker principperne i lokalsamfundsarbejde ved at fokusere på ved hjælp af fællesskaber at opbygge de nødvendige færdigheder og ressourcer til selvfortalervirksomhed og initiering af ændringer. Samtidig giver empowerment individer de værktøjer og ressourcer, der er nødvendige for at tage styring over eget liv og træffe beslutninger som positivt påvirker deres trivsel. Dette udstyrer individer og fællesskaber med gå-på-modet til at fremme deres vækst og udvikling. Både kapacitetsopbygning og empowerment spiller sammen en betydelig rolle i at katalysere bæredygtig udvikling og social forandring (Lee, 2019). Derfor fungerer de som fundamentet for ethvert udviklingsprogram eller initiativ, der søger at tackle individuelle, gruppe- eller lokalsamfundsudfordringer (Smith & Jones, 2017). Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Socialområdet i Grønland har ry for at have mange udsatte børn, og det er et fakta, at antallet af børn, der er anbragt uden for hjemmet, er højt. Samtidig ved vi, at anbragte børn klarer sig dårlige end jævnaldrende både på kort og langt sigte. Løsningen på de sociale udfordringer i Grønland har si… Socialområdet i Grønland har ry for at have mange udsatte børn, og det er et fakta, at antallet af børn, der er anbragt uden for hjemmet, er højt. Samtidig ved vi, at anbragte børn klarer sig dårlige end jævnaldrende både på kort og langt sigte. Løsningen på de sociale udfordringer i Grønland har siden 1950’erne været at overføre danske standarder for socialt arbejde til Grønland. Denne artikel argumenterer for, at vi i stedet lærer af de tidligere grønlandske anbringelsesmetoder, hvor slægt og netværk spiller en afgørende rolle. Inddragelse af og ophold i slægt og netværk har traditionelt været udbredt i Grønland, idet den udvidede familie har taget sig af børn, der i kortere eller længere tid ikke har kunnet bo hos deres forældre. Denne type uformel social bistand inden for familien blev efter introduktionen af det danske socialsystem nedprioriteret og er ikke længere så anvendt. Men da slægts- og netværksanbringelser ifølge international forskning er den anbringelsesform, hvor børn får de bedste betingelser for at kunne klare sig i livet, er det værd at undersøge, hvordan man kan genintroducere grønlandske traditioner i det sociale arbejde, og dermed empower og gentænke den professionelle støtte til børn og familier. Artiklen tager udgangspunkt i viden om arbejdet med slægt og netværk i forhold til udsatte børn og unge, der bor væk fra deres familier. Den diskuterer eksisterende vilkår og mulighederne for at udvikle bedre indsatser for børn og unge ved at tage udgangspunkt i tidligere erfaringer. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In Greenland, more than four times as many children are placed in out-of-home care (OHC) as in comparable countries in the Nordic region. This article is based on qualitative interviews with 38 children placed in residential institutions and shows the children’s own experiences of this and the degre… In Greenland, more than four times as many children are placed in out-of-home care (OHC) as in comparable countries in the Nordic region. This article is based on qualitative interviews with 38 children placed in residential institutions and shows the children’s own experiences of this and the degree to which they were involved in decisions concerning their own lives. The results of the article point to five main findings. First, the interviewed children usually didn’t know why they were placed in institutional care. Secondly, they didn’t know how long they could stay where they lived. Thirdly, the children expressed a wish for more committed staff. Fourthly, the children missed their families, not least because they were often placed far away from home and only had the opportunity to see their families a few times a year. And finally, around half of the children were satisfied to live in the residential institution they’d been placed in. The results are analysed and discussed in a phenomenological framework of recognition theory and participation theory. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Unlike legal systems in Denmark or many other countries, the Greenlandic Penal Code does not include the concept of punishment. Instead, the Code contains several diverse sanctions intended to prevent reoffences through treatment. This article explores this particular legal structure by examining ca… Unlike legal systems in Denmark or many other countries, the Greenlandic Penal Code does not include the concept of punishment. Instead, the Code contains several diverse sanctions intended to prevent reoffences through treatment. This article explores this particular legal structure by examining cases of Greenlandic citizens sanctioned for treatment with or without deprivation of liberty. Based on an archival study of records held by the Prosecutor’s Office of the Greenland Police, this article maps the number of Greenlandic citizens sanctioned for treatment with or without deprivation of liberty in either Greenland or Denmark along with the assessment of their mental state and place of treatment. The findings show that 49 of the 160 individuals convicted were sent to Denmark for treatment and rehabilitation within the prison service, forensic psychiatry, or forensic intellectual disability services. The most common types of crime among the convicted were violent. This article recommends that a new registration practice is needed to methodologically generate a representative picture of the convicted population. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article examines the conceptualization of nation-building in Greenland, challenging conventional views on sovereignty and suggesting an imminent emergence of an alternate governance model in the Arctic region. Drawing on the decoloniality perspective, we explore the Inuit myth, which suggests a… This article examines the conceptualization of nation-building in Greenland, challenging conventional views on sovereignty and suggesting an imminent emergence of an alternate governance model in the Arctic region. Drawing on the decoloniality perspective, we explore the Inuit myth, which suggests a unique connection of the Inuit to the Arctic environment and asserts their status as natural stewards of the region with special rights based on their cultural and political identity. We argue that this understanding of sovereignty has important implications not only for its departure from conventional Western notions of state formation but also for its potential to create alternative governance structures that do not reinforce existing political hegemonies from the “West”. We further analyze how the legacy of colonialism in Greenland has impacted power and gender relations in the region and has fueled a distinctive sense of nationalism that differs from those seen in the West. The article discusses how the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is playing a major role in promoting an alternative political legitimacy model against the conventional approach of nation-building. We note that the ICC depends on the maintenance of political myths which have evolved over time. We conclude by suggesting that conventional perspectives on state formation must be revised to incorporate the historical experiences and knowledge of Indigenous peoples, and that further exploration of alternative governance structures is needed. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

Eye-tracking fra afstand

Forskningsrapporten præsenterer resultater fra forskningsprojektet "Læseundervisning som fjernundervisning i faget grønlandsk". Rapportens analyser tager udgangspunkt i elevernes læsninger i læseværktøjet EyeJustRead, hvor en læsevejleder er tilknyttet fra en anden skole.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Indenfor mange områder i det grønlandske samfund bliver aktivitet og udvikling drevet af såkaldte ildsjæle. Det er personer som engagerer sig, uden nødvendigvis at have ledelsesansvar. De ser muligheder, og har inspirationen til at få liv i en organisation eller institution. Men løsninger med ildsjæ… Indenfor mange områder i det grønlandske samfund bliver aktivitet og udvikling drevet af såkaldte ildsjæle. Det er personer som engagerer sig, uden nødvendigvis at have ledelsesansvar. De ser muligheder, og har inspirationen til at få liv i en organisation eller institution. Men løsninger med ildsjæle skaber en skrøbelig og omskiftelig ledelsesstruktur, og får udvikling til at halte eller gå i stå. En gennemgang af anvendelsen af fjernundervisning i den grønlandske skole bruges til at diskutere, hvordan ildsjæle er udtryk for et komplekst magtvakuum indenfor ledelse i Grønland. Af historiske årsager ønskes ofte ledere med grønlandsk baggrund. Ledelsesansvar gribes, men der kan så opstå ambivalens overfor at få overdraget ansvar og råderum. Ambivalens overfor at påtage sig lederansvar afspejler muligvis den ambivalente situation det er for et samfund, at blive tildelt selvforvaltning fra en tidligere kolonial centraladministration. Forpligtelsen ved at få medindflydelse kan også opleves som anmassende, og som et respektløst overgreb, som magtanvendelse. Vægring ved at tage ledelse, og udøve magt, kan være en reaktion der handler om at yde modmagt, og faktisk om selvforvaltning. Det siger sig selv, at denne reaktion er kontraproduktiv. Resultatet bliver let, at samfundet bringes til at stå i stampe, og at der sættes gang i en uheldig reproduktion af selvforstærkende inkompetence. Her er det ildsjælene mister tålmodigheden, og griber de gode muligheder der ofte er for initiativer. Kapitlet viser empirisk og teoretisk hvordan Ildsjæle afspejler en problematisk ledelseskultur, som bør trækkes frem i lyset for at blive diskuteret. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Distance between a learner and teacher in distance teaching is theoretically confronted as a challenge in terms of contact and communication. But geographical distance does not necessarily cause mental distance. Using case studies from schools in Denmark and Greenland, this chapter proposes theoreti… Distance between a learner and teacher in distance teaching is theoretically confronted as a challenge in terms of contact and communication. But geographical distance does not necessarily cause mental distance. Using case studies from schools in Denmark and Greenland, this chapter proposes theoretical concepts that frame distance teaching as pedagogical development. The findings support a focus on how distance teaching stimulates a proactive learner role, and how teachers might gain from the geographical distance in terms of contact with the learners’ learning and development. Teaching over distance might support an even better connection to proficiency levels and progress with the learner. Focused subject interaction and communication and enhanced student visibility are discussed as theoretical concepts for distance teaching research and practice, grounded in qualitative data. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article presents a case study of a school class for children with special needs in a Greenlandic elementary school, where education outside the classroom (EOtC) is practised by using hunting and other traditional use of Greenlandic nature as a foundation for interdisciplinary teaching. The stud… This article presents a case study of a school class for children with special needs in a Greenlandic elementary school, where education outside the classroom (EOtC) is practised by using hunting and other traditional use of Greenlandic nature as a foundation for interdisciplinary teaching. The students live in a residential institution because they have been exposed to neglect and traumatic events at home. That has caused that they have been relocated from their family and hometown and have changed school. The study examines how students respond to school, when hunting, the Greenlandic dog sled and traditional use of Greenlandic plants are used in the school’s lessons. Observation and interviews show that this form of teaching motivates students and have at positive impact on their academic performance and social and personal development. Mastery experiences, authenticity, a smooth room and positive relationships between teacher and student as well as between students are important elements in this positive experience of school. The research can provide inspiration for a pedagogy in the Greenlandic elementary school that creates motivation and interest for school. It would be relevant to study if this way of practice EOtC will have any long-term effect on the students. This article is a translation of the article written in Danish “Kulturtradition, jagt og naturbrug i en grønlandsk specialklasse – udeskole der motiverer” (Føns, 2022). The article has been peer reviewed and published in the Danish research journal “Pædagogisk Psykologisk Tidsskrift”. The translation and publication are approved by the editor of Pædagogisk Psykologisk Tidsskrift. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

Institutionel etnografi (IE) er initieret af Dorothy Smith (1926 – 2022) og skriver sig ind i sociologier om objektivering af subjekter. Med IE analyseres bagvedliggende styringsrelationer i form af ideologier og diskurser i politiske tekster, men sådan som de sætter sig igennem i hverdagslivets akt… Institutionel etnografi (IE) er initieret af Dorothy Smith (1926 – 2022) og skriver sig ind i sociologier om objektivering af subjekter. Med IE analyseres bagvedliggende styringsrelationer i form af ideologier og diskurser i politiske tekster, men sådan som de sætter sig igennem i hverdagslivets aktiviteter. Med inspiration fra marxistiskfeministisk teori er ideen at producere viden, der ikke er fremmedgørende for de mennesker, som sociologen vil undersøge. Dette illustreres med dårlig samvittighed og skyld, der er en genkendelig følelse i hverdagslivet hos nyuddannede sygeplejersker, og som konstitueres af en politisk bestemt neoliberal individualisering af arbejdsvilkår, der ansvarliggør den enkelte i arbejdslivet. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Artiklen argumenterer for inddragelse af medarbejderne i udvikling af tiltag til fastholdelse af fastboende medarbejdere i sundhedsvæsenet.

Research | Forskning

En interviewundersøgelse af medarbejderperspektiver på praksis i sundhedsvæsenet i Grønland har givet viden om de muligheder og begrænsninger, medarbejderne ser for et demokratisk og effektivt sundhedsvæsen. Et vigtigt element er medarbejdernes trivsel, som er tæt forbundet med samarbejdet med bruge… En interviewundersøgelse af medarbejderperspektiver på praksis i sundhedsvæsenet i Grønland har givet viden om de muligheder og begrænsninger, medarbejderne ser for et demokratisk og effektivt sundhedsvæsen. Et vigtigt element er medarbejdernes trivsel, som er tæt forbundet med samarbejdet med brugerne samt oplevelsen af kollegial og ledelsesmæssig opbakning. Medarbejdertrivsel rammer ind i den aktuelle problematik om rekruttering og fastholdelse af medarbejdere i sundhedsvæsenet, både fastboende og udefrakommende. Artiklen peger på følgende områder for forbedring af trivslen og dermed mulighederne for at rekruttere og fastholde sundhedspersonale: Efteruddannelse og fælles praksisrefleksion som middel til at kunne håndtere faglige og menneskelige udfordringer i arbejdet. Opprioritering af forebyggelse og sundhedsfremme som forudsætning for et meningsfuldt arbejde der imødekommer befolkningens ønsker og behov. Medarbejderindflydelse på prioriteringer og tilrettelæggelse af opgaver. Ledelsesmæssig opbakning og samarbejde om udvikling. Fokus på samarbejde med brugerne, både individuelt og lokalt. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Det er blevet tiltagende vanskeligt at rekruttere grønlandske sundhedsmedarbejdere til langvarige ansættelser i sundhedsvæsenet. Resultatet er en ond cirkel hvor arbejdsvilkårene forringes pga. skiftende personale og ubesatte stillinger, og hvor forringet kvalitet af indsatsen og manglende støtte ti… Det er blevet tiltagende vanskeligt at rekruttere grønlandske sundhedsmedarbejdere til langvarige ansættelser i sundhedsvæsenet. Resultatet er en ond cirkel hvor arbejdsvilkårene forringes pga. skiftende personale og ubesatte stillinger, og hvor forringet kvalitet af indsatsen og manglende støtte til medarbejderne er konsekvensen. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Artiklen problematiserer sundhedsforligets manglende stillingtagen til fastholdelse af det fastboende sundhedspersonale og bidrager med input til et mere attraktivt arbejdsmiljø i sundhedsvæsenet gennem resultaterne af en undersøgelse af medarbejderperspektiver på udfordringer og udviklingsmulighede… Artiklen problematiserer sundhedsforligets manglende stillingtagen til fastholdelse af det fastboende sundhedspersonale og bidrager med input til et mere attraktivt arbejdsmiljø i sundhedsvæsenet gennem resultaterne af en undersøgelse af medarbejderperspektiver på udfordringer og udviklingsmuligheder. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Polar law describes the normative frameworks that govern the relationships between humans, States, Peoples, institutions, land and resources in the Arctic and the Antarctic. These two regions are superficially similar in terms of natural environmental conditions but the overarching frameworks that a… Polar law describes the normative frameworks that govern the relationships between humans, States, Peoples, institutions, land and resources in the Arctic and the Antarctic. These two regions are superficially similar in terms of natural environmental conditions but the overarching frameworks that apply are fundamentally different. The Routledge Handbook of Polar Law explores the legal orders in the Arctic and Antarctic in a comparative perspective, identifying similarities as well as differences. It points to a distinct discipline of "Polar law" as the body of rules governing actors, spaces and institutions at the Poles. Four main features define the collection: the Arctic-Antarctic interface; the interaction between global, regional and domestic legal regimes; the rights of Indigenous Peoples; and the increasing importance of private law. While these broad themes have been addressed to varying extents elsewhere, the editors believe that this Handbook brings them together to create a comprehensive (if never exhaustive) account of what constitutes Polar law today. Leading scholars in public international and private law as well as experts in related fields come together to offer unique insights into polar law as a burgeoning discipline. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Russian aggression against Ukraine has triggered doubts about the viability of international law to address complex problems, including in the polar regions. Nevertheless, this article demonstrates that international legal approaches remain important tools to address challenges and disputes in polar… Russian aggression against Ukraine has triggered doubts about the viability of international law to address complex problems, including in the polar regions. Nevertheless, this article demonstrates that international legal approaches remain important tools to address challenges and disputes in polar law. The article argues that international law remains of critical importance for the peaceful governance of the Poles. It illustrates this argument with a review of, amongst other institutions, the functioning of the Arctic Council, the Antarctic Treaty System, selected issues in the law of the sea and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The Kárahnjúkar dam, power station and aluminium smelter opened in East Iceland in 2007 after many years of debate and discord. It is the largest ever industrial project in Iceland and had national as well as local implications, both responding to and in turn changing public expectations regarding p… The Kárahnjúkar dam, power station and aluminium smelter opened in East Iceland in 2007 after many years of debate and discord. It is the largest ever industrial project in Iceland and had national as well as local implications, both responding to and in turn changing public expectations regarding participation, environmental impact assessment and community engagement. As Iceland seeks to harness an increasing supply of renewable energy, questions are raised about what constitutes a just transition in the Icelandic context. The article begins by discussing energy supply and demand, current and projected in Iceland. It then delves into theoretical accounts of just transition. It explores the decision-making process for the Kárahnjúkar project and the longer term impacts on the region before assessing these within the framework of just transition theory. A discussion follows that delivers insights into key aspects of the just transition that can be applied to new projects both in Iceland and further afield. These pertain in particular to employment and community benefits, environmental impact assessment and public participation. Læs mere