Publikationer

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.