The Thematic Network (TN) on Geopolitics and Security is the first joint TN on relevant and comprehensive issues between the University of the Arctic (UArctic) and Northern Research Forum (NRF). It was established and approved in 2009 by the Council of the UArctic and the Steering Committee of the NRF. 

Long-term purpose

The two detailed focus areas of this TN are: first, studies on ‘Geopolitics’ like for example, how geopolitics is present / implemented in the circumpolar North; what might mean indigenous point(s) of view of geopolitics; and what might be among key indicators of the geopolitics in a changing North; and second, studies on ‘Security’ like for example, how different discourses on security are implemented in the North; what are special features of Northern security; and what kind of security factor climate change is.

Main aims

The main aims of the Thematic Network on Geopolitics and Security are on one hand, to combine the two focus areas together, promote ‘interdisciplinarity’ and draw up a holistic picture on Northern (geo)politics, and on the other, to identify and analyze key indicators of northern geopolitics as well as special features of northern security.

Planned activities

Among planned activities are first, to run annual workshops for the members of the TN as well as for PhD students on political sciences back-to-back to international conferences and seminars, such as NRF Open Assemblies and Calotte Academy; second, to implement the interplay between research and teaching, between senior and young researchers and between science and politics; third, to act as a joint platform for discussion on these matters in general and particularly between the NRF and the UArctic; and final, to launch and run an international research project on the themes.  

Members

At the first stage the Network is consisted of the following scholars and experts on political and social sciences: Dr. Rasmus Bertelsen from University of Århus, Denmark; PhD Heather Exner-Pirot, from University of Saskatchewan, Canada; Prof. Matthias Finger from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland; Dr. Gunhild Hoogenson from University of Tromsö, Norway; Dr. Rob Huebert from University of Galgary, Canada; Dr. Mikhail Kalentchenko, Russia; Prof. Nikita Lomagin from St. Petersburg State University, Russia; Dr. Heather Nicol from Trent University, Canada; Dr. Larisa Riabova from Kola Science Centre, Russia; Dr. Gleb Yarovoy from Petrozavodsk State University, Russia; Prof. Willy Östreng from Ocean Futures, Norway; and Dr. Lassi Heininen from University of the Lapland, Finland – he is the leader of the Network.

And, the following PhD students: M.A. Harry Barlose from University of Akureyri, Canada; PhD-candidate Margret Cela from University of Lapland, Iceland; PhD-candidate Damien Degeorges, from University of Brussels, Belgium; PhD-candidate Audur H. Ingolfsdottir from University of Iceland / University of Lapland, Iceland; PhD-candidate Gustav Petursson, from University of Lapland, Iceland; PhD-candidate Joel Plouffe from University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada; PhD-candidate Adam Stepien, University of Lapland, Finland, PhD-candidate Sanna Kopra, University of Tampere, Finland; and M.A. Jussi Huotari from University of Lapland, Finland – he is the coordinator of the TN.

Contact information

Dr. Lassi Heininen, University of Lapland (e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; tel. +358-40-4844 215)