Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT)

Resilient human-environment relations theme is grounded in the concept of socio-ecological resilience, emphasising interconnections and dependencies between individuals, humanity, and ecosystems. It analyses human and environmental vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities relating to systemic change and provides new solutions to the challenges of environmental change in the anthropocenic Arctic and elsewhere on the planet. We identify factors that cause anxieties and, moreover, increase hope concerning global sustainability problems to transform learning and education.

Theme leader: Prof. Elina Lehtomäki,
Docent, PhD, Professor, Global Education Values, Ideologies and Social Contexts of Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology

Resilient human-economy and value network relations theme investigates how economically driven shifts and shocks impact organisations, institutions, inter-organisational networks and regional ecosystems. It seeks to show the vulnerabilities and resilience of human and business systems in the face of such changes, thus contributing to our understanding of transitioning needs for resilient and sustainable systems (e.g. circular economies).

Theme leader: Prof. Satu Nätti, Dr., Professor, Marketing
Department of Marketing, Management and International Business, Oulu Business School

Resilient human-society relations theme develops innovative approaches to investigating how human adaptability and resilience to change are influenced by social group and community aspects and values on various spatio-temporal scales. It analyses and initiates actions to institutionalise wellbeing, sustainable lifestyles, and healthier future environments, particularly in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, especially in the context of indigenous Sami culture.

Theme leader: Sigga-Marja Magga, PhD, University lecturer in Sami culture, Giellagas Institute, Faculty of Humanities

Resilience research methods is a cross-cutting research theme. The aim of this theme is to develop indicators, methods, and analyses for resilience research, in addition to seeking out the ways of implementing resilience thinking in policies and developments. We seek to advance the novel, systemic approaches needed for integrating human and natural elements - as well as processes. One example is research on the relation between sustainable tourism and climate change.

Theme leader: Prof. Jarkko Saarinen, PhD, Professor, Geography, Faculty of Science.

Leader: Prof. Jarkko Saarinen jarkko.saarinen@oulu.fi

Vice leader: Prof. Elina Lehtomäki elina.lehtomaki@oulu.fi

Jarkko Saarinen (Chair), Elina Lehtomäki, Satu Nätti, Sigga-Marja Magga.

Associate professor Hanna Komulainen, (tenure track) Resilient Organizations and Business Networks in the Oulu Business School, Department of Marketing, Management and International Business. hanna.komulainen@oulu.fi

Associate professor Aleksi Räsänen, (tenure track) Spatial Resilience Research Methods, the Faculty of Science, Geography Research Unit. aleksi.rasanen@oulu.fi

Dr. Lotta Haukipuro lotta.haukipuro@oulu.fi

Anniina Keiskander anniina.keiskander@oulu.fi