Workshop Series on Ethics and Methods in Arctic Transformative Research (WEMA) I – Transformative Arctic Research Series: Ethics and Methods

As the Arctic undergoes profound social, cultural, political, economic, and climate-related changes, scholars and activists are driven to gain deeper understandings of climate dynamics and to bolster local resilience. Many researchers in the field of sustainability science advocate for “transformative science,” which involves critical reflections on scientific practices, institutional change, and knowledge creation. Despite methodological improvements, Indigenous and local communities continue to face exclusion and power imbalances in such research processes. In light of the growing debate on research ethics and increased awareness of the need to address the potential harm that scientific practices aimed at sustainability may cause, this virtual workshop addressed four main questions:

1. Can new and innovative research methodologies address current needs from transformative/Indigenous and local Arctic communities’ perspectives?
2. What theoretical and methodological approaches can facilitate a departure from exploitive research practices?
3. What shapes current methods selection, and what lessons can be drawn from a better understanding of these factors?
4. How can better communication be fostered across academic disciplines, activism, politics, etc.?

The workshop featured Arctic transformative research case studies, explored research ethics of current research governance regimes, addressed colonial legacies in research methods, and discussed pathways toward more meaningful communication between academic and non-academic communities.

Additional partners also contributed to this project. For more details on this project and their involvement, please visit the links provided.

Contributors

Thora HerrmannLocation: Oulu, Finland

Nina N. DöringLocation: Potsdam, Germany

Charleen FisherLocation: Beaver, Alaska

Annette ScheepstraLocation: Groningen, Netherlands

Gertrude SaxingerLocation: Vienna, Austria