The UHI Institute for Northern Studies has led innovative research since its establishment in 2007, examining development impacts while actively influencing economic and social policies in the Arctic and Northern Islands.
In September 2025, the Institute hosted its inaugural interdisciplinary symposium, “The Future of Northern & Arctic Islands: 2050 and Beyond.” The event brought together speakers and delegates from around the world to explore critical issues, including the region’s evolving geopolitical landscape, sustainable development strategies, and the influence of language, culture, and heritage on shaping future trajectories.
“I am delighted by the response to our call for an interdisciplinary symposium,” said Chair and organiser Dr Andrew Jennings, Associate Professor in Island Studies. “This demonstrates the commitment to sustainable development by agencies throughout the entire region as we move beyond 2050. I would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to making the event a success.”
Dr Jennings continued, “Northern and Arctic islands are currently experiencing significant environmental, geopolitical, and societal transformations. These changes present complex challenges and opportunities for the region’s futures. In response, this symposium aimed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and scholarly exchange on the long-term outlook for these vital areas.”
A full recording of the symposium on the Institutes’ YouTube Channel.
Northern and Arctic islands are currently experiencing significant environmental, geopolitical, and societal transformations. These changes present complex challenges and opportunities for the regions’ futures. To better understand the rapid change occurring in this region, two UHI Institute for Northern Studies PhD candidates are also conducting research on the Arctic and Subarctic islands.
Maureen Whalen’s PhD research is titled The Impacts of Nature-Based Tourism in the Arctic and Subarctic Islands. The aim of this study is to explore the complex relationships between nature-based polar tourism providers, the broader tourism industry, scientific entities, island communities, local businesses, government, transport operators, and the tourists themselves.
Linda Johnson-Bell’s PhD research aims to re-examine the historical relationship between Scotland’s northern islands (Shetland and Orkney) and the Arctic through an Indigenous Circumpolar lens, moving beyond the traditional focus on Norse/Scandinavian influence. The study argues that the islands, before becoming a centre of the Scandinavian Kingdom, were at the centre of an Indigenous Circumpolar world and seeks to discover evidence of direct or indirect cultural impacts from groups like the Sámi, Inuit, and Native Americans on northern Scotland’s culture and identity, from prehistory to the present.
Linda Johnson-Bell’s research challenges the assumption that the contributions of Circumpolar Indigenous cultures to the Nordic Kingdoms were minimal. By examining a variety of evidence—including linguistic connections, place names (such as Finnigirt/Funzie Girt on Fetlar), sagas, folklore, ancient aDNA results, and archaeological discoveries—it suggests that the influence attributed to the Norse on the islands may actually have deeper roots in Circumpolar “Arctic” origins. The study will employ methods used in Sámi archaeology to establish Circumpolar identity and use a lexicon to identify Indigenous references (e.g., finns, trӧll) in written and oral sources, ultimately aiming to clarify the nature and extent of this long-held cultural connection and propose a more comprehensive context for future research.
The full research and teaching programme can be viewed on the UHI Institute for Northern Studies website.
