Eight University of Aberdeen scholars, ed two panels and participated in multiple sessions at the Arctic Assembly in Bodø Norway (30 May - 1 June).
Eight University of Aberdeen scholars, with partial support from the Pump-Priming Fund, led two panels and participated in multiple sessions at the Arctic Assembly in Bodø Norway (30 May – 1 June). This was the largest Arctic congress of its kind incorporating the business meetings of the University of the Arctic with the bi-annual conference of the International Arctic Social Sciences Association. Dr. Isabelle Gapp (Art History) lead a group of Early Career scholars in a number of high profile presentations on the history and aesthetics of polar exploration. Our group was unique for including two indigenous knowledge holders. Maria Nordvall (Anthropology) presented on the history of representation of the Saami conical tent while Davie Donaldson drew out connections in the lifestyle and political struggles of Nawken Traveller Gypsies in Scotland. Laura Goyhenex (Anthropology) presented her recent fieldwork on collaborative nuclear waste cleanup with a Dene First Nation in Canada. The topic of food sovereignty was prominently represented from Aberdeen with Drs Nancy Wachowich, Peter Loovers, and Rob Wishart (Anthropology) all presenting in multiple different panels. Our UArctic Research Chair, Prof David Anderson (Anthropology) participated in a large round table on Arctic policy in the wake of the Ukraine War and represented our University in the subcommittees on North2North mobility and thematic research networks. The strength and vibrancy of Arctic Humanities in Aberdeen was widely remarked upon and appreciated by this growing global community.