ReignPhdCource

Facing challenges and finding opportunities for sustainable and equitable societies (3ECTS)

• Are you in the field of social or environmental sciences, and interested in research in boreal and arctic region?
• Do you think participatory research and co-production of knowledge is relevant to your own research?
• Would you like to learn more on ethics and practices in participatory research and stakeholder interactions?
  

The course was organized by the Nordic Centre of Excellence ReiGN. It was hosted by Arctic Centre, University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland on Oct 2021*.

The course introduced students to both theoretical and practical tools and cases in participatory research. The course offered a rare opportunity to experience what it means to collaborate and interact with local stakeholders and northern communities.

*After careful consideration, and following the COVID-19 instructions of the Council of State, the University of Lapland and NordForsk, the course was postponed until October 2021. The course was organized 25.-29.10.2021 in Rovaniemi and in Zoom. Some lectures were virtual and in advance.

Course description:

The aim of this transdisciplinary course was to introduce students to participatory research approaches where coproduction and exchange of knowledge with stakeholders are essential. Aim was to increase the collaborative and social skills as well as capability to interact over disciplinary and epistemological borders. It was also learnt, based on empirical examples, how to apply participatory methodology in practice. This course focused on natural resource management and land use in the North, and research topics around these were presented in lectures and discussed in workshops. For example, land use conflicts, research ethics and interplay between people and the environment were of high relevance in the course programme.

Expected learning outcomes:

Upon successfully completing this course, students is able to:

1) demonstrate theoretical knowledge and understanding of key concepts such as co-production, participatory research and transdisciplinary research;

2) employ and make informed choices between different transdisciplinary perspectives, theories and methods when analysing challenges in relation to natural resource-based livelihoods and research design choices; and

3) discuss challenges and opportunities in dealing with stakeholder groups, ethical requirements and ways of knowing. Students will also gain practical experience of and enhance their skills in; engaging with, listening to and understanding stakeholder perspectives; and communicating their research to different audiences.

Estimated workload:

35 hours independent work (before and after the course week: preparations and final report, reflecting exercises), 20 contact hours (lectures, practices, workshops, seminar), 15 hours study visits and interactions with stakeholders, 10 hours group work (e.g. interviews, preparations for the final seminar). These together provide the basis for course evaluation. Grades: pass or fail.

Programme:

The course started on Monday morning and ended Friday afternoon. The course was held in English and it consisted of lectures, practical exercises, and a field visit . We also organized possibilities to meet and interact with e.g. other traditional livelihood practitioners, and land use planners of the City of Rovaniemi. Social activities and experience sharing among course participants and the course team also constituted important learning arenas during the course.

Admission requirements:

Open for PhD students with master’s degree in Social or Environmental Sciences. A board of scientists of ReiGN selected 16 students to participate in the course; we aimed at an international and balanced group in terms of gender and fields of science.

• Sirpa Rasmus and Mia Landauer, Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland
• Tim Horstkotte, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
• Andrei Marin, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
• Visiting experts and lecturers from the Arctic Centre and the NCoE ReiGN.

More information:

• Sirpa Rasmus, University Researcher, Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland
  sirpa.rasmus(at)ulapland.fi
• Course material (password required)