Warming in the Arctic is occurring at a rate four times faster than the global average, placing the region at the forefront of what UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls "climate hell".

The urgency increases if Trump's administration withdraws the United States from the Paris Agreement. Scientists emphasise that the effort to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will largely depend on actions taken during the 2020s.

Science diplomacy plays a crucial role in addressing global issues, and its importance has grown as the environmental crisis escalates. Universities are essential in this effort, as they produce scientific knowledge, provide education, and develop innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

Dr. Melody Brown Burkins, Director of the Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth College, discusses the concept of science diplomacy and how it shapes Arctic research and diplomacy. A panel discussion will examine academia's future roles and responsibilities as we navigate wicked problems.

You are welcome to join this open seminar day! No prior registration is needed.

Time:  Monday, 9 December 2024, from 9 am – 3 pm (UTC +2)

Online Access to the event: https://blogi.eoppimispalvelut.fi/ulapland/

Programme:

9:15 Opening Remarks
Soili Nystén-Haarala, Vice-Rector of Research, University of Lapland

9:30 Setting the Stage: What is Science Diplomacy & How Can it Best Serve the Arctic?
Melody Brown Burkins, Director, Institute of Arctic Studies, Dartmouth College. UArctic Chair in Science Diplomacy and Inclusion

11:00 Break

12:15 The Practice of Arctic Science Diplomacy in Shaping the Future of Arctic Research and Diplomacy
Melody Brown Burkins, Director, Institute of Arctic Studies, Dartmouth College. UArctic Chair in Science Diplomacy and Inclusion

13:30 Panel Discussion: Are we on the Highway to Climate Hell? The Role(s) and Responsibilities of Academia

Moderator: Juho Kähkönen, Researcher, University of Lapland.

Panellists:

• Timo Koivurova, Research Professor, International Law, University of Lapland
• Rauna Kuokkanen, Research Professor, Arctic Indigenous Studies, University of Lapland
• Alexandra Middleton, UArctic Vice-Chair in Science Diplomacy, University of Oulu
• Petteri Vuorimäki, Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

14:30 Closing Remarks
Melody Brown Burkins, Director, Institute of Arctic Studies, Dartmouth College. UArctic Chair in Science Diplomacy and Inclusion
Juho Kähkönen, Researcher, University of Lapland

Melody Brown Burkins

Melody Brown Burkins, PhD, is a distinguished science diplomat for Arctic and global issues and the Director of the Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth College. In January 2022, she was named the UArctic Chair in Science Diplomacy and Inclusion.

With over 30 years of experience as a polar scientist working in academia and governance, she is an advocate for policy-engaged scholarship, experiential education, and the support of science policy and diplomacy initiatives advancing sustainability, inclusion, and gender equality in the Arctic and around the world.

Dr. Burkins is a Special Advisor and Assembly Representative to the UArctic global network, an elected member of the Founding Governing Board of the International Science Council (ISC), and Past Chair of the U.S. National Academies' Board on International Scientific Organizations (BISO).

Over the past years, she has served on the UN Office of Disaster Risk Reduction Global Assessment Report (UNDRR-GAR) Advisory Board and 15-Member UNESCO Global Independent Expert Group on Universities and the 2030 Agenda (EGU2030).

Meeting photo: Kaisa Sirén.