MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTRE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OULU FOCUS ON THE NORTH AND THE ARCTIC
k r a m
u a r e e k
a v sku
Science for fostering Research centre
RESEARCH
The Thule Institute is a multidisciplinary research centre at the University of Oulu. Our key scientific research and doctoral training is committed to the environment, natural resources and northern communities. Our strengths include active networking at national and international levels.
The basis of the Institute’s research consists of a research programme including internationally evaluated research groups. The research groups are led by professors and senior scientists at the University of Oulu.
The research themes broadly cover the University’s fields of research. We co-operate with the University faculties, other universities and research institutes, and business. We promote the exchange of knowledge between researchers, students and other actors through multidisciplinary research and joint conferences and seminars.
The researchers study the earth’s physical, climatic and ecosystem changes and the well-being of people in the north. The research encompasses temporal and spatial levels of change in climate and environment, including questions arising from the increased use of resources in the sensitive northern region. The knowledge gained is integrated into socio-cultural and economic models to provide valid information for society. The expertise of tomorrow in environmental, northern and arctic issues is built on research and associated doctoral training.
A Northern future Main Research Themes
Doctoral training
Climate Change Dynamics, Impacts and Adaptation investigates interactions between climate change, ecosystems and natural processes and dialogue between the actors in the field.
The Thule Institute coordinates one of the doctoral programmes of the University of Oulu Graduate School.
Human Health and Community Well-being studies northern communities and individuals when affected by global, economic, environmental and technological changes. Sustainable Resources Management focuses on research connected to water and land resources, biodiversity and ecology, as well as resource management and control, including uncertainty and conflict mediation.
The framework of doctoral training is consistent with the themes of the Institute’s research. The underlining drive for the doctoral programme is change in the north and the need to study its impact on ecosystems and societies, and to find sustainable mitigation solutions. The doctoral programme organizes courses, summer and winter schools, and the annual Thule Seminar. The programme offers its members excellent possibilities for national and international mobility and multidisciplinary networking.
Benefits OF national and Platform for co-operation Thule Institute operates actively in national and international networks. We take part in research strategy work aimed at focusing research into areas that are important and relevant from the point of view of society. At a national level, our major partner networks are NorNet (the Northern Environmental Research Network), and LYNET (the Finnish Partnership for Research on Natural resources and the Environment). Co-operation shapes a cluster of research, innovation and higher education serving society’s needs. Research station networks and environmental monitoring are key elements in co-operation. Collaboration is carried out through joint research posts, doctoral training, and dissemination of research results at seminars and conferences. The Environmental Sciences Building at the University provides a good platform for co-operation with its 150 researchers.
Our international partner networks include e.g. the University of the Arctic, International Arctic Science Committee, Arctic Council’s working groups, and Barents Cross-Border University. Co-operation through the University of the Arctic (UArctic) covers a network of 150 universities, colleges, and other organizations. The Thule Institute hosts UArctic’s core activities Thematic Networks and UArctic Institutes, which are the key units for developing and conducting international joint research and education, especially at graduate level. International research stations collaboration is channelled through INTERACT (the International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic). The Thule Institute manages the Transnational Access activity of INTERACT. This activity offers scientists free access to conduct research at 20 terrestrial research stations in the northernmost parts of Europe and the Russian Federation.
international nE T WORKS Specialised units The Centre for Arctic Medicine (CAM) promotes research and education in the circumpolar regions. The research is focused on the effects of climate and global change on the health and well-being of indigenous and non-indigenous people. CAM is also leading an international master’s degree programme. The Centre of Northern Environmental Technology (NorTech Oulu) conducts research, education and collaboration in environmental technologies. The research responds to existing and future challenges to northern communities. The main research focus is on waste and resource management, smart energy networks and sustainability assessment.
Centre for Environment and Energy (CEE) fosters research related to eco-innovations in air, water, energy, resource efficiency, and measurement technologies. It is a partner in the Oulu Innovation Alliance (OIA). CEE’s activities are based on research programmes and networking. Oulanka Research Station is located in the middle of the Oulanka National Park in the unique natural environment of the Kuusamo region in north-eastern Finland. The station hosts several annual field courses and international meetings. The research station has an emphasis on the biological and geological sciences. It provides long-term weather and environmental data for the needs of research. The main current research topics are freshwater ecology and plant biology. The research station actively collaborates in research and education networks, including INTERACT and UArctic.
Research and doctoral training related to the northern and arctic environment, natural resources and sustainability. The main research themes are: • Climate Change Dynamics, Impacts and Adaptation • Human Health and Community Well-being • Sustainable Resources Management
Key figures • 20 research groups in the research programme • 100 scientific publications annually • 100 doctoral students in the doctoral programme • 60 members of staff
www.oulu.fi/thuleinstitute
Photos: Kaisa Mustonen, Erkki Alasaarela, Jouko Inkeröinen, Kari Laine
Thule Institute in BRIEF