What comes to mind when you think about the future, climate change and the involvement and inclusion of young people in planning and deciding? What do university students in the Arctic region feel in relation to climate change?
These are the questions that the ACAF projects attempts to shed light on by gathering research data on university students’ climate emotions and climate change perceptions in Finland, Sweden and Norway?
During three weeks in November, ACAF researchers Jaana and Venla are spending one week in each country: one at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, one at the Luleå University of Technology, and one at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. Inspired by the method of participant observation, the aim is to be where the people we intend to reach already are. In addition to participating in the everyday fabric of the university space by being there, we talk to people at the campuses with the help of the climate emotions wheel and organise group discussions.
With the climate emotions wheel, students are encouraged to think about their emotions in relation to climate change and indicate which one they relate to. During this interactive exercise, we also discuss with the participants, asking them to elaborate on their choice.
In the group discussions, we dive deeper into climate emotions by, for example, thinking about relations between different emotions, and the relationship between emotions and values on the one hand, and emotions and action on the other. We also consider questions like climate justice, the distinctive context of the Arctic region and its vulnerability to climate change, and thoughts and feelings about the future of the Arctic region.
If you are a student at one of these universities – come stop by at our stand and have a chat!
University of Lapland: 4-7.11.2024, in the university main lobby
Luleå University of Technology: at the Meeting Point in B-building 19.11. and 21.11.; group discussion in room A2011 on Wed 20th beginning at 15:00
Sign up for Luleå group discussion here: click link
Arctic University of Norway: Teorifagsbygget, house 1, 25-28.11.2024; group discussion Wed 27th beginning at 15:00.
Sign up for Troms group discussion here: click link