University of Eastern Finland
The University of Eastern Finland, UEF, is one of the largest universities in Finland. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research, the university seeks to cross traditional boundaries between different disciplines. Underscoring interdisciplinarity in its activities, the university's key strategic research areas are built around four global challenges. These challenges are Ageing, lifestyles and health; Learning in a digitised society; Cultural encounters, mobilities and borders; and Environmental change and sufficiency of natural resources.
Climate change constitutes a major challenge for the future of mankind, and the effects of climate change are especially tangible in the Arctic. Research relating to climate change is carried out in several fields of research at UEF. Currently, the key topics include extensive research into atmospheric aerosols as well as into the adaptation and survival of plants and animals in the Arctic environment.
Climate change also plays a diverse role in the lives of people living in the Arctic. The university’s research in the field of social sciences addresses the region's history, inhabitants, tourism, policy-making and environmental governance. Furthermore, the Arctic region's natural resources, their use and the related economic consequences constitute interesting topics of research also in the future.
The university’s research groups work closely with national organisations such as the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Finnish Environment Institute and the Natural Resources Institute Finland, and also international collaboration in research is very strong and active.