27 May 2019: Lecture Marije Tempel

With 2210 inhabitants, Longyearbyen is a clear example of a growing settlement in the Arctic. There are several other places in the Arctic that are expected to grow in the coming years. And like Longyearbyen, many of these places have a cultural or geopolitical significance. Industries and interests start to shift and policymakers are trying to reinvent settlements and reorganize community life. But it should not be overlooked that for many people it is their home, where they live their day-to-day life. Getting a better insight into the community perspectives helps to assess possible social effects of governmental interventions. In terms of sustainable developments and energy transition it is important to understand how people perceive a place. What is your Arctic? And which future scenario fits best?

During her Bachelor in Human Geography and Urban Planning she studied for a semester at Queen's university in Canada, developing a special interest for the Arctic. She decided to focus her master program in Cultural Geography on the Arctic region and got involved at the Arctic centre of the University of Groningen. For her Master research she travelled to Svalbard twice. In her thesis she reflected on the Norwegian normalisation policies in Longyearbyen and the economic diversification in the Arctic, by exploring the people and place bonds of Spitsbergen.

During her research she noticed the role of the energy transition in the changing discourse of the Arctic and started to understand the importance of the social and spatial dimension in this transition. After graduation she began her job at the New Energy Coalition; a centre of expertise in renewable energy. In January 2019, she represented the Netherlands at the Emerging Leaders programme of the Arctic Frontiers. Discussing Arctic sustainability with other young professionals.

When: 27 May 2019

Time: 19:30 - 21:30

Location: Arctic Centre, EntranceHerman Colleniusstraat

Fee": € 2,00 - students € 1,00