Interconnections between Mobilities and Security in a Changing Arctic

The Arctic region is experiencing substantial changes due to climate change, resulting in increased temperatures and melting sea ice. These changes are driving higher levels of activity, such as maritime transportation, oil and gas exploration, and other human endeavors. Current research on Arctic mobility has primarily focused on sea ice movement, population migration, shipping, and transport infrastructure, as well as the impacts on indigenous communities. Simultaneously, geopolitical tensions, particularly due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have heightened the focus on state-centric security approaches, emphasizing military preparedness to safeguard national interests.

Traditional security concerns are increasingly recognized as insufficient in addressing the multifaceted challenges of the Anthropocene, where human and planetary activities are deeply intertwined. The concept of "comprehensive security" has emerged to encompass environmental, economic, energy, societal, and human security, promoting a broader, more inclusive framework. However, this approach has its limitations, such as insufficient attention to non-human security. The "new mobilities" paradigm, which studies the dynamic interconnectedness of various movements, may offer valuable insights for security studies in the Arctic, highlighting the complex interplay of physical and discursive phenomena within the region.

Consequently, this Ph.D. thesis aims to explore the complex interaction of physical and discursive phenomena within the evolving frameworks of mobilities and security in the Arctic region. The research delves into the interconnectedness of physical changes (like new energy and transport infrastructure and altered landscapes) and narrative elements within socio-environmental and geopolitical contexts in the Arctic. It critically analyses the internal relationships that both shape and are shaped by the emerging Arctic mobility-security dynamic, attempting to enhance theoretical understandings and create practical solutions that align with the emerging challenges in the Arctic.