Accepted Poster
Poster Short Abstract
In a rapidly changing Arctic dimension, the implementation of community science approaches in research can foster collaboration between Western scientists and indigenous communities, promoting a deeper comprehension of polar environments and the preservation of their bio-cultural integrity.
Poster Abstract
The Arctic is home of diverse indigenous peoples that keep a centuries-old knowledge of their environment, which they still are close related with. At the same time, their communities have to face with the enduring legacy of colonization: poverty, alcoholism, various forms of abuse and the loss of traditional cultures. In this context, the very word “research” can suggest predatory dynamics, involving scientists visiting communities, extracting data and leaving with no further communication about their achievements. Focusing on people involvement, community and citizen science approaches represent powerful tools to help reshape Arctic research culture with the opportunity to align research goals with community priorities, improve power-balances and ensure the dissemination of results. In 2025, we visited Tasiilaq, a remote settlement in East Greenland. The journey was aimed at exploring the opportunities to develop an interdisciplinary research project in collaboration with local people to save their invaluable bio-cultural heritage, threatened by globalization dynamics. We applied LICCI protocol guidelines (https://www.licci.eu/) to approach the investigation of relationships with key components of local environment (animals, plants, weather patterns and ice dynamics), to trace changes induced by climate change (winter hunting routes, sea ice formation) and recognize past landscapes through historical photos. Our experience suggested how, leveraging on individual observational skills and empirical knowledge, citizen science and participatory could offer innovative approaches and methodologies to assess changes and predict impacts or opportunities associated with global changes in the Arctic.
Poster Session