ARCTOS MU​

About​

The objective of the project is to investigate the impact of climate change and human activities on natural environment in the Arctic. The research focuses on both the challenges and risk assessment in terrestrial ecosystems. The research team will investigate the relation of natural environment changes to the human-to-environment interaction, as well as the consequences for the geopolitical, legal and security developments in the Arctic region. Based on gained findings, the team will develop risks analysis and recommendations for mitigating the impact of environmental changes on the natural environment and population in the specific Arctic territories.

One of the key outputs of the project is the ARCTOS MU: ARCTIC Centre for Human-to-Environment Oriented Studies (ARCTOS) at Masaryk University (MU). By establishing the Centre, MU will (i) directly contribute to encouraging interdisciplinary innovative research with high added value and international impact, (ii) enhance the prestige of the Arctic-related research, and (iii) increase international cooperation. The interdisciplinary team will be composed of eight scientists with different specialization from three faculties of the Masaryk University – Faculty of Social Studies, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Law. The Centre will serve as a platform for enhancing future interdisciplinary research and cooperation with the ambition to succeed in international prestigious grant applications.

Innovative aspects of the project lie in the interdisciplinary character of the Arctic research across different specializations – natural science, social science and law, which has not been combined and investigated yet. Additionally, the project is unique due to its specific science communication and dissemination of research findings, which aims at four levels of audiences – (i) academic community, (ii) policymakers, (iii) general public, and (iv) students. In addition, the research project supports the inclusion of female scientists.

Research sub-questions

1. What are the natural risks connected to climate change in the Arctic?
2. How does natural environment in the Arctic react to climate change and human activities and what scope of international law governs the Arctic affairs in this context?
3. What geopolitical challenges does the Arctic face in relation to climate change, Arctic strategies and current trends in international relations and how international law reflects the changing Arctic affairs?
4. What are common security challenges and threats in the Arctic and how international law reacts on these new challenges?
5. How individual Arctic states’ armed forces adapt to climate change and how the use of force is reflected in international law?