The scientific scope of the Social and Human Sciences Working Group (SHWG) shall include all aspects of social sciences and humanities research in the Arctic, as well as their connections with other IASC Working Groups. The actual work of the Social & Human Sciences WG is determined by a dynamic list of scientific focus areas.
The geographic scope of the Social and Human Sciences Working Group shall be the Arctic as defined in the map accompanying the Arctic Human Development Report (AHDR). The geographic scope can be extended south where it is appropriate for an understanding of Arctic social and human processes.
Scientific Foci
Disciplinary foci for the Social & Human Working Group are:
- Demographics: COVID impacts in Arctic communities, Monitoring emerging infectious diseases, Arctic Migration.
- Climate Change: Food sovereignty and Security, Social and environmental determinants of Health, Changing landscapes and impacts on community wellness, Community Adaptation
- Arctic Cooperation: Geopolitics and drivers of Arctic Cooperation, Decision making and inclusion in the Arctic political situation, Comparative health and social policies – sharing best practices and evidence informed policy .
- Thriving communities: Cultural wellbeing, Mental wellness, Indigenous Languages, Land based observations and healing
- Land use for Sustainable Livelihoods: Resource development in a changing environment, Land use by Indigenous peoples
Cross-cutting focus - Interdisciplinary work across WG and within SHWG
- Methods: Indigenous methods and knowledges, Methods that support the co-production of knowledge, Align with Interdisciplinary lenses and approaches
- Responsible research practice Ethics for Indigenous and community-based research, Engagement and collaboration with Arctic communities, Equity and Social Justice
- Innovation in knowledge sharing and dissemination: Partnerships and impact with decision makers (ie EU), Use social media to share WG information and project highlights, Virtual collaboration among interest groups, Align with International Declarations Ie UNFCC, IPCC Assessments, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
- Interdisciplinary lenses and approaches: One Health, Planetary Health, Indigenous frameworks and knowledges
- Capacity Building: Supporting early career scientists in WG activities & research, Supporting Indigenous community knowledge holders
Strategic Plan 2023-2027
IASC Social and Human Working Group (SHWG) has an annual budget to invest in science initiatives. They are the most important surplus of SHWG activities. The initiatives correspond respectively to the science and the cross-cutting foci. The foci are continuously revised. In 2022 the SHWG conducted two workshops to update the strategic plan.
