Project Summary
The proliferation of dual-use technology across the Arctic presents a double-edged sword for Arctic communities. On the one hand, new innovations in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, geoengineering, ocean and environmental monitoring, communications systems, and satellite and outer space infrastructures offer new opportunities for sustainable development and for supporting fragile communities. On the other hand, they pose substantial risks as state and non-state actors mobilise new technologies in ways that heighten geopolitical and geo-economic competition and insecurity. To date, much research on dual-use technologies emphasises military threats and risks that they pose. This aim of this project is to focus on different conceptualisations of security – in environmental, societal, and economic domains – to better understand how the use and deployment of dual-use technologies enhance, or not, the resilience of Arctic communities. To achieve this, the project will develop a network of researchers exploring regional, national, and sub-national case studies of different dual-use technologies and their effects within the region.
The project team combines established expertise in international relations, security studies, international political economy, and economic geography. Applicants are directly involved in ongoing research on outer space and space infrastructures, undersea cables and their management, security and sustainability in and outside the Arctic, environmental monitoring, and community resilience and preparedness in the High North. Building on this expertise, the project will establish a network of early-career and experienced researchers working across these themes by hosting and funding early-career participation in an open workshop on dual-use technology, security, and community resilience in the Arctic. The workshop will be structured around concept notes on this theme prepared by participants for discussion over two days. The aim is for these to underpin development of an international grant application to a large Nordic or European funder and potential inclusion in a special issue to be co-edited by the applicants.
Date and Location:
February 2027, Iceland
IASC Working Groups funding the Project:
Project Lead
Adam Fishwick (University of Iceland)
Year funded by IASC
2026
Project Status
Upcoming