Södertörn University kindly invites scholars from all disciplines to celebrate the first Swedish Small Island Study Conference. The conference will bring together scholars, island experts, island communities and practitioners to present and discuss research within the field of small island studies.

BACKGROUND

The National Swedish Network for Small Island Research kindly invites scholars from all disciplines to celebrate the first Swedish Small Island Study Conference. The main purpose of the conference is to bring together scholars, island experts, island communities and practitioners to present and discuss currently ongoing research results and new research ideas within the field of island research. The conference will also support cooperation between academy and society by offering a space to discuss and formulate new research projects of high relevance for island societies. The conference is organized by Södertörn University, University of Gothenburg, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and The Swedish National Archipelago Confederation.

RATIONALE
Island research is an expanding research area and there is an extensive need for conceptual development as well as for more empirical knowledge. Islands are more vulnerable to environmental risks and to the consequences of climate change. Islands are also highly sensitive to demographic change.
Island studies is still an upcoming topic in Sweden and in the Nordic and Baltic Sea context. Due to their location, islands in these regions have historically been a link in the geopolitical relations between the East and the West. In recent centuries, islands have been important trading centers in these regions. In modern times, islands have become increasingly important places of recreation which have led to the decline of traditional livelihoods and to the rise of the tourism industry.

Recently, islands have become important pieces in the political puzzle to promote progress and development in all the territories of Europe, not the least through article 174 in the Lisbon Treaty. Islands are perceived as harbors for future clean-tech development and as “locomotives in the European energy transition”, which will be achieved by promoting innovations, entrepreneurship and business development. In the current geopolitical context, the energy transition of islands has become more urgent. Furthermore, from a geopolitical point of view, islands in the Baltic Sea area are key strategic locations in the military balance of the region.

We welcome state-of-the-art research from all disciplines, but also early stage research and ideas. Below, we list some of the most relevant current topics. However, scholars covering other topics are also welcome.
• Civil society, cooperation, dialogue and island-mainland interactions.
• Island policies, government and governance issues.
• Business life, business conditions, livelihoods, sectoral studies and economic institutions.
• Social and welfare issues, social infrastructure, healthcare and schools.
• Sustainability, environmental issues, climate change, resource management and knowledge.
• Islands as cultural landscapes.
• Island history.
• Island culture – yesterday, today and tomorrow.
• The image of islands and archipelagos.

PUBLICATIONS AND OUTPUT

Scholars presenting at our national meeting will have the opportunity to participate in a Special Issue in Rural Landscapes, an indexed, peer reviewed journal. https://www.rurallandscapesjournal.com/. Scholars who want to participate in the special issue need to state so in their conference registration message.

TIMETABLE:
Registration and abstracts: 15th of May
Full papers: 24th of September.
Work-in-progress, oral presentations, or posters: October 1st.

For more information, please contact Enter forum at Södertörn University at enter@sh.se
We look forward to meeting you in October,

Paulina Rytkönen Lotten Hjelm
Södertörn University Swedish National Archipelago Confederation

Margaretha Bohlin Håkan Tunón
University of Gothenburg Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences