Research back at ya! As a parting gesture and small payback for all the help people in Svalbard have given me with my research, I thought it might be fun/interesting/fair to subject myself to the same questions I have been asking. As with all the interviews I have undertaken, I start with the general questions I ask everyone. I usually then move on to some more specific, context dependant ones – so, I’ll do a couple of answers to common questions, then leave it open for you to ask whatever you want! Enjoy…
I’ve been here two months now and I spent 3 weeks here last summer as well. I certainly have only seen a fraction of this place and only in summer time. No, it’s definitely not home, but I am certainly beginning to feel like it could be if I wanted it to be and I have felt very welcome here.
What did you first come to do?
I came here first and foremost for research as part of my PhD. There isn’t really anything I have done here that hasn’t contributed to that, given the broad nature of the research!
What attracted you to Svalbard?
When I saw the PhD advertised and looked up Svalbard (I had to check it was where I thought it was and that it wasn’t just the land of amoured bears in Phillip Pullman’s Northern Lights!) and realised there is a fascinating mix of activities going on here, all connected in one way or another to valuing ‘natural resources’. I got very interested and intrigued by how they all come together, and academically by how the concept of value could be used to analyse this. I then had to ask myself some big questions: do I really want to do a PhD? Do I really want to go to the Arctic (I’m pretty well-known for being a hot-weather kind of person!)? In the end I decided I was ready for the challenge on both counts.
What are the important aspects of living in Svalbard that you value? That others value?
Hmm, I don’t think I am experienced enough to answer this properly yet. I know a lot of people in Longyearbyen place a great value on the small, close community with lots of social and cultural activities going on. Of course a huge element for a lot of people is ‘the nature’, the ‘wilderness’, the landscape and easy access to it. On the occasions I have been out of town, it has been pretty mind-blowing.
What kinds of activities do you get involved with here, what do you do in your spare time?
Spare time?! A lot of the time when I am not out interviewing, I am developing more contacts and arranging more research activities, reading and blogging about my research. I’ve had time for a few trips out as well, which will also inform my research. I’ve had fun doing all of it though so I can’t complain. I like to go for the odd run around town and meet up with friends when I can too, and I joined the Fotoklubb, which has been fun. Now I’m looking forward to catching up with my acro-yoga sunshine buddies and noise-making mates (Cor Gobaith and fledgling fake band, Organic Apocalypse) back home now :), and everyone else of course…
Are there any particular challenges or issues to living in Svalbard for you?
Prices! It really is expensive to live here without getting a Norwegian wage. I’ve also struggled a little being a temporary student here outside the remit of UNIS activities – finding somewhere to live and meaning rifles and other safety equipment needs to be rented. I have been cooped up in town for a large amount of time – but this was also helpful so I couldn’t get too distracted from the research and I have found some creative ways to get out and about.
Are there any local issues you are following or care about?
Yes, several. I am particularly interested in the future developments in terms of energy, growth, environmental protection and the ways in which such decisions are made, the effects of climate change and small-scale environmental projects like Brutikken and Polar Permaculture…but this is all part of the research as well. I can’t really separate out my cares and interests neatly.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the future (policies, behaviours…?)
Of course, but I feel I am not really in a position to demand them since I am leaving! I suspect my write ups will hint towards some directions though.
Do you think your life in Svalbard matches with your life values generally?
This has been a bit of an artificial, temporary existence for me where I am focussed soley on work: which I emphasise, has been really good fun. However, the most important person to me is missing and I am usually much more social, active and make myself have more leisure time. If I were to be here longer, then maybe but I might find it more difficult to live as a ‘greenie’ here more than elsewhere! I can certainly connect with the importance of getting outside, connecting with the surroundings and making social connections though.
What does the idea of nature mean to you?
This is a big one. My thoughts about this are all entangled with the many theories and ideas I have read over the last decade or so as well as the many different kinds of landscapes and environments I have experienced on my travels (both virtual and real). You will often see that I use the term ‘nature’ tentatively as I don’t see this as a simple category which can be defined, and to acknowledge that humans are a part of ‘nature’, not separate, is fundamental to my position I think. That we destroy our own habitat so readily, with such short-sightedness, and have even less regard for other living beings is a longstanding dissappointment to me. I don’t really believe in the existence of a completely untouched nature, or pristine wilderness. The airbourne pollution and climate effects of emissions know no boundaries. However, I can see that to be able to experience a landscape devoid of obvious human interference is a very special, humbling and therapeutic privilige and one which is available in Svalbard.
Why did you choose to research Svalbard and what is the value of this research?
Though tensions between resource extraction, science and tourism exist in many many places, the idea of investigating these tensions where climate change ‘happens first’ and in communities who have these three activities as their only main activities was very interesting to me. The unique political situation afforded by the Svalbard Treaty was also a factor as well as the fact that most research looking at nature-culture relations in the Arctic is focussed on indiginous societies, unlike Svalbard. As to the value of the research, well it will depend on what the writing process brings out. The process of asking questions, being here and being interested in the human geography of Svalbard may have had some minor effects in itself, or at least gotten people thinking perhaps. More broadly, I hope my work can broaden public knowledge about social life in Svalbard, but also further understandings of how we deal with such tensions and potentially how the processes of valuation in Svalbard and beyond could be improved upon.
Will you come back to Svalbard?
The short answer is maybe. At the moment, my research plan and funding does not include another trip. Life after PhD is a huge unknown. I feel like I have unfinished business with Svalbard though and being here in dark season and winter/spring would be a huge insight. I’d also love to explore more of the place…so we’ll see!
How do you imagine Svalbard in the future (10 year time and 100 years time)?
I have heard so many different answers to this question that I’m not sure I have my own opinion anymore! Maybe I’ll go for what I see as an ideal combination. In 10 years time I hope that the coal mining will be just about coming to an end and other activities are ready to take the main stage: so port logistics, eco-tourism, research and education, maybe something else?? I would love to see the vision of Longyearbyen, or even the whole of Svalbard as a net zero-emission place realised. I think this is possible, carbon capture and storage, some solar energy, perhaps a waste to energy plant…it would be great to see ambitious action towards this at least accompanied with strong political intent and investment. Always the optimist…
So, any questions?
samsaville.org 
Interesting discussion.
Q: Do you think it’s possible to square eco-tourism and climate change? By that I mean the transport to get to places, no matter what mode of transport we use.
I’m not sure. I guess it depends what other mitigation we take. I think it would be unrealistic and a step backwards for everyone to stop travelling, but we surely don’t need to do so much of it so often and we don’t always need to fly. Most eco-tourism ignores the travel aspect however. Though some companies acknowledge it and offer offset opportunities, not many. The focus is on what happens when you get there, which is to some extent fair enough – operators are hardly likely to try and dissuade you for coming to visit them. Which leads to…action from above/ from consumers …???
Interesting points, and also does it depend on the person’s lifestyle back home? eg are veg*ns ‘allowed’ more travel as their diet has less impact on climate change? Do we have a personal allowance of what we can do? Definitely one to discuss when you get back!
What will you miss most about the place? What will you take with you?
Hmm, tough question! I’ll definitely miss the 24 hour light, sweet chirpy snow buntings, watching the ever-changing clouds/mist/sun and landscape, meeting all the interesting people that end up here….
Taking with me, well, I just packed some rocks and Rwandan Tea, how is that for randomness?! And the cheesy answer – good memories, photographs… I think I have enough random stuff to create a Svalbard shrine when I get an office to myself!
Organic Apocalypse awaits your energetic singing! Aly and Regina have things covered until 9pm, but then when they start yawning we need you to take over!
Just to get the facts straight it was 10pm.
Ha ha, well I have ultimate staying power at the moment, but not sure how I’ll react to it getting dark…!
Fair enough, it was bedtime for a work night and people who had already done acro yoga!
I’ve noticed you’ve been staying up very late Sam, wonder how long it will take for your body clock to readjust?
Are you keeping tabs Alyson? Ha ha, beginning to feel it already. My travel plans involves lots of sleeping!