In progress. On April 2, LivingLab North will start its first workshop. – We are looking forward to getting started, it will be exciting to see what the group comes up with, says Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi, co-lead for the project.
C2B2’s third LivingLab is now in the starting blocks, LivingLab North with a focus on the Gulf of Bothnia.
– We’re about to send out invitations to a range of stakeholders and are really looking forward to the first workshop on April 2, says Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi, co-lead for the project.
The Norrland coast has been in the spotlight for several years for several initiatives in the green transition of industry. In addition to Northvolt – currently in a tough period – much has been about green steel. Such as Stegra in Boden and Hybrit (SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall) in Luleå, two projects where hydrogen will replace coal as a catalyst.
Stakeholders from different sectors
Both companies are examples of stakeholders who could contribute to innovative thinking in the work that LivingLab North is now about to start, where companies, government organizations and others who need to use the ocean in one way or another are involved.
– Parts of the green steel will probably be transported by water, so they are included in the target group, says Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi.
Other types of stakeholders are companies that build offshore wind farms, tour boat operators, fishermen, government agencies, environmental organizations and more.
– The most important thing is that we get a representative group of participants from different sectors.
The idea is to bring together the different actors with an interest in the marine environment, and for them to meet in various workshops arranged by LivingLab North. There, they will try to find out together what sustainable ocean management could look like.
Because as more and more actors see the sea as an arena where they want to operate, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the marine environment to meet everyone’s needs without becoming overloaded.
LivingLabs is a proven method in the social sciences. Research where participants create by acting together. In C2B2’s LivingLabs, it is important that those involved have both the ability and capacity to look up and look for sustainable solutions for coexistence.
– A major advantage of the job is that we have access to all researchers and technicians affiliated with C2B2.
Support from other LivingLabs
Now that Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi and her colleagues in LivingLab North are about to start their work, they benefit from the fact that two other LivingLabs within C2B2 are already up and running – on the West Coast and in the Baltic Sea proper. There are now some lessons learned there about how to sharpen the grindstone.
– Yes, I have had a lot of contact with them, they have provided important input.
Her own background is in the social sciences. A year ago she received her doctorate in political science, with a thesis on crisis preparedness and civil defense with a focus on Swedish municipalities and their preparedness.
Research that, to put it mildly, timed the development of society very well.
“I’ve received many requests to participate in panels and discussions on the subject, she says.
She is now carrying out her work within C2B2 within the framework of her postdoc. A work that she believes is part of and contributes to good things in society, not least in view of all the climate-related challenges.
– An exciting assignment, says Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi.
Footnote: The work within LivingLab North is hosted by Umeå University. The work is led by Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi together with Nick Kamenos, who is a professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geosciences and director of the Umeå Marine Research Center (UMF). The group also includes Camilla Sandström, professor of political science, and environmental analyst Siv Huseby from UMF,
Facts: Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi
Age: 43 years old.
Lives: Vännäs.
Family: Husband.
Interests: Cooking, traveling and gardening.
Watch: Disaster movies and hospital series.
Drive: VW Passat, but mostly takes the train in everyday life.
Facts: Experts who help in LL North
Connected to LivingLabs North are some of the C2B2 employees who are active in various work packages of the research program: Siv Huseby, Umeå University (WP1), Luis Sanchez-Heres, RISE (WP2), Karina Barquet, SEI (WP3), and Kirsten de Vette and Angelo Jonas Imperiale, IHE Delft (WP4).
More info: Do you work with an activity that you think fits into LL North and want to be part of the ongoing work? Send an e-mail to Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi.
More information: Do you work in a field that aligns with LivingLab North’s mission and want to get involved? Email Johanna Karlsson Bazarschi for more information.