Circumpolar studies is the
interdisciplinary study of regions located on and above the
polar circle. As such, circumpolar studies embraces wider than Arctic studies, which deals with the
Arctic sensu stricto. Classified as
regional studies, circumpolar studies finds a parallel in
European studies,
African studies,
Latin American studies, and so on. Gaining increased prominence in the wake of post-
Cold War initiatives like the
Arctic Council, circumpolar studies is maintained as an independent field of study by
universities like the
University of Alaska Fairbanks and
Nord University and recognised as ditto by
publishers like
Berghahn Books. Based on a degree model developed by the
University of the Arctic, over twenty educational institutions in
circumpolar regions offer circumpolar studies at
undergraduate level, including
bachelor's degrees and short-term programmes. There is also a
French university offering circumpolar studies at graduate level. The Arctic Centre at the
University of Groningen publishes an eponymous series with biennial volumes, while the
Journal of Northern Studies is published at
Umeå University. Related research centres include the
Center for Northern Studies at Nord University. == References ==