Last January 29, 2026 Sarah Evan’s MSc was formally approved at the University of Helsinki. Sarah is the first NordBorN MSc student, and her thesis investigated the perspectives of Icelandic stakeholders on borealization. The title of Sarah’s thesis was: “The Borealisation of Icelandic Terrestrial Ecosystems: Mapping the Stakeholder Landscape”, and you can read a brief summary below. Congratulations Sarah!
Changes in climate and land-use are driving boreal species’ expansion upslope and poleward; this borealisation of terrestrial environments will have wide-ranging socio-ecological consequences. Continued research is needed for effective policy development that mitigates the more adverse consequences of borealisation. Yet it is equally crucial to engage with relevant stakeholders early on in research and decision-making processes.
Before engagement, stakeholders need to be first identified and prioritised. The thesis achieved this first step by (a) assessing current discourses and perspectives on borealisation through preliminary engagement (interviews), (b) identifying stakeholders’ positions toward borealisation according to their relative interest and salience, and (c) analysing the social network in which stakeholders interact.
The results of the thesis produced a refined selection of stakeholders with whom engagement should be prioritised. The identified stakeholders possess different perspectives on borealisation, and their input can ensure decisions effectively address borealisation’s localised consequences. The thesis also emphasised the importance of intermediaries able to accommodate for challenges in cross-communication and improve collaborative outcomes.
Vatnshornsskógur was one of the forested areas that came up in discussions about borealization with Icelandic stakeholders (photo credit Sarah Evans)