Co-creating resilient futures in the Arctic through food

"If we lose our food practices, we lose one of the main reasons for why we need to look after our environment."

Danielle Wilde is professor of Design for Sustainability at Umeå Institute of Design. She was recently appointed Arctic Six Chair, which enables her to conduct research and build connections across the Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian North. Her research project aims to reimagine the role of food systems and practices in the Arctic. Beyond addressing pragmatic aspects of food sustainability, the project seeks to shift societal values and narratives towards a more regenerative future. Wilde's work has the potential to create meaningful impacts on the Arctic’s cultural richness on both local and global scales.

A high school dropout who has travelled the world

Danielle Wilde's journey to becoming a leading figure in Arctic research is as unconventional as it is inspiring. As a high school dropout, she has managed to forge her own path through passion and creativity, ultimately earning a Master’s degree in Interaction Design from the Royal College of Art in London. She went on to earn a PhD at Monash University in Melbourne and CSIRO Australia, where her innovative research on the poetics of embodied engagement in technology design earned her the university medal. Wilde has received a lot of recognition for her research, among them the Sidney Myer Cultural Fellowship for talent and professional courage, which allowed her to work in Japan and Denmark. She arrived in Umeå in 2022, where she has been busy building relations.

“I am learning about the land and the people, which is forming my work in the most interesting ways,” she says.

People want to be seen, heard and understood, and I believe that the work of letting people and policymakers interact and really listen and understand each other can create a tremendous impact.

Wants to reimagine new futures through Arctic food systems

Wilde's research project within the role of Arctic Six Chair is called “Arctic Food Citizenship” and focuses on developing food systems in the Arctic by using embodied design and participatory research methods. The idea is to collaborate with Sámi communities, public authorities, and other stakeholders, and use food as a way to co-create, shape and empower new ways to imagine our futures. She elaborates that a shift in our way of thinking can make a big change, and a great space to allow that to happen is by preparing and sharing a meal with people who have different power relations.

“If we can get everyone thinking in new ways, then there are different choices that people can be empowered to make in their lives. With this way of working, the food serves as a ticket to talk about difficult things in an environment that is friendly, social, and non-confrontational, and where people listen to each other,” she explains.

Wilde emphasizes that this scientific approach highlights the importance of centering the perspectives of those directly impacted by policies and practices.

“My job is to give everyday people a voice so they can share their issues and concerns with decision-makers who then can make societal changes that make sense for the people,” she says.

Hopes to support and empower communities

Danielle Wilde envisions her research project as a catalyst for change in the Arctic and beyond. She aims to secure funding to support the participation of diverse stakeholders, and to build strong relationships that enable meaningful collaboration. Wilde's work underscores the importance of a holistic approach to societal transition, one that integrates cultural practices, identity, and environmental stewardship. By facilitating dialogue and co-creating ways forward, Wilde seeks to empower communities to act with both personal and collective responsibility.

“People want to be seen, heard and understood, and I believe that the work of letting people and policymakers interact and really listen and understand each other can create a tremendous impact,” she concludes.

Danielle Wilde's diverse experiences have shaped her unique approach to research, and her visionary work in the Arctic highlights the power of innovative research to tackle complex challenges and drive sustainable change. Her dedication to embodied design and participatory methods offers a promising path towards a more resilient and thriving future for the Arctic and beyond.