Gender in Nordic Blue Economies: Initial networking results and future academic research

The SAB network recognised two domains particularly relevant to countries in the Arctic and High North region: (1) coastal, maritime, and marine-based activities, livelihoods, and industries; and (2) gender equality and women’s participation in the labour market, governance and decision making. Nonetheless, the convergence of these two domains seldom materialised in our first review of work advancing the gender dimension in Nordic Blue Economies. The SAB’s initial analysis shows that there is still a clear need for Nordic countries to focus on gender issues in Blue Economy agendas, especially beyond a traditional focus on fisheries.

There are opportunities to learn from individual country contexts where gender research has been more prolific, e.g., Norway and Iceland, and a pressing need to reinforce gender research in e.g., Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Other marine sectors in which to explore gender issues are aquaculture, offshore wind energy, shipping, marine tourism, blue foods and seabed mineral extraction. In the Nordic academic gender research sphere, a need for capacity building due to generational transition has been evidenced; early career researchers require the support and engagement from more senior peers. Consequently, since the Blue Economy highlights the great potential of an ocean economy that boosts innovation and employment, gender research needs to be strengthened and receive sustained support to ensure inclusiveness and equality across the maritime Nordic and Arctic regions.