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Innovation in the Arctic: Squaring the Circle

Innovation in the Arctic: Squaring the Circle. Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot Managing Editor, Arctic Yearbook Strategist for Outreach and Indigenous Engagement, University of Saskatchewan Arctic Summer College Fellow, 2015. Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Creative Class.

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Innovation in the Arctic: Squaring the Circle

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  1. Innovation in the Arctic:Squaring the Circle Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot Managing Editor, Arctic Yearbook Strategist for Outreach and Indigenous Engagement, University of Saskatchewan Arctic Summer College Fellow, 2015

  2. Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Creative Class • The global economy is shifting from a manufacturing and industrial base to one driven by services and technology. • The new economy is driven by and will benefit the creative class (scientific, artistic, entrepreneurial or technological). • The creative class clusters in large cities. Where does this leave rural and remote areas? Where does this leave the Arctic?

  3. Barriers to Arctic Innovation • Many existing technologies could help address chronic issues of food insecurity, energy insecurity, health and education accessibility, and better quality housing and infrastructure. But: • Lack of educational attainment & STEM proficiency • Dominance of public sector • Conservative nature of rural communities = risk adverse, less entrepreneurial, no capital, prioritize local knowledge • No economy of scale inhibits commercialization • High entry costs in extractive industry • Lack of telecommunications infrastructure

  4. Strategies Going Forward • Governments have readily embraced and supported concepts of innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization. But it’s hard to “program” this. • Wicked problem – is the solution to make northern communities more like urban areas? • Need to build capacity amongst Northerners themselves to identify, develop and commercialize innovations that support northern living. Education, networks, and regional economies are being promoted.

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