Arctic Capital and Indigenous Peoples: a Postcolonial Critique of an Ecologically Unequal Exchange
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New Voices in Cultural Relations competition 2025 – Special Commendation
The British Council, in partnership with the British International Studies Association (BISA), launched the New Voices in Cultural Relations prize in 2024 – a competition aimed at recognising exceptional Master’s dissertations that contribute new scholarly insights or propose innovative policy directions in the field of international relations. The prize recognises and promotes the achievements of students on Master’s programmes in international relations in the UK.
The runner up of the 2025 prize is Aurelie Crawford, an alumna of Oxford Brookes University.
Aurelie’s dissertation is a case study on the effects of capital accumulation on the governance of land and natural resources by indigenous peoples of coastal Alaska and Greenland. It identifies an ecologically unequal exchange (EUE) taking place between these two peripheral Arctic regions with a core concerned with a green transition due to a changing climate. Alaska and Greenland are both undergoing transitions in their economies and geographies due to climate change; the study focuses on the indigenous governance of fish in coastal Alaska, and rare-earth minerals in Greenland, which are mined for green technologies.
Judging panel’s feedback
This is a well-researched, well-written dissertation addressing a significant topic on Arctic capital, Indigenous peoples, and neocolonial governance, using a postcolonial critique of unequal ecological exchange. It demonstrates strong engagement with the literature, a clear methodology, and thoughtful research questions. The dissertation draws together a vast range of research and theoretical frameworks in a rich and original analysis.
Citation
Crawford, A. (2025). Arctic capital and indigenous peoples: a postcolonial critique of an ecologically unequal exchange. British Council. https://doi.org/10.57884/PTD8-XX80
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