Anna Krook-Riekkola, Professor of Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.
26 November 2025
Contributes to a new encyclopedia aiming to change the image of the Arctic
Arctic Encyclopaedia is a new book project that seeks to broaden the perception of the Arctic and highlight the region’s significance to the world. Through words, images, and stories, the book captures both everyday life and visions of the future in the North. Among more than 200 contributors from 36 countries is researcher Anna Krook-Riekkola from Luleå University of Technology, who contributes the word pathways, a concept that reflects her research on sustainable futures.
The book offers a multifaceted view of the Arctic, beyond stereotypes of cold and isolation. Each contributor has chosen a word that connects to their work or experience of the region. Together, these entries form a collection of perspectives that reveal the Arctic’s cultural, economic, and human diversity.
“This word, pathways, captures something very central to my work. To me, it is about the choices we face and the fact that the future is not predetermined,” says Anna Krook-Riekkola, Professor of Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.
Want to convey a sense of participation
She describes the energy system as a large socio-technical system where technology, economy, politics, and human behavior are intertwined. The decisions made today will shape which paths are possible in the years to come.
“I want to convey a sense of participation and possibility. We influence the future all the time, both when we make active choices and when we choose not to act. The energy transition can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we can help steer the direction,” she says.
Behind the publication stands the Arctic Economic Council, an organization promoting sustainable economic development in the North. Among the contributors are prime ministers, EU commissioners, and young voices shaping the future of the Arctic.
The printed edition of Arctic Encyclopaedia is limited to 300 copies, while the digital version is freely available to the public. The aim is to spark interest and spread knowledge about the Arctic as a living and changing part of the world.
“It is an honor to contribute to a work that brings together so many different perspectives,” says Anna Krook-Riekkola.
Related reading
- Models show the way but people make the choices
Anna Krook-Riekkola on her research
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Anna Krook-Riekkola
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