The EU’s (lack of) Arctic expertise: funder, producer but not user of its Arctic knowledge? Competing hierarchies of Arctic expertise

A crucial part of the European Union’s (EU) Arctic policy is the funding of Arctic research. The EU is thus contributing to forming Arctic expertise and knowledge. Notwithstanding, in the history of EU–Arctic relations, the EU has been criticised for its lack of expertise and sensitivities towards the region and its inhabitants. This article addresses this paradox: How can we explain that the EU is both perceived as a major Arctic science enabler and producer of Arctic knowledge whilst still considered ignorant on Arctic topics by Arctic actors? Combining political geography and the notion of ‘co-production’ (Jasanoff, 2004), the paper addresses this situation through three interrelated points. First, it shows how Arctic expertise is used as political legitimacy by Arctic actors and the EU. Secondly, it explores the difference between individual and collective ignorance, knowledge and ‘representations.” Thirdly, it questions the absence of maps in the EU Arctic policy. Analysing the EU’s perceived lack of Arctic knowledge gives possible explanations to the difficulty of the EU to find its place in Arctic governance and highlights the ambiguity of the regional governance vis-à-vis ‘external’ actors. Ultimately, it shows how the Arctic governance and the EU’s (lack of) Arctic expertise are co-produced.