A Robust ´Norden´? Studies of Cross-Border Crisis Management

Reinforced national border controls in the Nordic region during covid-19 was a consequence of the Nordic governments’ inability to coordinated action in a time of crisis. This left the people in the border-areas severely negatively affected.

The Nordic governments have committed to collaboration for the purpose of a ‘robust Norden’; a region prepared for urgent and unforeseen events. Why has this prolonged Nordic collaboration not reached further?

Our research-project departs from a real-world problem and is carefully set out to utilize and further develop existing knowledge about it.

The prospects for neighboring states to efficiently coordinate responses to crises is the puzzle that motivates this research-project.

The project aims at a substantial contribution to the existing knowledge about 1) joint crisis preparation processes and 2) the causal links between the phases of joint crisis preparation and joint crisis response. We will reach our aim through a stepwise approach of question-guided and comparative empirical inquiry.

We will conduct comparisons between and within the Nordic states, including interviews, phone surveys, and public polls.

The knowledge contribution will have value also for decision makers and practitioners, both in the field of crisis management and within Nordic cooperation.