Eco-Psychology: Arctic Field Studies

About this course

This course is part of the Arctic Experiential Studies: Greenland

Is the current climate crisis only environmental in nature, or does it also have roots that run deeper into our relationships with nature, with one another as humans, and with ourselves?  

Together, we will travel to Greenland to explore psychological areas such as ecopsychology, psychoanalysis, clinical psychology, and humanistic approaches and critical perspectives. We will explore how institutions and governing systems establish norms and standards of normalcy versus disorderliness while deciding whose perspectives or knowledge are valued and whose are disregarded entirely. Moreover, we will try to understand how the legacies of colonialism persist within individuals’ bodies, families, and collective consciousness, molding identities and psychological wellbeing across generations. 

The course emphasizes learning outside of the classroom and takes place outdoors in the Arctic environment, where you can interact directly with your surroundings and people through observation and conversation while engaging in hands-on activities.  

The course is rooted in theory, but also encourages you to explore beyond traditional scientific boundaries and contemplate the influence of local history, culture, and power on our understanding of knowledge, truth, and health. The goal is not to only comprehend concepts intellectually, but also to emotionally connect with them. The course encourages curiosity and exploration rather than providing final answers or solutions. 

Faculty

Eleftherios Saftis

M.Sc. (Health Psychology, City, University of London, U.K., 2000). BSc. Hons. (Psychology, City, University of London, U.K., 1997). Certified in psychotherapy and counseling and in the process of qualifying as a psychoanalyst from the Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research. Co-authored a number of journal articles on post-traumatic stress disorder. Previously, was the Clinical Director of Community Housing and Therapy, a leading UK charity running therapeutic community households for adults with mental health diagnoses. Managed two therapeutic community projects – a project working with homeless veterans suffering from mental health difficulties and a project for individuals with a diagnosis of psychosis and personality disorder. Worked as a psychologist in the Greek Army. With DIS since 2015.