The post-industrial nature of work has caused a drastic decline in the availability of local work in rural communities, with the result that many formerly thriving communities are now struggling economically and faced with dwindling populations. A particular consequence is the strikingly low proportion of women and younger generations.

In this presentation, doctoral candidate Bui Petersen discusses how the very masculine nature of extractive industries work, while providing a substantial economic benefit, has furthered the traditional gendered nature of rural communities, something that may be at odds with young women’s more contemporary values and identities.

Drawing on examples from the Faroe Islands and comparisons with Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Petersen argues that in order to fully address rural sustainability we need put greater attention on social factors that make people want to stay and not just on the economic development.