NEWS Umeå University is strengthening its Arctic profile. Professor Peter Sköld, former Director of the Arctic Centre and now an advisor to the Vice-Chancellor on Arctic affairs, has been elected Chair of the European Polar Board (EPB), an independent organisation that drives strategic priorities in the Arctic and Antarctic. Starting on January 1, 2025, the EPB Secretariat will be based at Umeå University.
Peter Sköld has been an important figure at the EPB since 2018, initially serving as a delegate alongside Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dieter Müller and since 2020 as a member of the Executive Committee. During his time on the committee, he has focused on integrating social science and humanities perspectives into the organisation’s work.
Peter Sköld, advisor to the Vice-Chancellor on Arctic and International Affairs and the new Chair of the EPB.
ImageMattias PetterssonHe has also played a key role in relocating the EPB Secretariat from The Hague to Umeå. In addition, efforts are now being intensified to collaborate with the European Commission in establishing the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO) in connection with the Arctic platform currently under full development at Umeå University.
"Leading the EPB is an inspiring task," says Peter Sköld. "It is crucial to strengthen interdisciplinary perspectives to address the complex challenges faced by the polar regions, both environmentally and socially."
By establishing the EPB Secretariat in Umeå, the university is solidifying its position as a significant actor in polar research and international collaboration.
"The relocation of the EPB Secretariat to Umeå is a recognition of the university’s expertise and our commitment to polar research," continues Sköld. "It opens up new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, both for our researchers and with our international partners."
EPB comprises 31 member organisations from 22 countries and works to strengthen European coordination in polar research through information sharing, infrastructure optimisation, and joint initiatives. With Peter Sköld as Chair and the EPB Secretariat at Umeå University, the university is well-positioned to tackle future challenges and opportunities in polar research.