Umeå University equips future scholars to address Arctic challenges

Eight doctoral students from the Arctic Graduate School recently returned from a study trip to Kiruna. The journey, which combined visits to the Institute of Space Physics and the Kiruna Mine with participation in the Forum for Arctic and Antarctic, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research in polar regions.

Guided visit to the Institute of Space Physics (IRF) for doctoral students from the Arctic Graduate School.

Image Anngelica Kristoferqvist

From space to underground

Richard Johansson, doctoral student at the Arctic Graduate School at Umeå University, giving a presentation

Image Anngelica Kristoferqvist

The trip began at the Institute of Space Physics (IRF), where the group learned about doctoral student Richard Johansson's research project on trace gases.

This was followed by a guided tour of the world-famous Kiruna Mine - a fascinating contrast between high-tech space research and industrial innovation.

Guided visit to the Kiruna Mine tunnels for doctoral students from the Arctic Graduate School

Image Anngelica Kristoferqvist

Forum for the future

The highlight of the trip was the Forum for Arctic and Antarctic, where doctoral students met leading experts in polar research. Discussions centered on current topics such as climate change and security issues in the Arctic.

"This trip is part of our graduate school and gives doctoral students a chance to deepen their knowledge of Arctic issues from multiple perspectives," explains Anngelica Kristoferqvist, Education Coordinator at the Arctic Centre at Umeå University. She continues:

These types of experiences are valuable for building networks and understanding current and future challenges in the Arctic.

The Forum for Arctic and Antarctic could not have come at a more opportune time. Sweden is set to take over the chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2027, an intergovernmental forum for Arctic cooperation. According to Arctic expert Douglas Nord, it is crucial that Sweden begins shaping its vision for the chairmanship now.

Audience at the Forum for Arctic and Antarctic 2024

Image Anngelica Kristoferqvist

Preparations are also underway for the International Polar Year 2032/2033, a global research initiative aimed at promoting cooperation and increasing understanding of polar regions, where Sweden can play a significant role.

Interdisciplinary strength

The eight doctoral students represent a broad spectrum of disciplines - from business economics to physics, from history to environmental science. This diversity perfectly reflects the complexity of current Arctic issues and the importance of interdisciplinary perspectives in polar research.

Paul Schmidt, one of the doctoral students at the Arctic Graduate School at Umeå University

Image Anngelica Kristoferqvist

Paul Schmidt, a doctoral student in political science, emphasizes the value of the trip:

Being part of the Arctic Graduate School provides us with unique opportunities to participate in events that would otherwise be difficult to secure funding for and organize independently.