Image: Malin Grönborg
The Arctic region and its challenges is a highly prioritized area of interest for Umeå University. Our wide range of subject expertise is something that sets us apart among Arctic universities.
Northern Sweden, Sápmi and the Arctic region are undergoing massive changes regarding culture, climate, health and living conditions.
The geographical position of Umeå University provides us with unique opportunities to contribute with new knowledge of global importance.
At Umeå University, prominent Arctic research is conducted within all our scientific fields: medicine, the arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and technology.
Important research questions covered include:
The Arctic Centre at Umeå University was founded in 2012. The centre provides structure, coordination and strategic direction to Umeå University's wide and diverse network of researchers in the Arctic field. More than 200 researchers are associated with the Arctic Centre, as the centre offers excellent collaboration opportunities.
The Sami flag and the Swedish flag at the Umeå University main campus.
ImageUlrika BergforsUmeå University is housing Sweden's only centre for Sami research: Várdduo. Founded in 2000, the centre works to initiate and coordinate research in Sápmi, on Sami culture, society, history and language.
Várdduo is working in close relationship with Sami institution and organizations to further research based knowledge on Sami issues.
The entrance to the Humanities Building
ImageMattias PetterssonThe Department of Language Studies has a national instruction to offer education in the national minority languages Sami and Meänkieli. Education is also offered in the minority language Finnish. The education in Sami covers both language and culture and is given at all levels. We also conduct research and postgraduate training with a focus on indigenous and minority issues.
Abisko Scientific Research Station.
ImageLars LehnertThe Climate Impact Research Centre (CIRC) is permanently based at the Abisko Scientific Research Station, 250 km inside the Arctic Circle near the northern tip of Sweden.
The research is focusing on the effects of climate and environmental changes in Arctic and alpine ecosystems.
Mio Isenrot is a student at the Nature Guide Programme in Kiruna.
ImageMio IsenrotAt Umeå University, there is an Arctic Graduate School for doctoral students. The school offers close collaboration between students and supervisors, as well as a wide connection network between other arctic universities and their arctic related students and research.
Umeå University has several courses at undergraduate and Master's level in Kiruna, Sweden's northernmost city, and in Abisko.
On several programmes, students can choose to deepen their Arctic perspectives through elective courses.
Umeå University is a long-time member of the North2North student exchange programme, together with universities in Sweden, Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Canada, the United States, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Russia.
Peter Sköld, professor at Umeå University and chair of the board for the University of the Arctic.
ImagePer AxelssonAs one of the largest universities globally in the Arctic region, Umeå University plays an active role in the cooperative network of The University of The Arctic (UArctic).
The Arctic Six is a partnership between six Arctic universities in Sweden, Finland and Norway. By joining forces, the six partner universities aim to lead the way in Arctic issues. A strategic objective for the Artic Six alliance is to apply for and achieve the status of European University.
Arctic Six Chair Danielle Wilde explores ways to reimagine the role of food and food practices in the Arctic.
Arctic Six Chair Björn Norlin will investigate Sámi content in teacher education at northern universities.
Arctic Six Chair Niklas Eklund will address security issues and lead the work for Arctic Security forward.
Arctic Six Chair, Professor Armando Perez-Cueto, will explore sustainable food transitions in the Arctic.
Keith Larson aims to make a real impact in the Arctic by forging stronger links between research and society.
Daniel Metcalfe will initiate a research project on measuring carbon stocks and fluxes in Arctic forests.
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Jan Karlsson, Professor of Natural Geography, studies impacts of climate change on the biogeochemistry and ecology of high latitude aquatic ecosystems. Film: The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation