Arctic Challenges: Navigating Shared Futures

Leading into the Arctic Circle Assembly, the University of the Arctic and the University of Iceland invite you to a conference on October 15, from 13:00 to 17:00, in the Ceremonial Hall at the University of Iceland.

This annual event brings together leading scholars, policymakers, and community advocates to discuss urgent challenges facing the Arctic region. This year’s conference focuses on four interconnected themes: Arctic governance and security, the cryosphere, resilience in rural communities, and academic collaboration across the Circumpolar North.

As climate, geopolitical, and societal shifts accelerate, the Arctic is increasingly at a crossroads. Can Arctic governance structures adapt to mounting security pressures? How are communities coping with the rapid loss of sea ice, glaciers, and permafrost? What are the long-term implications for those living in the Arctic? How can Arctic higher education institutions deepen their collaboration amid geopolitical tensions and enhance their capacity to support Arctic youth?

These questions demand interdisciplinary dialogue and collaborative solutions. This conference aims to foster an open discussion, drawing on diverse knowledge and institutional perspectives.

The event will be held in English. 

Program: 

13:00 Welcome Remarks, Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland

13:05 Opening Remarks, Lars Kullerud, President of UArctic

13:20 Governing a Fractured Arctic: Security, Sovereignty, and Scientific Cooperation

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, former Prime Minister of Iceland, Senior Emissary - Chair of the Polar Dialogue, Sara Olsvig, International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Elana Rowe, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, David Balton,Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School’s Arctic Initiative, former Executive Director of the Arctic Executive Steering Committee, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2021-2025, Gunnar Stefánsson, Vice-President of Research for UArctic, Director Engineering Research Institute at University of Iceland

Moderated by Pia Hansson, Director, Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland

14:05 Keynote Address, John Holdren, Research Professor in Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Science Advisor to President Obama and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2009-2017

14:15 The Cryosphere in Crisis and Impacts on Arctic Communities

Hanne H. Christiansen, Professor in Physical Geography at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) and UArctic Chair in Permafrost Physical Processes, Guðfinna Th. Aðalgeirsdóttir, Professor of Glaciology, University of Iceland, John Holdren, Research Professor in Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Science Advisor to President Obama and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2009-2017, Þorvarður Árnason, Director, University of Iceland Research Centre in Hornafjörður

Moderated by Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Environmental manager and former minister

15:00 Coffee Break

15:15 Keynote Address Alex Stitt, Director of the Heritage Centre, Lloyd's Register Foundation

15:25 Resilience on Thin Ice: Challenges Facing Rural Communities in the Arctic

Anna Karlsdóttir, Associate Professor in Human Geography and Tourism Studies, University of Iceland, Dimitrios Dalaklis, Professor in Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration, World Maritime University, UArctic Chair in Search and Rescue, Edward Alexander, Co-Chair, Gwich'in Council International, Senior Arctic Lead, Permafrost Pathways, Woodwell Climate Research Center, USA,  Javier Arnaut, Head of Department and Associate Professor, Department of Arctic Social Science & Economics, University of Greenland

Moderated by Bjargey Anna Guðbrandsdóttir, Administrative Officer, Faculty of Education and Diversity, University of Iceland

16:10 Arctic Higher Education: Towards Deeper Collaboration Across the North

Tuija Turunen, Dean at the Faculty of Education, University of Lapland,  UArctic Chair in Education for Social Justice and Diversity, Tom Barry, Head of School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Akureyri, Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson, Pro-Rector for Science, University of Iceland, Midtlarak Lennert, Assistant professor, Department of Arctic Social Science & Economics, University of Greenland

Moderated by Ann-Sofie Nielsen Gremaud, Associate Professor of Danish, University of Iceland

16:55 Final words 

Further information can be found here.

Registration is now open—click here to register.