Three on the steering committee of the new Danish-Icelandic research centre

The professors, Auður Hauksdóttir, Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson and Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir will represent Iceland in the new steering group of the Danish-Icelandic research centre on ocean, climate and society that is being established these days in honour of Margrethe, queen of Denmark, and Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former President of Iceland.

Vigdís celebrated her 90th birthday on 15 April and Queen Margarethe's her 80th a day later. On this occasion the Carlsberg Foundation contributed DKK 25 million to establish the research centre. The Foundation has a long history in Iceland. In addition, the Icelandic state contributed DKK 7 million, and the Icelandic Research Fund DKK 5 million through the Icelandic research centre Rannís. The project is linked to the Icelandic authorities' wish to honor and strengthen the long-term and positive scientific collaboration between the two countries, also in connection with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Iceland last year.

Queen Margrethe and Vigdís Finnbogadóttir's interdisciplinary research centre on ocean, climate and society will focus on increasing understanding of the interaction between climate and ecosystems and the effect of climate change in the ocean on Icelandic culture and society. The research centre will be located both at the University of Copenhagen and the University of Iceland; but most of the research will be conducted in Icelandic waters. The centre will utilise new developments in the analysis of DNA in the environment in order to shed light on the interaction between climate, organisms, and society. The plan is to hire young post-doctoral researchers who will conduct their research at both universities, linking together Danish and Icelandic research scientists affiliated with the centre.

Six research scientists will form the steering committee for the research centre and supervise the projects. Three are from Denmark and three from Iceland. Katherine Richardson, professor at the University of Copenhagen leads the committee, and the other Danish committee members are Lars Stemmerik, professor at the University of Copenhagen, and Flemming Besenbacher, chair of the Carlsberg Foundation and professor at Aarhus University.

The Prime Minister's Office has, in collaboration with the University of Iceland and the Icelandic research centre Rannís, decided to nominate Auður Hauksdóttir, professor at the Faculty of Languages and Cultures, Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, head of faculty and professor at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, and Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir, Pro-Rector for Science and professor at the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, for the steering committee, and Auður will lead the group. 

The steering committee will begin their work immediately so further news on the project is to be expected. 

Further information on the gift from the Carlsberg Foundation and the Research Centre.