UArctic

The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is a network of universities, colleges, research institutes and other organizations concerned with education and research in and about the North. UArctic was created through the Arctic Council and aims to advance education and collaboration in and for the Arctic and to develop knowledge and address local and global challenges of relevance to Arctic peoples and societies. The University of Iceland is an active member of the UArctic Network and of the North2North UArctic mobility program for students. Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson Professor of Geophysics at the University of Iceland sits on the board of UArctic and Gunnar Stefánsson, Professor and Director of the Engineering Research Institute at the University of Iceland is the UArctic Vice President for Research. As such, Gunnar leads a group of highly qualified academics who serve as academic drivers on a broad spectrum of subjects of relevance to the Arctic, called UArctic Chairs. The University of Iceland further supports UArctic through a support team at the Institute of International Affairs, Heiða Ragney Viðarsdóttir and Guðbjörg Ríkey Thoroddsen Hauksdóttir.

UArctics' Thematic Networks form a framework for increasing knowledge generation and sharing across the North. Empowered by local knowledge and academic expertise the Thematic Networks facilitate the development of multidisciplinary solutions for challenges in the Arctic.

Researchers and scientists from the University of Iceland participate in the following UArctic thematic networks:

• • Arctic Cultures and History (ARCH)
    • Sumarliði R Ísleifsson, associate professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology - sumarlidi@hi.is
  • Arctic Geology
    • Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, Member of the Uarctic Board and professor of geophysics - mtg@hi.is
  • Arctic in Asia and Asia in the Arctic
    • Kristín Ingvarsdóttir, assistant professor of japanese language and culture - kristin@hi.is
  • Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design (ASAD)
    • Hanna Ólafsdóttir, assistant professor and chair of visual arts education - hannao@hi.is
  • Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility
    • Kristinn Schram, Associate professor in ethnology - khschram@hi.is
    • Jón Geir Pétursson, Professor in environment and natural resources - jgp@hi.is
  • Arctic WASH
    • María J. Gunnarsdóttir, senior researcher and assistant professor at the School of Enineering and Natural Sciences - mariag@hi.is
  • Circumpolar Archive, Folklore and Ethnography (CAFE)
    • Kristinn Schram, associate professor of folkloristics and Vice-lead - khschram
    • Alice Bower, PhD student - aeb15@hi.is
    • Cody Skahan, Leifur Eiríksson fellow and PhD student
  • Circular Economy
    • Harald Sverdrup - hus@hi.is
  • Collaborative Online International Learning and Biodiversity Education Across the Arctic Circle
    • Mariana Tamayo, Assistant professor environment and natural resources - mlt@hi.is
  • Disasters and Natural Hazards
    • Freysteinn Sigmundsson, research professor in geophysics - fs@hi.is
  • Herbivory
    • Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir, professor emirita at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences - isj@hi.is
  • Northern Tourism
    • Gunnar Þór Jóhannesson, professor in geography an tourism and Vice-lead - gtj@hi.is
  • Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research
    • Ásta Marta Sveinsdóttir, Icelandic Tourism Research Centre, samstarf háskólana - asamarta@unak.is
  • Ocean Food Systems
    • David Cook, adjunct lecturer in environment and natural resources - dac@hi.is
  • Social Work
    • Jóna Margrét Ólafsdóttir, associate professor in social work - jona@hi.is
  • Teacher Education for Social Justice and Diversity in Education
    • Ásthildur Björg Jónsdóttir, adjunct lecturer at the faculty of subject teacher education - astajons@hi.is
    • Edda Óskarsdóttir, professor at the faculty of education and pedagogy - eddao@hi.is
    • Karen Rut Gísladóttir, professor at the faculty of education and pedagogy - karenrut@hi.is

Read more about the Thematic Networks here

The biannual UArctic Congress takes place in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands from May 26 to 29, 2026. The event is hosted by the University of the Faroe Islands (Setur), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade and the Faroe Marine Research Institute.

More information about the Congress can be found here.

UArctic's mobility program north2north provides opportunities to study in different parts of the North. Experience life in another North by studying at another north2north partner university.

A north2north exchange gives you competence in topics related to the Arctic and experiences of another north that you can benefit from in your future professional career and/or academic plans.

Improve your knowledge about Northern/Arctic issues and people by taking Northern/Arctic courses at another circumpolar institution.

Read more about the north2north mobility program