Arctic Challenges: Navigating Shared Futures
Centre for Arctic StudiesOctober 15, 2025 | 13:00–17:00 | Ceremonial Hall, University of Iceland
The University of the Arctic and the University of Iceland invite you to its annual conference focused on the Arctic region. Bringing together leading scholars, policymakers, and community advocates to explore the urgent challenges facing the Arctic.
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.
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 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 build capacity for 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.
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, Senior Emissary - Chair of the Polar Dialogue, former Prime Minister of Iceland, Sara Olsvig, International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Elana Wilson Rowe, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, David Balton, Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School’s Arctic Initiative, Gunnar Stefánsson, Vice-President of Research for UArctic, Director Engineering Research Institute at the University of Iceland
Moderated by Pia Hansson, Director, Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland
14:05 A few thoughts about international cooperation on impacts of climate change in the Arctic
Keynote: 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 of Physical Geography at the Aarhus University, Denmark 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, 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 Learning from the Past
Keynote: 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, Professor 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, Pia Hansson, Director, Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland
As global powers ramp up their strategic interests in the Arctic, longstanding pillars of cooperation like the Arctic Council are under strain. This session examines the effects of rising geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances on scientific cooperation and regional stability. With the return of hard geopolitics—exemplified by Russia’s war in Ukraine and wavering U.S. multilateralism—what are the prospects for future cooperation?
The Arctic cryosphere—its glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice—is vanishing at an alarming pace, with profound consequences for ecosystems, infrastructure, and cultural heritage. This panel discusses the cascading effects of cryospheric degradation and highlights how interdisciplinary research, and cooperation can support Arctic communities on the frontlines of environmental transformation.
Across the Arctic, rural and Indigenous communities are experiencing increasing strain from environmental degradation, underfunded infrastructure, limited health access, and policies that often fail to consider local perspectives. This session brings together researchers and practitioners to examine the consequences of environmental regulations, urban migration incentives, and public health inequalities in remote areas.
As highlighted in the previous sessions, the Arctic faces unprecedented environmental, societal, and geopolitical change, demanding new skills, stronger institutions, and deeper knowledge-sharing. Higher education in the Arctic, about the Arctic, is critical to ensuring knowledge sovereignty, empowering Northern leadership, and fostering sustainable futures.
This session brings together UArctic Chairs, educators, and researchers from across the Circumpolar North to highlight innovative programs, Indigenous-centered curricula, joint degrees, and mobility initiatives that strengthen capacity for Arctic youth and communities. Panelists will explore how universities can move beyond existing partnerships towards truly integrated, pan-Arctic collaboration, building resilient, knowledge-based societies ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing North
