Welcome to the Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic 2026
Against the backdrop of ongoing discussions on establishing a Swedish Centre for Arctic and Antarctic Research (SCAA), this conference will provide a forum for the terrestrial and marine polar research community to exchange ideas, increase dialogue, and contribute to a shared vision for the future of Swedish polar research.
The day-and-a-half-conference is held at Wallenberg Conference Centre, University of Gothenburg. The Forum is free of charge and includes coffee breaks, two lunches, and the Forum dinner on the evening of Monday 30 November.
Aim
The aim of the Forum is to advance the agendas for Arctic and Antarctic marine and terrestrial research in Sweden, identifying priorities, strengthening collaborations, and enabling pathways for implementation. We look forward to constructive dialogue and collaboration among academia, state agencies, and stakeholders!
Programme
Monday 30 November
Side meeting
APECS Pre-Conference Event
A pre-conference event arranged by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) Sweden, inviting ECR researchers to listen to input from different research fields and discuss ECR priorities for the upcoming IPY. The event will cover topics such as effects of climate change on polar natural resources, critical food supply chains, and communities that depend on them.
08:30 - 09:00 Registration for APECS participants
09:00 – 10:30 APECS Plenary session (in room Europa)
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee
11:00 – 12:15 APECS workshops (in Room Sydamerika and Antarktis)
Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic
Day 1 – Monday 30 November
11:30 - 12:00 Registration
12:00 - 13:15 Lunch
13:15 - 13:20 Opening Session
Welcome remarks and introduction to the Forum and its objectives.
13:20 – 13:30 Swedish Centre for Arctic and Antarctic (SCAA)
A presentation of SCAA, a new national platform bringing together researchers, universities, and stakeholders to advance Arctic and Antarctic research, education, and societal engagement. The centre aims to strengthen Sweden's leadership in polar science and foster collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
13:30 - 14:30 Inspiring Projects and Perspectives for IPY5
How do ambitious polar research ideas become successful international projects? The session opens with four short presentations on IPY-4 projects. What worked? What proved difficult? A moderated panel and audience Q&A will then explore what needs to happen now to build strong projects for IPY-5.
14:30 - 15:00 Coffee Break
15:00 - 15:45 Polar Research and Society
This session examines how polar research can strengthen engagement with Indigenous Peoples, national minorities, local communities, industry, and wider society.
15:45 – 16:15 Research Infrastructure, field operations and opportunities
An opportunity to learn more about Sweden's unique polar research infrastructure and the logistical capabilities that make world-leading research in the Arctic and Antarctic possible. The session will highlight current activities, future priorities, and opportunities for collaboration, while showcasing how the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat supports science from planning and field operations to international cooperation.
16:15-17:15 APECS Annual General Meeting
16:15 - 18:15 Poster Session and Networking Reception
Including a virtual reality exhibition highlighting the historical legacy of the Nordenskjöld Antarctic Expedition.
19:00 Conference Dinner at Kooperativet, Lindholmen Streetfood Market
https://www.kooperativet.se/streetfood-market/
Day 2 – Tuesday 1 December
09:00 - 10:15 Emerging Polar Research Leaders
Early Career Researchers from Swedish universities present new research and emerging perspectives across disciplines relevant to Arctic and Antarctic science.
10:15 - 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:30 National Polar Initiatives
An overview of major national initiatives shaping the future of Swedish polar research. Mats Björkman (BECC) shares lessons from 15 years of strategic research, while Johan Olofsson (SCIPolar) and Niklas Eklund (Totalförsvar i det nordliga rummet) present two new national research initiatives launching in 2027. Hans Linderholm introduces the vision for the new national polar research school, SEAL. The session offers insights into emerging opportunities for collaboration, training, and community building.
11:30 - 12:15 International Collaboration and Cooperation
An overview of opportunities for Swedish researchers to engage in international polar networks, research collaborations, and preparations for the 5th International Polar Year (IPY5).
12:15 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 - 14:30 Funding Opportunities for Future Polar Research
A strategic discussion on the evolving funding landscape for polar research in Sweden and internationally. Representatives from research funders, foundations, government agencies, and research policy organisations will discuss.
14:30 - 15:00 Coffee Break
15:00 - 15:45 The Arctic Council and Sweden's Arctic Engagement
Representatives from government agencies and Arctic Council activities discuss priorities during the upcoming Arctic Council Chairmanship and opportunities for engagement by the research community.
15:45 - 16:00 Closing reflections and next steps
Registration
Registration is open - register now for the Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic 2026
Host and collaborators
University of Gothenburg hosts the 2026 Forum for Arctic and Antarctic in collaboration with:
- The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
- Arctic Centre Umeå University
- Centre for the Arctic and Antarctic Luleå University of Technology
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research Stockholm University
- APECS Sweden
