About us
The School of Excellence in Arctic and Antarctic Learning - SEAL - is national, interdisciplinary research school funded by the Swedish Research Council, with the mission of advancing polar research in Sweden.
The national research school is a government initiative to ensure the growth of excellent researchers in polar research, starting in the fall of 2026. At the School of Excellence in Arctic and Antarctic Learning, doctoral students work across traditional subject boundaries thanks to collaboration between five leading universities in Sweden: Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Mid Sweden University, and the University of Gothenburg. In an internationally competitive research environment with unique infrastructure and experienced supervisors, the school contributes new knowledge about the interconnected processes that shape the polar regions—from glaciology, oceanography, and climate modeling to remote sensing, technology development, social sciences, and indigenous perspectives.
Partner universities
The School of Excellence in Arctic and Antarctic Learning, SEAL, is run by five leading Swedish universities in strong partnership across research disciplines: the University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, and Mid Sweden University.
The University of Gothenburg brings leading expertise in polar oceanography, ecology, and advanced research infrastructures that have led to groundbreaking science. Uppsala University's experience in polar research spans several decades and includes cutting-edge research in glaciology, hydrology, geology, and climate modeling. Chalmers University of Technology applies remote sensing methods to study everything from molecular processes in clouds to global environmental changes. KTH Royal Institute of Technology's strong interdisciplinary research environment complements the research school with social science and humanities perspectives on geopolitics, environmental governance, science diplomacy, and polar history. Together with Mid Sweden University's research on sustainable tourism, indigenous issues and polar law, doctoral students in the research school will work at the intersection of natural sciences, technology, and social sciences.
Programme Board
The Program Board consists of representatives from the partner universities and will be updated with student representatives.
Hans Linderholm – Chair. Professor in Physical Geography, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg.
Anna Wåhlin – Professor in Physical Oceanography, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg.
Veijo Pohjola – Professor in Physical Geography, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University.
Leif Eriksson – Professor in Radar Remote Sensing, Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Chalmers University of Technology.
Kati Lindström – Doctor in History of science, technology and environment, Department of History of Science, Technology & Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
Katrin Lindbäck – Doctor in Physical Geography, Department of Natural Science, Design and Sustainable Development, Mid Sweden University.
Nils Wallenberg – Director of studies. Doctor in Geography, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg.
International scientific council
To ensure that the program maintains a high international standard, the polar research school is assisted by an international scientific council that provides external advice and evaluates the development of the program. There is also a stakeholder advisory councill with representation from various stakeholders to ensure that the graduate school remains relevant to the needs and priorities of society.
Administration
The administration of the research school is located at the University of Gothenburg.
- Hans Linderholm, Director, Department of Earth Sciences
- Nils Wallenberg, Director of Studies, Department of Earth Sciences
- Jenny Meyer Daneback, Communications Officer, Department of Earth Sciences
