Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic 2026
Welcome to the Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic 2026! Register now and join leading researchers, early-career scientists, stakeholders and agencies in shaping the next chapter of Sweden’s polar research community. Be part of the conversation and help build Sweden’s transdisciplinary foundation for the 5th International Polar Year! Last day to register is 31 October.
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 polar research community to exchange ideas, increase dialogue across subject boundaries, and contribute to a shared transdisciplinary 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.
Theme
Building on a Swedish foundation for the 5th International Polar Year
Aim and target audience
The aim of the Forum is to advance the agendas for Arctic and Antarctic transdisciplinary polar research in Sweden, identifying priorities, strengthening collaborations, and enabling pathways for implementation. Target audience: Researchers and academics across disciplines, Early-career researchers, PhD students, Government agencies, policymakers, local community stakeholders, research funding organisations, Industry representatives and organisations with interests in polar regions. We look forward to constructive dialogue and collaboration among academia, state agencies, and stakeholders!
Programme
Monday 30 November
Side meeting
APECS Pre-Conference Event
Venue: Wallenberg Conference Centre, Wallenbergsalen
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
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee
11:00 – 12:15 APECS workshops. Rooms: Sydamerika and Antarktis
Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic
Day 1 – Monday 30 November
Venue: Wallenberg Conference Centre, Wallenbergsalen
11:30 - 12:00 Registration
12:00 - 13:15 Lunch
13:15 - 13:20 Opening Session
Welcome remarks by Marija Cvijovic, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Gothenburg, followed by a performance of traditional Sámi joik by sound artist Ánndaris Rimpi. The opening session concludes with an introduction to the Forum and an overview of its aims and objectives.
About Ánndaris Rimpi: Ánndaris Rimpi is a Lule Sámi composer, musician and sound artist whose work bridges traditional Sámi culture and contemporary artistic expression. Through music, performance, and language revitalization, he has become a prominent voice for Sámi culture. At the Forum for Arctic and Antarctic Research 2026, he will perform during both the opening session and the conference dinner.
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. Presented by Dag Avango,
13:30 – 14:30 IPY Inspirational Session: Learning from Polar Flagship Projects
An opportunity to learn from some of the landmark initiatives associated with the 4th International Polar Year. Dag Avango (LASHIPA), Gunhild Ninis Rosqvist (Arctic Sweden), Veijo Pohjola (Kinnvika), and Anne Bjorkman (International Tundra Experiment, ITEX) reflect on how large-scale international polar research projects were conceived, developed, and implemented. Through short presentations and a panel discussion, speakers will share lessons learned, key challenges, and perspectives on what is needed to build successful initiatives for the 5th International Polar Year (IPY5). The session offers inspiration for researchers interested in shaping the next generation of international polar collaborations. Moderated by Ulf Jonsell.
14:30 - 15:00 Coffee Break
15:00-15:30 Arctic Council Chairship
As Sweden prepares to assume the Chairship of the Arctic Council, this session provides an opportunity to hear directly from Helen Eduards and Andreas Bengtsson (Ministry for Foreign Affairs) on Sweden's priorities, ambitions, and approach to Arctic cooperation. Following a presentation, participants are invited to discuss opportunities, challenges, and the role of research in supporting Sweden's engagement in the Arctic during the Chairship period. Moderated by Keith Larson.
15:30 – 16:15 Polar Research and Society
This session explores how polar research can create value through engagement with Indigenous Peoples, National minorities, local communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders. As preparations for IPY5 advance, panelists will discuss opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and co-creation, with a particular focus on research in regions with northern indigenous peoples and national minorities. Panelists include Åsa Pitja (Sámiid Riikkasearvi – the National Association for Sámi in Sweden; SSR), Mikael Janson (Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) network), Daniel Fjellborg (Tornedalens Folkhögskola and University of Gothenburg), and a representative from Tornionlaaksolaiset – the National Association of Swedish Tornedalians (STR-T). Moderated by Dag Avango
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. Performance by sound artist Ánndaris Rimpi.
https://www.kooperativet.se/streetfood-market/
Day 2 – Tuesday 1 December
Venue: Wallenberg Conference Centre, Wallenbergsalen
09:00-10:00 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.
10:00 - 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:45 Emerging Polar Research Leaders: New Perspectives Across Disciplines
Early Career Researchers from universities across Sweden present cutting-edge research that addresses some of the most pressing questions in polar science. Spanning disciplines and aligning with priorities identified through the Arctic Strategy and the upcoming International Polar Year (IPY), the session showcases innovative approaches and emerging perspectives from the next generation of polar researchers. Presentations include:
- Julia Martha Iwan (Chalmers University of Technology)
- Matthias Siewert (Umeå University)
- Justine Ramage (Stockholm University)
- Marcel du Plessis (University of Gothenburg)
- Felicia Söderqvist (Luleå University of Technology)
Moderated by Robert Björk.
11.45 - 12.15 Research Infrastructure, Polar Operations and Research Opportunities
An opportunity to learn about the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat's current and future activities, including research infrastructure, expedition planning, support opportunities, and international collaboration. The session will provide an overview of upcoming priorities, planned Arctic and Antarctic operations, access opportunities for researchers, and Sweden's engagement in international polar initiatives. Participants will gain insight into how the Secretariat supports science through logistics, field operations, strategic partnerships, and cooperation across the global polar research community. Presented by Katarina Gårdfeldt (Swedish Polar Research Secretariat).
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch
13:15 – 14:00 International Collaboration and Cooperation: Looking Back and Looking Forward
An overview of opportunities for Swedish researchers to engage in international polar networks, research collaborations, and preparations for IPY5. Through a series of short presentations, speakers will highlight key international initiatives, research networks, funding opportunities, and mechanisms for collaboration across the Arctic and Antarctic research communities. Presentations will include perspectives from (Outi Snellman UArctic Thematic Networks), Sara Moa (Swedish Research Council; IASC and SCAR), Felicia Söderqvist (APECS), Jørgen Berge (Arctic Ocean 2050), and Eugenia Segerstedt (Arctic Six). The session will also provide an overview of relevant IASC and SCAR working groups and research networks available for researchers seeking international engagement and collaboration. Moderated by Katarina Gårdfeldt.
14:00 – 14:45 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, and Robert Björk presents FjellShape: A Centre for Co-shaping Climate Transitions in Mountain and Sámi Cultural Landscapes. The session offers insights into emerging opportunities for collaboration, training, and community building. Moderated by Leif Eriksson.
14:45 – 15:15 Coffee break
15:15 – 16:00 Sweden’s Polar Engagement: Priorities, Partnerships and Future Directions
Building on the discussions throughout the Forum, this concluding panel will reflect on key messages, emerging priorities, and opportunities for collaboration across the polar research community. Drawing on recommendations from the thematic sessions, panelists will discuss how Sweden can strengthen its contributions to polar research, environmental monitoring, international cooperation, and societal relevance for Sweden's Arctic and Antarctic engagement. The session will provide an opportunity to identify shared priorities and explore strategic directions for the Swedish polar research community in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
Panelists include Helmi Rantala (Swedish Institute of International Affairs), Jessica Nilsson (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management / PAME), Sara Moa (Swedish Research Council; SCAR and IASC representative), and Åsa Lindgren (Swedish Polar Research Secretariat; Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Working Group of the Arctic Council). Moderated by Keith Larson.
Registration
Registration is open - register here latest 31 October
Host and collaborators
University of Gothenburg hosts the 2026 Forum for Arctic and Antarctic in collaboration with:
- The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
- Arctic Centre at Umeå University
- Centre for the Arctic and Antarctic at Luleå University of Technology
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research at Stockholm University
- APECS Sweden