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 polar research community to exchange ideas, increase dialogue, 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.
Aim
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. 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 by Marija Cvijovic, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Gothenburg, followed by a traditional Sámi joik performed by Ánndaris Rimpi, and an introduction to the Forum and its objectives.
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 - 15:45 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. Performance by sound artist Ánndaris Rimpi.
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. Moderated by Leif Eriksson.
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 now open - register here
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
