Arctic Frontiers PhD workshop 2016

This year 22 students from 15 different countries attended the workshop in conjunction with the Arctic Frontiers conference in January 2016. They came to Tromsø from very close (such as Bodø) and very far (such as India) and their disciplines varied widely from biology, anthropology, glaciology, to political and social sciences. Nevertheless, this cocktail turned out very motivating and productive and the general atmosphere was very integrative and friendly.

The first 4-5 days the workshop participants attended the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø. This years topic was ‘Industry and Environment’ and the students presented their own research either as a poster or in an oral presentation. After the conference they embarked on the coastal steamer MS Finnmarken to Svolvær on the beautiful Lofoten island. The trip and the stay in Svolvær were packed with lectures on project proposal writing, EU proposals, scientific and cultural multi- and transdisciplinarity as well as the history and culture of northern Norway.

In addition to the lectures, the students had to evaluate real project proposals and come up with their own projects to be presented at the last day. This group work is an important part of the workshop and an invaluable exercise. Working together, across disciplines and borders, is necessary to be able to manage the complex challenges the Arctic region, its nature and its people are facing.

Facilitating innovative approaches by including lectures and excursions on history and arts, walks during the precious daylight in breathtaking scenery, and finally unstructured socializing time is another important part of the workshop. Thanks to the all the lecturers and students participating for a successful, productive and fun workshop!

If you would like to know more about the activities of the workshop, please have a look the workshop blog.