New research school strengthens polar research
Sweden is taking a major step towards securing future expertise in polar research. The Swedish Research Council has granted SEK 40 million to a new research school, the School of Excellence in Arctic and Antarctic Learning (SEAL), which will start in 2026. The aim is to educate the next generation of researchers with interdisciplinary skills and strengthen Sweden's international impact in Arctic and Antarctic issues.
SEAL brings together five leading universities: the University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and Mid Sweden University.
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Veijo Pohjola, Professor of Physical Geography, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.
- This will strengthen Swedish polar research going forward, and not only in Sweden. In polar research today, it is necessary to understand much more than just natural science subjects, and this research programme will offer a broadening to other subjects relevant to polar research today. The programme focuses on the interconnected processes that shape the polar regions – glaciology, oceanography, climate change, biodiversity and indigenous knowledge – while equipping students to deal with the ethical, geopolitical and societal challenges of polar research. The subjects span the natural sciences, technology, law and the humanities, says Veijo Pohjola, Professor of Physical Geography.
Name: School of Excellence in Arctic and Antarctic Learning (SEAL). A national school for excellence in Arctic and Antarctic research education.
Project manager
- Hans Linderholm, Professor, University of Gothenburg
Participating researchers:
- Leif Eriksson, Professor, Chalmers University of Technology
- Katrin Lindbäck, Doctor, Mid Sweden University
- Kati Lindström, Associate Professor, Royal Institute of Technology
- Veijo Pohjola, Professor, Uppsala University
- Nils Wallenberg, Doctor, University of Gothenburg
- Anna Wåhlin, Professor, University of Gothenburg
Background and facts
The polar regions play a crucial role in the Earth's system through interconnected processes in the oceans, on land and in the atmosphere. The polar regions are home to unique and sensitive ecosystems and are also important for global transport routes and natural resources. The giant ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are large enough to affect global sea levels and contain over 90% of the Earth's fresh water. These regions are among those most affected by climate change and human impact. There is an urgent need to better understand and predict the ongoing changes in the polar regions and their consequences for biodiversity, human livelihoods and the global climate. There is a high demand for polar expertise.
The research school will be run by a consortium of five leading Swedish universities (Gothenburg, Uppsala, Chalmers, KTH and Mid Sweden University), which together contribute the entire spectrum of polar expertise – from glaciology, oceanography and climate modelling to radar remote sensing and technology development, social sciences and indigenous perspectives. The research school will offer unique infrastructure, international networks and experienced supervisors. The goal is to create a national research school for excellence in Arctic and Antarctic research education (SEAL), a platform that integrates natural sciences, technology, law and the humanities.