23–24 November 2026 | Odense, Denmark
As the Arctic undergoes profound environmental, societal, and geopolitical changes, the need for international collaboration, responsible research practices, and meaningful partnerships with Arctic communities has never been greater.
On 23–24 November 2026, the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) will host SDU Arctic Days 2026, bringing together researchers, students, policymakers, Indigenous representatives, and international partners for two days of discussions about the future of Arctic research.
The event is organized by SDU Arctic, an interdisciplinary network connecting researchers across SDU's six faculties, in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) and Nordatlantisk Hus in Odense.
Looking ahead to the Fifth International Polar Year
A central focus of SDU Arctic Days 2026 is preparation for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY5, 2032–2033), a major international initiative that offers an opportunity to rethink how Arctic research is organized, conducted, and translated into societal benefits.
While IPY5 is still several years away, the partnerships, research priorities, and ethical frameworks that will underpin its success need to be developed now.
The timing is particularly relevant as the Kingdom of Denmark holds the Arctic Council Chairship (2025–2027), with priorities including Indigenous Peoples' involvement, knowledge-based decision-making, and sustainable Arctic communities.
Our ambition is to use SDU Arctic Days as a platform for discussing how research institutions across Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Denmark can contribute to these priorities and prepare for IPY5.
Bringing different perspectives together
The first day, hosted at DIAS on 23 November, will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and a poster session showcasing Arctic research and collaborations.
We are particularly pleased to welcome an excellent group of speakers representing different perspectives on Arctic research, diplomacy, and collaboration:
Kenneth Høegh, Arctic Ambassador and Chair of the Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials, will address Arctic research and diplomacy during the Kingdom of Denmark's Arctic Council Chairship.
Magni Mohr, Prorector at the University of the Faroe Islands, will discuss research and university partnerships across the Kingdom.
Sophie Crump, Environment and Climate Advisor at the Inuit Circumpolar Council – Kalaallit Nunaat, will address shared responsibilities in Arctic collaboration.
Philippe Archambault, Professor at Université Laval and Scientific Director of ArcticNet, will discuss international collaboration and coordinated Arctic research.
Kirsten Seestern Christoffersen, Professor at University of Copenhagen, will share perspectives on long-term Arctic research from Disko Island.
Maalia Lynge Hvid, from Arctic Hub Greenland, will explore how Arctic research can become more relevant to society and policy in Greenland.
The programme also includes discussions on Indigenous perspectives, institutional responsibilities, scientific collaboration, and the importance of long-term knowledge.
A poster session and networking reception will provide opportunities for participants, including early-career researchers and students, to share their work and make new connections.
What does responsible Arctic research look like?
On 24 November, discussions will move to Nordatlantisk Hus for a smaller, participatory workshop focusing on some of the more difficult questions facing the Arctic research community.
What are the most important research questions we should collectively address during IPY5? How can we develop more equitable partnerships with Arctic communities and Indigenous Peoples? And what does responsible research look like in practice?
These questions are relevant across scientific disciplines, but their practical implications can be very different. Research involving human health and sensitive personal data, ecological fieldwork near Arctic communities, long-term monitoring at remote research stations, and scientific expeditions in international waters each present distinct ethical and practical challenges.
Rather than assuming that one approach fits all, we hope to explore what different disciplines can learn from one another and identify concrete steps towards more responsible, inclusive, and collaborative Arctic research.
Connecting research, communities, and society
An important part of SDU Arctic Days is our collaboration with Nordatlantisk Hus, an established cultural institution in Odense with an ambitious vision to strengthen its role as a centre for climate communication, public education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
We see considerable opportunities to connect the university's research activities with wider public conversations about the Arctic, including its environment, cultures, communities, and future.
Likewise, DIAS provides a natural setting for the first day of the event. Many of the challenges facing the Arctic cannot be addressed within a single discipline. By bringing together perspectives from natural sciences, health sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, and Indigenous knowledge systems, we hope to create space for new conversations and collaborations.
Join us in Odense
SDU Arctic Days 2026 is intended not only for established Arctic researchers but for anyone interested in the future of the region and how research can contribute positively to it.
The symposium on 23 November is open to registered participants, including students, and we particularly encourage colleagues from across SDU and other research institutions to take part.
The participatory workshop on 24 November has limited capacity and is currently fully booked. Interested colleagues are welcome to get in touch with the organizers.
We hope that SDU Arctic Days will be more than a two-day event: an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships, establish new connections, and begin shaping a shared agenda for Arctic research in the years leading up to IPY5.
We look forward to welcoming you to Odense on 23–24 November!
SDU Arctic Days 2026 is organized by Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen, Karl Attard, Anna Kirstine Schirrer and Jannie Olsen .
