Background
The European Union is reviewing its Arctic policy at a time where the High North is emerging as a critical arena in which climate change, technological development, and security dynamics converge. The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, with direct implications for Europe’s climate resilience and strategic preparedness. Strengthening cooperation across European and associated Arctic partners is essential to close critical knowledge gaps, sustain observation networks and ensure that Europe maintains access to environmental intelligence from the rapidly evolving Arctic Ocean.
This seminar brings together policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, focusing on the rapidly changing Arctic and the new challenges it presents for Europe. The discussion highlights the key role of advances in ocean, sea-ice, and climate research, and Norway’s unique capabilities, such as specialized infrastructure, ocean observatories, and advanced satellite data.
Together, these tools can deepen our understanding of deep-ocean processes and help explain the accelerating climate changes occurring in the High North.
Program
(latest draft 22.05.26)
08.30–09.00 Registration and networking breakfast
09.00–09.10 Welcome
Gunn Mangerud, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Bergen (UiB)
Tore Furevik, CEO, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC)
09.10–09.25 Opening keynote
09.25–09.40 Short presentations
Arctic climate processes and their link to the global climate system: Marius Årthun, Research Leader, Polar Climate, UiB
Modeling the Arctic in real-time: Laurent Bertino, Research Director, NERSC
09.40–10.30 Panel 1: Research Gaps in the Arctic
- Larisa Lörinczi, Policy Officer, Ocean-climate nexus and polar research and HE programming, DG RTD, European Commission
- Pierre Bahurel, Director-General, Mercator Ocean International
- Wieter Boone, Division Head Marine Robotics Centre, VLIZ, the Flanders Marine Institute
- Tore Furevik, CEO, NERSC
Moderated by: Tor Eldevik, Head of department, Geophysical Institute, UiB
10.30–10.45 Coffee break
10.45–11.00 Short presentations
Pioneering Arctic Ocean Observation for Science, Innovation and Sovereignty: Hanne Sagen, Research Director, NERSC
Connecting infrastructure and policy needs: Steffen Leth Jørgensen, Centre Director, CDeepSea, UiB
11.00–11.50 Panel 2: Arctic Infrastructure, Capacity and Strategic Autonomy
- Renuka Badhe, Secretary General, EuroGOOS
- Maria Høegh Berdahl, Policy Officer, Unit for Earth Observation, DG DEFIS, European Commission
- Ellen Dahler Tuset, Vice President Operational Excellence, Kongsberg
- Agnès Robin, Head of Research Infrastructure Policy, DG RTD, European Commission
- Gunn Mangerud, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiB
Moderated by: Katrine Moland Hansen, Director of Operations, NERSC
11.50–12.00 Concluding remarks
12.00–13.00 Networking lunch
