Fellows of the Northern Research Forum

The University of Akureyri

The University of Akureyri (UNAK) was founded in 1987 and is located in the capital of North Iceland, Akureyri. The University is divided into two Schools: School of Humanities and Social Sciences and School of Health, Business and Natural Sciences, with more than 2,000 students and approximately 200 permanent staff members. Akureyri is the location of various Arctic institutions and initiatives such as the International Arctic Science Committee; the Secretariats of the Arctic Council working groups PAME (Protection of Arctic Marine Environment) and CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna); and the Stefansson Arctic Institute.

The Northern Reasearch Forum (NRF)

The NRF at UNAK is an international platform for an effective dialogue between members of the research community and a wide range of stakeholders from civil society, politics, business, and local communities. Based at UNAK, the NRF will be a part of the University and operated from there; coordinating various Arctic activities.

The NRF fellows

The NRF coordinates a fellows program that supports Arctic research and other Arctic-related activities that are carried out at UNAK. The NRF Fellows Program consists of three categories:

  • Honorary Fellows are experienced and respected state and local government practitioners, as well as distinguished international civil society, business, and indigenous leaders, both from Iceland and abroad.
  • Senior Fellows are senior researchers and scholars, both from Iceland and abroad, whose publications have made a significant contribution to Arctic-related research and methodology.
  • Research Fellows are master’s and doctoral students, predoctoral researchers, and postdoctoral researchers (generally those who have received their degree within the past five years). Priority may be given to students of UNAK, or UNAK affiliates.

Supportive community

  • The Fellowship is a network of wide-ranging expertise in Arctic issues, research and studies.
  • The Fellows contribute to and benefit from being in a supportive, interdisciplinary community, where best practices are shared and a platform is created for collaboration.
  • The NRF at UNAK facilitates communication between the Fellows and provides a forum for discussion and debate.

… in this way, the NRF will ensure that its Fellows benefit from their collective strength when pursuing and promoting their research and Arctic engagement.

Duties and obligations

  • The Fellows initiate and contribute to an academic discussion about Arctic issues.
  • The Fellows give visibility to the NRF and its projects, both within the University of Akureyri and the international science community.
  • The Fellows support the NRF’s efforts to attract competitive funds.
  • The Fellows should use the title designated by the NRF whenever referring to a grant received from the Fellows Program.
  • By participating in the projects of the NRF, the Fellows strengthen the research mandate of UNAK and its Schools and Faculties.

… in this way, the Fellows will advance excellence in research and further establish UNAK as an international research university.

Benefits

  • The Fellows have access to an international network of colleagues with expertise in Arctic research.
  • The Fellows have access to service and administrative support.
  • The Fellows have access to research facilities.
  • The Fellows have access to communication and outreach.
  • The Fellows have access to funding, in the form of travel grants.
  • The Fellows have the right to use the title NRF Fellow, to ensure visibility of their engagement.

… in this way, the Fellowship will expand opportunities for academic advancement.