ArcSolution Gathers at NMBU for General Assembly

On September 16 and 17, ArcSolution partners assembled at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Ås, Norway, for the General Assembly. One year into the project, initial results and many ongoing initiatives were discussed, seizing the opportunity of exchange across disciplines and among partners. Besides updates from previous meetings, the agenda for the General Assembly provided space for open discussions and the development of new collaborative efforts to address the complexity of Arctic pollution and the diversity of the ArcSolution study sites.  

From Science to Strategy: WP Updates

The assembly’s first sessions featured updates from the seven Work Packages, presenting ongoing studies on Arctic pollutant pathways and health impacts, including community engagement. This was followed by a focus on the six ArcSolution study sites: Longyearbyen (Svalbard), Inari (Finland), Greenland, Tromsø/Skjervøy (Norway), the Faroe Islands, and Arctic Canada, represented by the associated partner Memorial University. Collaboration with the sister projects ILLUQ and ICEBERG was emphasised, and valuable input from the Scientific Advisors, Dr Derek Muir (Environment and Climate Change Canada) and Dr Elisabete Weiderpass (International Agency for Research on Cancer), was discussed.
 
Wednesday highlighted citizen science and educational initiatives, as well as how local communities are being engaged in research and public awareness efforts. Following the success of the ArcSolution/UArctic summer school, ArcSolution will also be involved in the upcoming PhD course in Greenland in connection with the Nunamed conference in Nuuk. The Early Career Researchers network was introduced, and all young researchers in ArcSolution were encouraged to join, also with a view to links with ILLUQ and ICEBERG.
 
“After completing the first major deliverables of the project, we used this General Assembly to coordinate our next steps, align priorities, and ensure that ArcSolution is firmly on track for success. We have a diverse and committed group of scientists working together across disciplines and regions to understand and reduce pollution in the Arctic. Our approach is comprehensive and inclusive, addressing environmental pathways and human health impacts to create meaningful, lasting solutions,” said Scientific Coordinator, Roland Kallenborn.

A Shared Commitment to a Sustainable Arctic

The General Assembly underscored ArcSolution’s multidisciplinary approach to one of the most complex environmental challenges of our time. As the Arctic continues to warm at unprecedented rates and an increasing number of scientific studies report on new chemicals in the Arctic, ArcSolution’s mission to find solutions that protect ecosystems and communities has never been more urgent.
 
“What we’re building here is more than just a research project. It’s a platform for long-term collaboration, knowledge exchange, and real-world impact. The General Assembly reminded us that by working together across disciplines, borders, and knowledge systems, we can move closer to a healthier, more resilient Arctic for generations to come.” Kallenborn summed up.

08:30 – 09:00 Registration – coffee
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome to Ås/NMBU with Roland Kallenborn
09:15 – 09:45 Information by the European Commission / Project Officer
09:45 – 11:00 Presentations of Work Packages Progress (WP1 – 5)
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break
11:30 – 12:45 Presentations of Work Packages Progress (WP6 – 7)
12:45 – 13:45 Lunch
13:45 – 15:00 Study Sites Update, outlook and integration with Katrin Vorkamp
15:00 – 15:15 External Advisors’ Reflections with Derek Muir and Elisabete Weiderpass
15:15 – 16:00 Collaboration session with ICEBERG and ILLUQ with Arja Rautio
16:00 – 17:00 Wrap-up and Discussion

08:30 – 09:00 Coffee and mingling
09:00 – 09:30 Finances and Reporting with Irene Andreassen
09:30 – 10:30 Citizen Science & Education Projects with Arja Rautio and Lars-Otto Reiersen
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:30 Early Career Scientists’ network and summer school with Marianna D’Amico and Gabrielle Haddad-Weiser
11:30 – 12:30 Communication with Lars-Otto Reiersen
12:30 – 13:00 Short communication workshop with Marta Anna Løvberg
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 Strategic Planning for the Coming Years with Roland Kallenborn
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee break
15:30 – 16:00 Group work/thematic discussions
16:00 – 17:00 Sum up/final remarks, next steps with Roland Kallenborn