About the Centre for the Arctic and Antarctic

The Centre is a platform for research and education at Luleå University of Technology focusing on issues related to the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Centre for the Arctic and the Antarctic supports, coordinates, and communicates the university’s activities in this field, as well as the collaborations in which the university is involved.

Luleå University of Technology has a strong Arctic profile, which is embedded in the university's Vision 2030. All faculties at the university are engaged in Arctic research and education, and several are also involved in Antarctic research. Through its history and geographic location, the university is firmly rooted in the Arctic region of Sweden.

The Centre for the Arctic and the Antarctic plays a coordinating role within Luleå University of Technology for Arctic and Antarctic-related matters—both internally and externally.

The Centre aims to lead and contribute to strong collaboration with various societal actors connected to our part of the Arctic—including cooperation with municipalities, regions, industry, organizations, and cultural institutions.

It shall contribute to research that supports the development of a sustainable Arctic industry, taking into account the challenges brought by the green transition, such as goal conflicts and land-use tensions.

Furthermore, it shall assist and participate in research efforts related to Indigenous peoples and national minorities in the north, both nationally and internationally.

Through information, communication, and active engagement, the Centre will create synergies and new collaborations among researchers at Swedish universities and research institutes active in Arctic and Antarctic research.

Swedish Polar Research Secretariat

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, the government agency that supports and coordinates Swedish polar research, is the Centre’s main partner. The Secretariat is located on the Luleå University of Technology campus, which provides excellent opportunities for collaboration.

Arctic Centre at Umeå University

The Centre for the Arctic and the Antarctic also has an established collaboration with the Arctic Centre at Umeå University (Arcum). Together with Arcum and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, the three organizations have jointly founded the Swedish Centre for the Arctic and the Antarctic, aiming to become a national centre for all universities and research institutes in Sweden with research interests in the polar regions.

Together with Arcum and the Secretariat, the Centre will co-host the European Polar Board from 2025–2029. The European Polar Board is an organization that supports EU polar research and coordinates its resources.

The Arctic Six and UArctic

The Centre for the Arctic and the Antarctic supports and coordinates the university’s participation in The Arctic Six and University of the Arctic (UArctic).

The Arctic Six is a collaboration between six Arctic universities in the Nordic region: Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Nord University, University of Oulu, and University of Lapland.

UArctic is a network of universities and other research institutes across the circumpolar North.