Arctic Frontiers Emerging Leader Report 2025

I had the privilege of participating in the Arctic Frontiers Conference 2025 in Tromsø, Norway, as part of the Emerging Leaders Programme, representing Ireland. This transformative experience brought together early-career researchers and professionals from around the world to address critical Arctic challenges and foster international collaboration.

The Arctic Frontiers Experience

The Arctic Frontiers conference is one of the world’s leading Arctic science and policy forums, bringing together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and Indigenous communities to discuss the rapidly changing Arctic environment and its global implications.

My Emerging Leaders Journey

The Emerging Leaders journey was an incredible adventure that started in Bodø, a vibrant city in northern Norway. From there, our group traveled to Andøya, an island renowned for its stunning landscapes and important role in space and atmospheric research.

The journey culminated in Tromsø, the "Gateway to the Arctic," where we participated in the prestigious Arctic Frontiers conference. This progression from Bodø through Andøya to Tromsø provided a comprehensive introduction to Norway's Arctic region and its diverse research landscapes.

Each location offered unique insights into Arctic research, from remote sensing and atmospheric studies in Andøya to the international scientific collaboration hub that is Tromsø. The journey itself became part of the learning experience, connecting us with the geography and communities that make Arctic research possible.

Journey map: Bodø → Andøya → Tromsø

Credit: Arctic Frontiers

Key Themes and Learning

Climate Change Impacts

The conference highlighted the accelerating pace of Arctic climate change and its cascading effects on global systems. As a researcher working on ecosystem monitoring and carbon dynamics, I found striking parallels between Arctic tundra ecosystems and the temperate peatlands I study in Ireland.

Indigenous Knowledge Integration

One of the most impactful aspects was learning about the integration of Indigenous knowledge with scientific research. This reinforced my belief in the importance of community-based monitoring and local knowledge in environmental research.

International Collaboration

The Emerging Leaders Programme fostered connections across disciplines and borders. These relationships will undoubtedly influence future collaborative research opportunities and strengthen international Arctic research networks.

Connecting Arctic and Temperate Ecosystems

My research on peatland carbon dynamics in Ireland has unexpected relevance to Arctic research. Both ecosystems serve as critical carbon stores and are vulnerable to climate change impacts. The methodologies I’ve developed for upscaling ecosystem measurements using satellite data (through the ICONEEx project) have potential applications in Arctic tundra monitoring.

Future Collaborations

The experience has opened doors for potential collaborations on:

• Cross-ecosystem carbon monitoring approaches
• Remote sensing applications in polar regions
• Climate change impact assessment methodologies
• International carbon accounting frameworks

Acknowledgements

I’m deeply grateful to the Embassy of Ireland in Norway and the Marine Institute for their support in funding this opportunity. This experience exemplifies the value of international scientific exchange and the importance of supporting emerging leaders in addressing global environmental challenges.

Read the full report on the Embassy of Ireland website

This post reflects on my participation in the Arctic Frontiers Conference 2025 as an Emerging Leader representative for Ireland, exploring connections between Arctic and temperate ecosystem research.