Arc­tic Av­enue to boost stra­tegic co­oper­a­tion between Stock­holm and Helsinki

Arctic Avenue will be led by Professor Atte Korhola at the University of Helsinki and Associate Professor Nina Kirchner at Stockholm University. The project is funded with a total of 600.000 €, split evenly between Stockholm University and the University of Helsinki.

Currently, the Arctic is undergoing unprecedented warming. This will have consequences for humans and the natural environment locally, but has widespread implications also globally. For instance, the recent major changes in the Arctic may have contributed to the extreme weather events in many parts of the world. Such changes will have far-reaching implications: they may threaten global food production, for example.

– We take great pride in the strong multidisciplinary research on the Arctic that both universities carry out to tackle climate change, say vice rector Hanna Snellman at the University of Helsinki and vice president Clas Hättestrand at Stockholm University. – By joining forces, we are able to create an attractive hub for Arctic research with cutting-edge research that connects different disciplines and units at both universities.

Both universities have also excellent research infrastructure, including Arctic research stations. One goal of Arctic Avenue is to strengthen these stations as international platforms for high-impact Arctic research.

– Arctic Avenue will support our expertise to reach the absolute top international level. We will get a more comprehensive understanding of the factors and processes that are involved in a changing Arctic. This will enable us to draft forecasts for the future as well, says Atte Korhola, the leader of the University of Helsinki group.

– Our collaboration also recognizes that each partner contributes with different strengths and expertise. Combining them in a complementary way is central to achieving a better understanding of the changing Arctic. It also creates a thriving scientific environment in which young researchers can grow and be supported by Arctic Avenue, adds Nina Kirchner, the leader of the Stockholm University group.

Arctic Avenue kicks off with a research seminar in March. Follow Twitter #ArcticAvenue for more news.

For more information, please contact the leaders of Arctic Avenue, Atte Korhola (atte.korhola@helsinki.fi) and Nina Kirchner (nina.kirchner@natgeo.su.se).