Academia in Svalbard: An increasingly important role for research and education as tools for Norwegian policy

Abstract

Svalbard, a High-Arctic archipelago over which Norway practises sovereignty in accordance with the terms of the Svalbard Treaty, has become an increasingly important area for Arctic research and higher education. There are four more or less permanent settlements with substantial research infrastructure, and a few manned observatories for special purposes. Several Norwegian and foreign research institutions have established stations and installations in the archipelago. With coal mining activity scaling down because of economic difficulties and lack of political support for subsidies, Norwegian policy will prioritize research and higher education as a way of maintaining Norwegian settlements in Svalbard. I give an overview of the institutions, organizations and facilities for research and higher education in Svalbard, and discuss the increasingly important role of research and education in Norwegian Svalbard policy.