About

Arctic Centre is a national and international hub of information and centre of excellence that conducts multidisciplinary research in changes in the Arctic region. It is located in the Arktikum House, Rovaniemi, Finland.

Dr. Johanna Ikävalko is the director of the Arctic Centre.

Arctic research in social, political and environmental issues

The Arctic Centre conducts locally, regionally and internationally significant research to address societal and environmental challenges. Our research combines approaches from the human, social, legal and natural sciences. It is organized into four research programmes:

• Arctic politics and development
• Arctic societies: Past, present, future
• Global change
• Just green transition

Arctic Studies Programme

Education is part of all the activities of the centre. The Arctic Centre proposes a one-year Arctic Studies Programme that serves as an introduction to issues that are relevant in the Circumpolar North.

The Arctic Centre’s Science Communication team and library compile, popularize and communicate Arctic issues to experts, decision makers and the general public. With science communication we promote visibility and impact of our research and raise awareness of the Arctic region.

The Science Centre is located in the Arktikum House together with the Provincial Museum of Lapland. Over 100 000 persons visit the Arktikum House every year, half of them tourists from abroad. The Science Centre exhibitions display the results of Arctic research interactively and inform about the nature and people in the Arctic region.

Regional, national and international cooperation

The Arctic Centre has an extensive multidisciplinary cooperation network and members of the Arctic Centre staff serve as experts around the world.

Among others, Arctic Centre is a member of the European Polar Board which is an independent European Organization of Directors and Managers of the major European National Polar Programmes. It is concerned with major strategic priorities in the Arctic and Antarctic and has members from national operators and research institutes in 17 countries. Arctic Centre is also a member of the China-Nordic Research Center.