Arctic Congress Bodø 2024: A three-in-one conference for arthropod experts and Arctic ambassadors alike

The Arctic Congress Bodø 2024 is three conferences in one – could you speak to your idea of bringing ICASS, the UArctic Congress and the High North Dialogue under one roof in Bodø?

Grete Hovelsrud: I recall sitting right here when Lars called me and proposed, "Since we both need to organize a conference for our organizations in 2024 – the UArctic Congress and the International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences, why don't we collaborate?"

A lot of the same people are involved in both UArctic and IASSA, and Lars pointed out early on that it wouldn't make sense for IASSA members to travel to Bodø twice in one year; it wouldn't be sustainable.

As we began planning together, Frode Mellemvik, the director of the High North Center at Nord University, suggested we also incorporate the annual High North Dialogue, held in Bodø, into a larger Arctic Congress. So here we are. It's been an acrobatic and diplomatic exercise, and we are not done yet, but the program is coming together very nicely.

Lars Kullerud: In addition to the logistical benefits and the sustainability of organizing a joint conference, the Arctic Council is another link between IASSA and UArctic. As Observers to the Council, we saw an opportunity in working together to attract representatives of the Arctic Council to Bodø for our event.

The 4 overarching congress themes align with the Norwegian Chairship priorities – how are you hoping that the conference will contribute to the Chairship?

Lars Kullerud: At UArctic, we align closely with the Arctic Council's Chairships. Consequently, we've decided that the UArctic Congress should directly reflect the current Chairship's program. I was therefore very happy when Grete and Frode agreed to let the priorities of the Norwegian Chairship guide our conference program. I believe this also serves as a respectful nod to Norway, the host country of the congress.

Grete Hovelsrud: This approach was quite unusual for IASSA members. Typically, the IASSA Council sets our conference themes. Also, many members are used to viewing the Arctic Council as a subject of research or from the standpoint of Observers to the Council. Nevertheless, the Norwegian Chairship's priorities accommodate a broad spectrum of topics, which allowed the structure and themes of our sessions to remain researcher-led.

Lars Kullerud: In a way it’s a bottom-up approach to the Chairship priorities. We have provided a platform for individuals passionate about their fields to create sessions that allow discussions on the current state of knowledge and existing knowledge gaps. We believe this approach will provide valuable insights for the Arctic Council, benefiting not just Norway but also the forthcoming Chairship held by the Kingdom of Denmark.

Grete Hovelsrud: There’s always room for overarching themes as set in the Chairship program to evolve further, and the Arctic Congress Bodø 2024 is a catalyst for this process. With this in mind, we're considering the possibility of creating a lasting legacy from the congress that could, among other outcomes, contribute to shaping future Chairship programs and their priorities.

What can attendees expect from the congress?

Grete Hovelsrud: Our conference agenda is packed, featuring over 100 parallel sessions each day for three days, totaling nearly 2000 presentations. Alongside these, we're hosting significant plenary sessions daily in the Stormen Concert Hall's main hall, with a diverse lineup of speakers set to spark engaging discussions. Around these central activities, we've planned poster sessions, exhibitions, and a cultural program integrated into the congress.

We're also trying to shine a spotlight on the local Lulee and Piteå Sámi cultures, including hosting screenings of Sámi films at the Bodø movie theater and facilitating discussions with Indigenous elders from other parts of the Arctic.

Additionally, we're branching out into unconventional spaces and revealing some of Bodø's hidden gems to our attendees. This includes hosting two "pubinars" – seminars held in a pub – focusing on geopolitics and future cooperation with Russia. The congress dinner will be held in seven lavvos put together, and we will arrange a variety of cultural walks (complete with a guide to Instagram-worthy spots) and excursions in and around Bodø. For those bringing partners, we've even designed a separate excursion program, ensuring there's something for everyone visiting Bodø.

What makes the congress a unique place for attendees?

Lars Kullerud: We already mentioned that the session topics were developed in a bottom-up approach, which has been a very inclusive way to ensure a wide variety of topics – ranging from themes that are of general interest to very specific, niche topics. I can give one related example without picking out a specific session: within UArctic, there's a large thematic network focused on Arthropods of the Tundra that brings together top experts in the field. If our networks were based on top-down decisions, these smaller, yet important, aspects of the Arctic might not have gotten as much attention.

What makes the Arctic Congress Bodø 2024 unique is its ability to convene experts on both broad and specific subjects, placing them in the same space (whether a room or a pub) with high-level policymakers. With this setup we are creating a meeting space for individuals who might not normally meet, like the arthropod expert and the Arctic ambassador.

This is why the congress is an in-person event. We aim for attendees to meet face-to-face and forge lasting connections.

Any program highlights you are especially looking forward to?

Grete Hovelsrud: One highlight is the active participation of youth representatives. We're seeing initiative from Indigenous youth groups, who are actively involved in shaping the conference agenda. Additionally, we're welcoming young professionals through the High North Dialogue Academy, UArctic, and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), and we are actively recruiting young Arctic researchers and educators.

Lars Kullerud: We've also extended invitations to the rectors from all universities within the UArctic network, urging them to bring along a student to participate in a special training program hosted by the High North Centre at Nord University.

Furthermore, we've reached out to the founding members of UArctic and those instrumental in its creation. This opens the door to valuable intergenerational discussions between the youth and the organization's founders, bridging a gap of 30 to 40 years. Our aim is to foster a space where these generations can interact and share insights in an informal setting.