The Arctic is a Place of Peace

Maria Ackrén is the Director of the Stefansson Arctic Institute at the University of Akureyri, having previously spent 15 years in Greenland as a researcher and professor. With a lifelong fascination for Arctic exploration and a career spanning several Nordic countries, she shares her perspective on the region's diversity, its challenges, and the importance of experiencing Arctic life firsthand.

Tell us about yourself
I am originally coming from the Åland Islands in Finland where I grew up and lived before entering my study life. I have been living in Sweden in Sundsvall where I took my BA-degree in Political Science and then I moved back to Finland to take my MA- and PhD-degree at Åbo Akademi University. Thereafter, I moved to Greenland in 2011 to take up a position as Associate Professor in Political Science at Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland and became a full Professor of Political Science in 2024. I moved to Akureyri in the end of April 2026 to take up my new role as Director of the Stefansson Arctic Institute at the University of Akureyri where I work right now. I am an islander with an islander's mentality by heart.

What sparked your curiosity about the Arctic?
I have always been fascinated by the great explorers and their travels around the Arctic and with my move to Greenland I really could experience the same things that former explorers had been experiencing long before me. The spectacular landscapes, the harsh nature, the stormy weather and the warm people. This gives you an idea how small you really are and that you have to live on the nature's conditions, which also gives you a lot of patience since not everything works as planned every day. I ended up in Akureyri because of change of work, which I really enjoy and I am looking forward to develop the Stefansson Arctic Institute further.

What’s your current role?
My current role is to be the Director of the Stefansson Arctic Institute at the University of Akureyri, which means that I take care of the daily tasks at the Institute and support my staff with various things.

I am part of the "Training for Warriors" (TFW) in Akureyri and this is really fun. It is a really nice community and a way to learn to know locals.

What projects excite you right now?
I am working on various projects right now. I have several research projects I am involved in. I am also preparing and planning ICASS XII together with my secretariat here in Akureyri as President of IASSA. I will also be part of the planning of the EU Arctic Forum, which will take place here in Akureyri next year. All this work is exciting.

‍One surprising fact more people should know?
The Arctic is not homogenous. It is a region with very diverse governance systems and different groups of people. Most of the time the Arctic is framed as just one coherent region, but there are many Arctic(s). You can use a lifetime exploring this region and you will always encounter some new things.

‍Biggest challenge today?
The climate change is, of course, one of the biggest factors affecting the livelihoods in the Arctic, but also the geopolitical situation can be seen as a challenge for keeping the Arctic as a safe and peaceful place.

‍Your advice to young people?
I would suggest that they should move to an Arctic place and live there for a while or do exchanges within study programs in an Arctic environment to learn and get to know how the Arctic functions and to get a hands-on experience.

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Lightning Round:

What keeps you motivated?
I have quite a positive mind, so I keep reminding myself that small steps will lead to greater things.

Who inspired you?
Different colleagues.

Favourite memory?
Nuuk will always have a special place in my heart.

Favourite Arctic food/drink?
Moskus meat and Icelandic skyr.

And one sentence to describe the Arctic?
The Arctic is a place of peace.

Book Recommendation
Satu Rämö's Hildur series.

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