Announcement of UArctic's new Associate VP for Polar Research Analytics

Keith Larson, PhD, is an internationally recognized Arctic leader in cross-cutting research, education, and policy. He is the Director of the Arctic Centre at Umeå University and the host of the European Polar Board and European Polar Coordination Office. He drives interdisciplinary and cross-cutting collaborations that address societal, environmental, and geopolitical challenges in the Arctic and the Polar regions. His research integrates Indigenous knowledge and Western science to understand climate change impacts, such as Arctic greening, biodiversity shifts, and their effects on Arctic communities.

Through his leadership, he fosters global partnerships through collaborative initiatives like the Arctic Six, the European Polar Board, the International Arctic Science Committee, and UArctic (including the Polar Research Analytics group). He leads public engagement efforts, including citizen science programs and high-profile media projects such as a recent segment on Arctic pollinators in BBC Frozen Planet II. Under his guidance, the Arctic Centre thrives as a hub for interdisciplinary and cross-cutting research and education activities, advancing sustainable development and evidence-based policymaking in the Polar regions. He has leadership positions at the Arctic Six, the European Polar Board, and the UArctic.

Thank you to Dr. Larson from all of us here at UArctic—we look forward to your continued contributions to Arctic research and education.