Student report from UArctic Congress 2026: Bastien Papinot Lecomte
Bastien Papinot Lecomte, third-year PhD candidate at the University of Iceland, reflects on recent experiences attending the UArctic Congress 2026.
My name is Bastien Papinot Lecomte, and I am a third-year PhD candidate at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík. My doctoral research focuses on the diversity of the “bryosphere,” the community of organisms living within the moss layer. Throughout my PhD, I have primarily worked with moss samples collected across various regions of Iceland, as well as from Svalbard in the High Arctic. My research interests lie at the intersection of ecology and evolution, with a particular focus on understanding the relationships among living organisms and uncovering cryptic biodiversity. Bryophytes provide an ideal model system for exploring these questions, as they host remarkably diverse and often overlooked communities of organisms.
Attending the UArctic Congress represented an important milestone in my academic development. As my first large-scale international conference, it provided a unique opportunity to engage with a broad range of topics, disciplines, and researchers from across the Arctic and beyond. One of my personal goals was to meet, for the first time in person, a member of my PhD committee with whom I had previously only interacted remotely. The Congress also allowed me to expand my understanding of Arctic issues beyond my own biological research interests, gaining valuable insights into the social, cultural, environmental, and political dimensions of the Arctic region.
The travel grant was instrumental in making my participation possible. As I have now progressed beyond the initial three-year funding period of my PhD, financial resources have become increasingly limited. Without this support, attending the Congress would not have been feasible. I am therefore extremely grateful for the opportunity provided by this grant, which enabled me to participate in such an important international event and benefit from the many professional and scientific opportunities it offered.
During the Congress, I presented my research poster and had the opportunity to discuss my work with numerous researchers, students, and professionals. The interest shown in my research was both encouraging and motivating. I engaged in several meaningful conversations about bryosphere biodiversity, Arctic ecosystems, and future research directions. In particular, I exchanged contact information with students and researchers interested in conducting research in Iceland, opening the door to potential future collaborations. These interactions demonstrated the value of international conferences in creating networks that can lead to new partnerships, research opportunities, and knowledge exchange.
Overall, attending the UArctic Congress was an extremely valuable experience that will have a lasting impact on my studies and future career. Beyond presenting my work, I was able to establish professional connections, gain new perspectives on Arctic research, and strengthen the international visibility of my research. The experience reinforced the importance of collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge and highlighted the benefits of engaging with a diverse and international research community. I am sincerely grateful for the support provided through this grant, which made this enriching and professionally rewarding experience possible.
The travel grant was funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and UArctic.