On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Arctic Circle Business and Qeqqata Kommunia conducted the annual Kangerlussuaq Science Workshop – an international webinar that this year gathered over 60 participants from research environments, authorities, and business communities from around the world.
The event was conducted for the fifth consecutive year and clearly demonstrated increasing international interest in Kangerlussuaq as a research center – with participants and speakers from Greenland, Denmark, the UK, and the USA, among others. The participant group included both established researchers and profiles from international research environments as well as decision-makers and business actors with direct connections to Arctic research.
Director of Arctic Circle Business, Naasunnguaq Beck Kristensen, states:
- For us at Arctic Circle Business, it is crucial that researchers collaborate closely with local business operators. When research and local business go hand in hand, it creates both better research results and concrete value for the community of Kangerlussuaq. It is precisely this interaction that makes it possible to maintain and develop Kangerlussuaq as a strong Arctic research hub.
Background of the webinar
The purpose of the webinar is to bring together the Arctic research community around ongoing and upcoming research projects in Kangerlussuaq and the region, while strengthening collaboration between international researchers and local business. The webinar thus functions as a central meeting place between research, infrastructure, and local services.
In continuation of this, the website www.scienceservices.gl was also established. Here, interested parties can find an overview of Kangerlussuaq’s research, testing, and educational potential as well as the requirements, logistics, and facilities that are available – and not least see the presentations from the webinar.
Kangerlussuaq – unique attractions for Arctic research
Kangerlussuaq offers unique access to the ice sheet, land, and fjord supported by road networks, a stable and secure airport, many accommodation options, and a service-minded and experienced local business community that is accustomed to collaborating with international research projects.
New knowledge about wildlife and climate-related risks
The program featured a series of professional presentations from both national and international researchers. Particularly great interest was generated by presentations from both Researcher Mathilde Le Moullec from the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, who presented new research on how reindeer and musk oxen use and shape their landscape, as well as by PhD student from DTU, Steffen Ringsø Nielsen, about permafrost and landslides between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, where increased precipitation and changed rainfall patterns in recent years have led to many landslides.
Collaborations in Kangerlussuaq make research possible
This year’s webinar emphasizes that Kangerlussuaq continues to be a central starting point for Arctic research. With strong local partnerships and increasing international interest, the region is well-equipped to support future research and innovation projects.
