Organisation

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is a government authority under the Ministry of Education and Research. Its task is to promote Swedish Polar research by organising and leading research expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic, primarily as part of international efforts.

Staff and Advisory Council

The Swedish Polar Research Secretary has a staff of about 20 in various units: management and administration, expeditions and logistics, communication and documentation, and the environmental unit. The Director of the authority is Björn Dahlbäck. From 1 January 2008 the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is a single-council-authority, which means that the head of authority (i.e. the Director-General) is completely responsible for all activities. The Government has appointed an Advisory Council that will provide public insight in the organisation and give the Director-General advice.

Research planning and environment

For research planning, the Secretariat co-operates with the Swedish Research Council.

The Secretariat actively works to improve environmental protection in the Polar Regions and since 1994, the Secretariat is the authority that dispenses permits and oversees activities related to the Swedish Act on Antarctica.

Offices and logistics

The offices of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat are at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. The Secretariat also has a logistics unit, the Logistic Centre, with offices and warehouse in Kräftriket in the vicinity of the main office and Stockholm University. The International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC) international program office is co-located with the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat.

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat has two research stations in Antarctica, Wasa and Svea. Through a long-term contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration, the icebreaker Oden is used for marine research expeditions in both the Arctic and Southern Ocean.

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