The research school was part of the Canada–Sweden Arctic Ocean 2025 expedition, a collaboration between the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and the Geological Survey of Canada – Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Oden sailed together with the Canadian icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent, which carried out measurements within the framework of UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). At the same time, an extensive education and training programme took place on board Oden, giving the young researchers practical experience in Arctic research.

– Oden is a unique learning environment. Here, science, logistics and reality come together in a way that cannot be recreated in a classroom, says Michael Tjernström, Professor Emeritus of Meteorology and coordinator of the research school.

Experienced researchers led the work packages

The researchers worked in eight different work packages – from sea ice physics and oceanography to biogeochemistry, meteorology and seismology. Each package was led by an experienced researcher, but the students themselves carried out the daily work. The result was an intensive combination of theory and practice where weather, ice and technology set the boundaries.

– Fieldwork in the Arctic requires improvisation and patience. You plan carefully, but every day turns out differently – that’s part of the learning process, says Tjernström.

On board Oden, the dining room served as a lecture hall. The schedule was adjusted according to the weather and observations, and internet access was limited. Despite – or perhaps thanks to – these conditions, a strong sense of community developed among the participants. In their spare time, the researchers could join on-board activities such as salsa lessons or the traditional table tennis tournament – activities that also strengthened team spirit.

– The most rewarding thing was seeing how the group came together. From the first day to the last, these young researchers became a real team, supporting each other both in their research and in everyday life, says Tjernström.

Investing in the next generation of polar researchers

The research conducted on board was also an important investment for the future. The number of researchers with hands-on experience from expeditions in the central Arctic is limited, while the need for new expertise is considerable. The research school therefore helps build a new generation of experts in climate and polar science.

– What we do here is not only about data and models, but about people. Understanding the Arctic requires perseverance, cooperation and respect for the power of nature. These are exactly the qualities we want to develop in the next generation of polar researchers, says Michael Tjernström.

When Oden returned to Longyearbyen in September, the participants brought home both new scientific knowledge and experiences for life – combining academic training with a tangible understanding of what Arctic research truly means.