4 March 2026
Jørgen Berge is the new Director of The Arctic Six
Since 1 February 2026, Jørgen Berge has been the new Director of The Arctic Six. He is Pro-Rector for Research and Development and Professor of Arctic Marine Biology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
His research focuses on how organisms in the polar night maintain their circadian rhythms and sense of orientation. A large share of his research has been conducted on the island of Svalbard. He is also a board member of Arctic Ocean 2050, a 10-year research programme comprising 18 Norwegian research institutions and led by UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The programme aims to develop inter- and transdisciplinary insights into the current impacts of climate change on the Arctic Ocean from environmental, industrial, and political perspectives.
Jørgen Berge believes that The Arctic Six has a similarity to Arctic Ocean 2050 in that both address the geopolitical consequences of changes in the European Arctic caused by the greenhouse effect.
An east-west orientation
“The Arctic Six is an organisation comprising six universities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, all of which are members of NATO. Historically, there has been a north–south orientation in the Nordic countries and in Europe. We represent six universities spread across our countries in an east–west orientation. Considering the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic, The Arctic Six plays an important role in the total defence of the Nordic countries,” says Jørgen Berge.
During his directorship of The Arctic Six, his aim is to strengthen the research network between the member universities.
“I want to ensure that our research collaboration, channelled mainly through The Arctic Six Chairs, is considered attractive among researchers at our universities. Our cooperation in education is no less important, but it will take longer than the duration of my directorship before it becomes a fully functioning organisation.”
During Jørgen Berge’s directorship, The Arctic Six will also establish a permanent secretariat. It has not yet been decided which member university will host the secretariat.
"Establishing a permanent secretariat is an important step towards a more robust organisation, and will help us establish the Arctic Six as an important alliance for all partners”
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