Research school at icebreaker foster a new generation of Arctic researchers
In August and September, the icebreaker Oden is in the waters around the Arctic to map the seabed. On board are also 18 PhD students from several countries attending a research school where practical work is combined with lectures.
Follow blog from the expedition
From August 9 to September 19, the Swedish icebreaker Oden and the Canadian icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent will carry out an expedition to map the seabed in the Arctic Ocean. The expedition departs and ends in Longyearbyen on Svalbard and is carried out partly to map within the framework of Article 76 of the United Nations Commission on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which regulates the possibility for coastal states to establish external boundaries for their continental shelf outside the economic zone.
On board Oden, a research school for PhD students (Early Career Scientist-programme) is also given, called The Arctic Ocean Climate System. The young researchers will combine practical work with observations and measurements that are linked to the participants' own research projects. They also receive a lecture series across the subject areas. After an examination, they receive a certificate for the course, which they can then use to transfer credits for the course within their doctoral education at their home universities.
Fostering a new generation of Arctic researchers
Michael Tjernström, professor emeritus of meteorology at Stockholm University with extensive experience of Arctic expeditions, is responsible for the research school. The purpose of the program is to increase interest in the Arctic among young aspiring researchers and to broaden the knowledge of those who are already interested, he says.
“The interest in participating exceeded all expectations, with over a hundred applications for 18 places. We have tried to prioritize PhD students who have not been to Oden and who would rather not have been to the Arctic before. In short – a new generation of polar explorers.”
The collaboration with Canada offered an opportunity to carry out this research school by creating space (= beds) on Oden that is not occupied for any other research. At the same time, there is always a need for further observations from the Arctic, which is severely under-observed. Within the research school, both parts of the programs that will help with the collaboration with Canada and a few more observation programs are staffed with PhD students under experienced supervision. This is supplemented by an interdisciplinary lecture program where the idea is that everyone, regardless of scientific major, should learn something about all the other areas as well.
Unique research school on icebreaker
Michael Tjernström is not aware of any similar research school being conducted before. There have been research schools on icebreakers before, also with some practical lab activities, but not directly linked to ongoing research activities.
“We also always have PhD students on `ordinary´ research expeditions, who work with research activities but without other educational activities. I think the combination of both is unique and my hope is that everyone will come back with not only in-depth knowledge in their own field but also an understanding – and interest – of the whole, the entire connected system.”
Five Stockholm PhD students participate
Of the 18 PhD students participating in the research school, 5 come from Stockholm University. These are Jan Matwiejczuk, Vicent Doñate Felip and Megh Kanvinde from the Department of Geological Sciences, as well as Ilaria Barale from the Department of Environmental Science and Lorenzo Luca Donati from the Department of Meteorology. The goal was to prioritize Swedish and Canadian applicants due to the underlying collaboration. Including PhD students from Uppsala University and the University of Gothenburg, there will be a total of seven PhD students from Sweden and another six from Canada. The rest come from other countries in Europe.
Sonar a prerequisite for the expedition
For many years, Stockholm University has been internationally prominent in research on mapping the seabed and has led several such expeditions on board Oden. At this summer's expedition, Martin Jakobsson, professor of marine geology and geophysics, is leading the work of measuring and upgrading sonar systems on board Oden. It takes place in the Fram Strait outside Svalbard in the days before the expedition departs.
“The sonar is a prerequisite for the expedition. Therefore, we will spend just over a week measuring them and checking that everything works," says Martin Jakobsson, who is responsible for the bottom mapping during the expedition but who is not on Oden during the expedition itself.
However, Matt O'Regan, professor of marine geology at Stockholm University, will be on board Oden. He will lead a working package where the researchers take sediment samples from the seabed. The aim is to create a better understanding of climate development from a longer time perspective and the geological development of the Arctic Ocean. Another working package is led by Ian Brooks, professor at Leeds University and honorary doctor at Stockholm University.
Mapping for new fibre-optic cables
The data collection from Oden will also contribute to another future project, called Polar Connect. This applies mainly to the geophysical mapping with Oden's sonar and sediment sampling. It involves planning the laying of new fibre-optic cables between Europe and Asia via the Arctic – something that can provide faster and more secure internet connections in the future.
Celebrating his 70th birthday at Oden
This will be Michael Tjernström's sixth expedition on Oden since the first summer of 2001. He has led two of the previous ones, ASCOS 2008 and ARTofMELT 2023. During the other three, he has led his own work packages.
“Since I am now emeritus, I had probably thought that ARTofMELT would be my last, but I guess it has become an ailment. If you are asked, it is difficult to say no. Now I get the opportunity to turn 70 years old on board, so this will probably be my last one.”
The plan is for this expedition, including the research school, also to be carried out in both 2026 and 2027.
Follow blog from the expedition
Canada-Sweden Arctic Ocean 2025
From August 9 to September 19, the Swedish icebreaker Oden will conduct an expedition with the Canadian icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent to map the seabed in the Arctic Ocean, which takes place within the framework of the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) program. In combination with this, there is also an extensive Early Career Scientist program on board, which consists of the course The Arctic Ocean Climate System.
The UNCLOS programme will also contribute data to the Ocean Decade Alliance's seabed mapping initiative, the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) and the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO). The Early Career Scientist programme combines practical work with observations and measurements linked to the participants' own research projects. In addition, an interdisciplinary lecture program is given.
The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is conducting the expedition together with The Geological Survey of Canada, Land and Mineral Sector. In addition to Swedish and Canadian researchers, geologists from Denmark and Greenland are also participating, and the Canadian ship also includes Inuit observers with special knowledge of marine mammals.
In parallel with the geological measurements, Oden will also contribute to another future project: Polar Connect. It involves planning the laying of new fibre-optic cables between Europe and Asia via the Arctic – something that can provide faster and more secure internet connections in the future. A special buoy with measuring equipment will also be placed in collaboration with the Norwegian research program Go North.
Read more about Canada-Sweden Arctic Ocean 2025 (Swedish Polar Research Secretariat)
Last updated: August 19, 2025
Source: Communications Office