News Archive

17 June 2021 There's a dirtier side to the sea, and the ground beneath the sea is in fact, critical for maintaining a healthy planet.

21 May 2021 It is still possible to study at UNIS this autumn! We have some available spots for qualified applicants. Send us an e-mail today to apply!

11 June 2021 UNIS PhD candidate Fasil Tesema has studied the pulsating aurora - a low emission aurora. It is caused by high energy electrons which can reach deep into the atmosphere and can deplete ozone. This significant ozone loss suggests that pulsating aurora may alter the temperature and winds in the upper atmosphere. Tesema will defend his PhD thesis on 17 June 2021.

28 May 2021 In 2020, 299 students from 32 countries spent shorter or longer periods at UNIS, including both course students and guest students. Norwegian citizens (43%) were the largest group, followed by students from Germany and the Netherlands in second and third place, respectively. The drop in student numbers are due to the Covid-19 pandemic and cancelled courses.

27 May 2021 Science research and fieldwork is often time consuming and expensive to carry out. On Svalbard, two citizen scientists overwintering at an old trappers’ cabin in Van Keulenfjorden have aided UNIS researcher by collecting ice core samples.

22 May 2021 What do you see when you look at the sea ice? A vast extent of seemingly white nothingness, maybe dotted with a few cute seals soaking up the sunshine or a polar bear on the prowl. Would you believe that just below the surface is a hustling and bustling ecosystem?

21 May 2021 Despite the gorgeous spring-like weather in town the last week, winter conditions persist in the mountains around Longyearbyen.

20 May 2021 Arctic plants, insects, birds, and land mammals are experiencing wide ranging and diverse effects from climate change. Timing of key life events, changing habitats, introduction of new predators and potentially new diseases are among impacts described in a new report based on long-term biodiversity monitoring in the Arctic. UNIS professor Steve Coulson has participated in writing the report.

10 May 2021 Large volumes of residues from aqueous fire-fighting foam from the airports in Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund contaminate drainage water and pollutes the local marine environment.

3 May 2021 Snowmobiles in and around Longyearbyen pollute more than the local coal power plant.