Growing interest in the Arctic in recent years has resulted in a number of non-Arctic nations seeking influence in the region. One example is found in Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard, where a number of research stations are being operated by non-Arctic nations.
By observing and comparing the different types of research being conducted at these research stations in Ny-Ålesund, interviewing researchers and analyzing any symbols of a national presence in the built environment, researchers can study the extent to which research stations promote political legitimacy for countries seeking influence in matters pertaining to the Arctic.
Principal investigator
Eric Paglia
Division of History of Science, Technology and Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology