The Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Climate has published on the Government Consultation Portal a proposal for the Vilhjálmur Stefánsson Arctic Institute to become part of the University of Akureyri.

By Sílvia Gómez, Beatriz Patraca, Jade Zoghbi, Eduard Ariza, Maria Wilke, Níels Einarsson (SAI), Sveinbjörg Smáradóttir (SAI), Edward Huijbens & Catherine Chambers (SAI). This explorative study contributes to developing methods using social media data and social network theory in tourism studies to unravel cultural ecosystem values. Focused on the case of an emblematic village for whale-watching activity, Húsavík, in Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland, this study explores the cultural ecosystem service values of individuals as expressed through social media (TripAdvisor and Instagram) related to the practice of whale-watching. The aim is to document the cultural ecosystem service values and environmental judgements which provide information that could be used in future marine planning efforts.

The seminar on 17 November was organized by the Stefansson Arctic Institute, the Institute of Arctic Studies in the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College, and the University of Akureyri as part of the programme for the Arctic Days in Akureyri, Iceland, November 15-17, 2023. The focus for the day-long conversation was on the future of Arctic cooperation.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Stefansson Arctic Institute, we joined hands with the Institute of Arctic Studies at the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College in the US and the University of Akureyri in organizing and hosting the Arctic Days in Akureyri on November 15-17.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Stefansson Arctic Institute, we have joined hands with the Institute of Arctic Studies at the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College in the US and the University of Akureyri in organizing and hosting the Arctic Days in Akureyri on November 15-17 and the 21st Vilhjálmur Stefánsson Memorial Lecture.

Chris Dunn is a Fulbright scholar with an NSF Arctic Research Grant focused on his project, "Applying the Environmental Humanities to Conservation Management and Policy in Iceland." A key aspect of this investigation is the ongoing conflict between conservation and renewable energy development in Iceland's Central Highland.

As always, members of SAI staff attended the Arctic Circle Assembly 2023.

Ambassador Carrin F. Patman and her entourage visited Borgir on October 2, 2023. She met with representatives of institutes that work on Arctic matters in Borgir who introduced their work to her.

On September 13 the Institute received several good guests.

A group of from Polar Raid came to learn about the Stefansson Institute and the Arctic.