Student story- Kasper Juhl Pedersen

I’ve visited Greenland several times as part of my biology degree at Aalborg University, and, in part thanks to UArctic, I had the opportunity to center my master’s thesis around the incredible nature of Greenland. Similar to my prior Arctic projects, I focused on the smaller-scale ecosystems, particularly the insects of the Arctic. The flora and fauna are always remarkable, offering rich diversity in a truly unique climate. 

Throughout my stay, I not only worked in these wonderful surroundings but also had the chance to meet many of the locals. One can only be grateful for how welcoming and warm-hearted the people are across all the towns I visited. As part of my fieldwork, I collected insects with a butterfly net in plain view, and engaging with locals while doing so—seeing their curiosity and interest in our work—was an incredible experience. Likewise, we had the opportunity to participate in aspects of the rich local culture.

My research, as mentioned, is centered on Arctic insects. These organisms have become particularly interesting to study, as climate change is undeniably challenging their survival worldwide. Greenland, in this regard, offers a very special system: it is comparatively untouched by human pollution, preserving a pristine environment in which to study the direct impacts of climate change. I feel privileged that my work can contribute to understanding these effects.

Furthermore, my project allowed me to collaborate with fellow students from our institution across multiple levels, as well as with external partners at research institutions in Greenland, such as the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources.

A sincere thank you to UArctic, and the north2north program, for enabling this possibility for me.