Student report from UArctic Congress 2026: Tobias Wessing

As I just completed my sixth semester as a Bachelor’s student in Greenlandic and Arctic Studies at the
University of Copenhagen, it has been an eventful and deeply inspiring experience to participate in the
UArctic Congress 2026 and the Ocean Connectivity Conference in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. It stands
out as one of the defining highlights of my academic journey so far.

 

As a emerging researcher, it was incredibly valuable to attend insightful presentations and panel
discussions and engage directly with researchers, policymakers, and representatives of Indigenous
peoples across the Arctic. I gained a uniquely nuanced perspective that I couldn’t have acquired
through reading alone.

My research interests revolve around health policy, waste management in the Arctic, agricultural
potential in the Arctic, and Indigenous food systems. At the UArctic Congress, I presented my recently
submitted bachelor’s thesis, which explores how type 2 diabetes is problematized in selected
Greenlandic policies. I gave a short presentation to a broad international audience in the session “One
Health Solutions Toward the Health of Humans, Animals, and Environment in the Arctic” and later
participated in a poster session. This was a major milestone for me, as the UArctic Congress 2026 was
my first conference.

While it was a bit overwhelming, it was truly amazing to have the opportunity to present my work and
see how it was received. Knowing that the project would reach a real audience made the research and
writing process feel meaningful and gave the work a purpose beyond simply fulfilling an assignment.
It was also inspiring to spend time with other young people from across the Arctic through the UArctic
Youth Network – I look forward to hopefully continuing the dialogue at Arctic Youth Conference in Nuuk
2027.

I am deeply grateful for the grant that made it possible for me to attend the UArctic Congress 2026.
Having access to such an opportunity at this stage of my academic journey has been inspiring and
influential. It has broadened my horizons, opened new perspectives on potential collaborations,
projects, and career paths, and enabled me to build a valuable network across the Arctic.
I hope to inspire other young people to attend conferences and experience the same excitement of
sharing knowledge, expanding their networks, and building meaningful relationships. Participating in
the UArctic Congress 2026 has strengthened my curiosity, confidence, and motivation to engage in
future conferences and collaborative initiatives.

I am truly thankful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing meaningful dialogue, building
trusting relationships and collaborations with UArctic universities and across the Circumpolar North –
and contribute to a continuing healthy, resilient and stronger Arctic!

Tobias' grant was funded by UArctic + Nordic Council of Ministers.