CNARC Member Institutions

Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) founded in 1989, dedicates itself to the scientific research and logistic support for the polar expedition. The main functions of PRIC are 1) to conduct research of science, technology and strategic issues in the polar regions; 2) to undertake environments monitoring and conservation in the polar regions; 3) to operate research stations, vessels and aircrafts and provide logistic supports to Arctic/Antarctic research expeditions; 4) to carry out education and outreach of polar science and promote international cooperation.

Founded in 1960, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) is a comprehensive research organization for studies of international politics, economy, security strategy and China’s external relations. The SIIS is dedicated to serving for China’s modernization drive, and for Shanghai’s opening-up and economic development. It mainly studies the United States, Japan, Europe, Russia and the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on relations among major powers and China’s periphery environment.

Ocean University of China (OUC) is a comprehensive university with particular strengths in oceanography, fisheries science and Polar science. Particularly, Polar research is a national specialty with great characteristics and also a distinguished major in China. OUC has the biggest and earliest team in mainland China, made up of six professors focusing on polar research. We established Polar Research Institute in 2007 in OUC and has been one of the most famous think tanks in China specializing at polar affairs, which has been officially recognized by Ministry of Education of the PRC.

The Center for Polar and Deep Ocean Development (PDOD), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), founded in June 2013, has built its strengthen on polar issues and deep seabed mining related subjects. Over the years, PDOD has established its excellence as a comprehensive academic research institute and policy advisory agency collaborating with multidisciplinary departments and research sources within and beyond SJTU, particularly in the fields related to marine sciences, marine technology, marine engineering, equipment and marine social sciences.

Center for Polar and Oceanic Studies (CPOS), Tongji University, established in 2009, is the first such academic institution in China’s colleges and universities with the comprehensive studies on the Arctic and Antarctic politics, law, security, society, environment, economy, and China’s polar strategy and polar policy.

Dalian Maritime University (DMU) is one of the largest and best maritime universities and is the only key maritime institution under the Ministry of Transport, People’s Republic of China. DMU enjoys a high reputation internationally as an excellent center of maritime education and training that is recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The Center of Polar Issues Studies was approved as one of the national-level international and regional research centers by China’s Ministry of Education in June 2017. It became a member of China-Nordic Arctic Research Center in May 2018 and a member of the Northeast Asia Arctic Shipping Research Alliance on October 29, 2020. On December 24, 2020, the Center was awarded the title of the international and regional research center with a high-level construction by the Ministry of Education.

Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU), the cradle of China’s aquaculture education, was founded in 1912 as Jiangsu Provincial Fisheries College. In 2008, the university was renamed as Shanghai Ocean University. And in 2017, it became one member of the national “Double First-Class Initiative” program for its First-Class Discipline of aquaculture.

The Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS) supports research, innovation, education and culture in Iceland. RANNIS administers competitive funds in the fields of research, innovation, education and culture, as well as strategic research programmes. RANNIS coordinates and promotes Icelandic participation in European programmes, such as Horizon 2020, Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. In Arctic science cooperation, RANNIS represents Iceland within the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and various other international Arctic platforms. RANNIS monitors resources and performance in R&D and promotes public awareness of research and innovation, education and culture in Iceland.

The Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland is built exclusively for Arctic research and outreach. Combining researchers, communicators, and a science centre exhibition, it enjoys a high international reputation and gathers Finland’s leading Arctic expertise. The research at the Arctic Centre currently focuses on five main themes: Global Change, Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law, Northern Political Economy, Arctic Anthropology, and Arctic Governance. The combination of social sciences, anthropology, natural sciences, and law studies makes it possible to have a holistic understanding of the developments and life in the Arctic.

The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) is an independent Norwegian foundation engaged in research on international environmental, energy and resource management politics and law. The main disciplines are political science and international law, but FNI researchers also hold degrees in economics, geography, history and social anthropology, and have special language and regional competence on Russia and China.

Nord University, with 12,000 students and 1,200 employees, offers education at bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The university has nine study locations in Central and Northern Norway, with state of the art teaching and research facilities, located in a spectacular northern setting. Nord University has a focus on developing regional networks with communities, business and industry, which is strengthened by a decentralised model.

Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS) is an academically independent Nordic research and resource center, focusing on modern Asia from a predominantly social sciences perspective. NIAS is an integrated part of the University of Copenhagen with the status of a centre under the Department of Political Science. Through the Nordic NIAS Council (NNC), in which leading Nordic universities and research institutions participate, NIAS organizes a well-functioning institutionalized cooperation that strengthens collaboration in the Nordic countries.

The Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) is active within fields of scientific research, mapping and environmental monitoring in the Arctic and Antarctic. The Institute advises Norwegian authorities in strategic and thematic matters relating to the Polar Regions, represents Norway internationally on various occasions and is Norway’s competent environmental authority in Antarctica. NPI’s key activities are monitoring of climate, environment pollutants and biodiversity and geological and topographic mapping.

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is a government agency mandated to coordinate and promote Swedish polar research. Its primary mission is organizing and supporting research expeditions to the polar regions and managing research infrastructure. The Secretariat also helps to create favorable conditions for polar research that does not involve fieldwork. The Secretariat’s about 30 employees are engaged in research planning, research infrastructure, communication and administration.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is one of the four comprehensive universities in Norway and the northernmost university in the world. Its location on the edge of the Arctic implies a mission, in particular as the Arctic is of increasing global importance. Climate change, the exploitation of Arctic resources and environmental threats are topics of great public concern, and which UiT takes special interest in. 16,500 students and 3,500 staff study and work at UiT The Arctic University of The Evolution of CNARC 2013-2018 Norway.

Umeå University was founded in 1965 and is Sweden’s fifth oldest university. Today, we have a strong international and multicultural presence with students, teachers and researchers from all over the world. Offering around 2,000 courses and 150 study programmes, among them over 30 Master’s programmes in English. The number of students has risen steadily and is now around 36,000. Umeå University’s research spans the humanities, social sciences, educational sciences, medicine, and natural and engineering sciences.

The University of Akureyri (UNAK) was founded in 1987 and is located in the capital of North Iceland, Akureyri. The University is divided into two Schools: School of Health, Business and Science and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. UNAK offers PhD and masters’ opportunities to postgraduate students in a wide range of subjects – and is recognized for the excellence of its faculty in the area of Arctic research and education. The Master’s degree in Polar Law at the University of Akureyri is the first of its kind and unique in the world.