RESEARCH POLICY

 

Greenlandic research policy

In the beginning of 1993, research was established as a field of responsibility under the Ministry of Culture, Education, Research, and Clerical Matters. At the same time, the minister was given responsibility for the drafting of a Greenlandic research policy. The policy was described in a Report on and Plan of Action for Research Policy 1998-2000 which was submitted during the 1997 autumn session of the parliament. The report details goals for research in Greenland and a number of proposals concerning research focus areas.

 

Some Greenlandic research institutions are:

 

• The University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik) where research in Greenlandic language and literature takes place.
• The Institute of Natural Resources (Pinngortitaleriffik) having as its mission to provide the scientific basis for a sustainable use of the living resources of Greenland and secure the environment and the biological diversity.
• Greenland Climate Research Centre studying the effect of climate change on Arctic marine, limnic, and terrestrial environments and on the Greenlandic society, including strategies of adaptation and of prevention
• Greenland National Museum and Archives (Nunatta Katersugaasivia Allagaateqarfialu) doing research in the history of civilization in order to document contemporary history
• Statistics Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaanni Naatsorsueqqissaartarfik) which may carry out research within the context of the social sciences
• Centre for Arctic Technology (ARTEK) conducting research within the areas of construction techniques, the production of energy, and the area of environment and raw materials

 

Greenland Survey (ASIAQ) and the Institute for Educational Science also carry out research. Furthermore, research in medical science takes place at Dronning Ingrids Hospital in

Nuuk.

 

The research institutions of Greenland are described in the following.

 

Advancement on Research

In order to promote research communities in Greenland, a pool of funds has been established for new research projects. Since 1997, two hand outs per year have taken place. As from 2006, grants from the receipts from the state football pools are handed out for non-profit research purposes as part of the pool.

 

A special pool has been establish to support medical science research.

 

The government has selected a number of research areas as focus areas:

 

• Existing research in environment, nature and resources
• Social science and business development research
• Framework conditions for business development
• Cultural history and linguistic studies
• Social and welfare related matters
• Health and nutrition

 

Research Co-operation and Networking

Research co-operation and networking are supported. Research seminars are held in co-operation between Greenlandic research institutions. The research institutions and the researchers participate in international networks.

 

Dissemination

The dissemination of research results takes places within the context of Inussuk - Arktisk Forskningsjournal, a publication series. Each research institution also disseminates its results via its own publications.

The dissemination of research in Greenland also takes place within the context of the newsletter of the research unit, a newsletter which is published four times per year, as well as "Meet Your Researcher" which is a monthly event organised in co-operation with Katuaq.

 

Danish Research Policy

The Research Co-ordination Committee (KUF) publishes reports on Arctic research.

 

Danish-Greenlandic Research Co-Operation

The wish for a more equal research co-operation between Greenland and Denmark led to the establishment of a committee concerned with Danish-Greelandic research co-operation.

 

International Research Co-Operation

In recent years the international interest in research in the Arctic has increased. This concerns the areas of environment and climate, natural resources, social development, and geopolitics.

 

Apart from Denmark, a number of countries have an interest in research in the Arctic, e.g. Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, England, Frnace, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, and the USA.

 

Several of these countries have established centres for polar research or research institutes in Greenland. A number of international networks, organisations and commissions with a focus on the Arctic region has also been established.

 

Greenland Related Research

The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy prepares a report on Greenland related research and development in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture, Education, Research and Clerical Affairs. The report is prepared bi-annually.

 

Figure 1

Researchers Engaged in Greenland Related Research

Source: The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy

 

Figure 2

Full-Time Equivalents Spent on Greenland Related Research

Source: The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy

 

Figure 3

R&D Expenses on Greenland Related Research

Kilde: The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy

 

The International Polar Year 2007-2009

The international polar year (IPY) is an international initiative carried out by the International Council for Science (ICSU) with a view to strengthening interdisciplinary research in the polar regions of the globe.

 

Links

At www.nanoq.gl it is possible to read more about the following:

 

• Report on Research Policy
• The Committee Concerning Danish-Greenlandic Research Co-Operation
• International Research Co-Operation

 

Read more about the The Research Co-ordination Committee (KUF) at www.fi.dk.

 

Read more about Greenland related research and development at www.cfa.au.dk.

 

See the outcome of the International Polar Year 2007-2009 at www.polarfocus.dk.