New Norwegian Strategy for Ny-Ålesund Research Station: Sets Language Requirements for Researchers

The Norwegian government has issued an updated strategy for the research station in Ny-Ålesund. The strategy says that everyone doing research there must have enough command of Norwegian or English. It also adds rules on how equipment is marked. The strategy replaces the one from 2019.

Under the language requirement, researchers and other personnel must be able to communicate in English or Norwegian with two bodies. One is Kings Bay (the state-owned company that runs Ny-Ålesund), which owns most of the buildings in the settlement. The other is the Polar Institute, which leads the station. Where a person falls short, Kings Bay may refuse to provide lodging and meals. The reasons given are safety and emergency preparedness.

The strategy also brings in approval procedures for installing new research infrastructure and instruments. Field instruments will have to carry the name of the institution and a project code. This gives the authorities an overview of who owns and uses them. The document sets out the conditions, framework and ambitions for research in Ny-Ålesund. It also clarifies what must be met to get access to the station.

Eileen Fugelsnes (Labour), Minister of Research and Higher Education, said in a press release that climate change, more activity in Svalbard and a shifted security situation made it necessary to develop the framework further. She said the update fits the station to current policy for research, the environment and security. She said clearer rules on language and field instruments matter for preparedness in the Arctic. She called the area a special place for climate and environmental study, with knowledge relevant worldwide. She said better coordination and sharing of data are crucial. She said Norway will go on facilitating safe, high-quality research cooperation. She said Norway aims to lead on academic freedom and open research.

The government says the strategy will strengthen the position of Ny-Ålesund as a leading Arctic research station. The Polar Institute is responsible for carrying it out. The work is to be seen alongside the Svalbard Research Office, opened in March.