The Arctic is a Way of Life

Raised in rural Iceland and shaped by years of exploring cultures and communities across borders, Friðrik Þórsson sees the Arctic not just as a region, but as a way of life. As Project Manager at the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, he works to connect people, ideas, and Arctic communities across the North.

Tell us about yourself
I come from a rural Icelandic background where I was privileged to grow up close to nature, with strong cultural traditions and far away from the hustle of urban life. As I grew older, so did my fascination with other cultures and societies, which eventually led me toward a more nomadic lifestyle. That experience has shaped my passion for working across different perspectives and communities.

What sparked your curiosity about the Arctic?
I was first introduced to Arctic issues while assisting with research for a reference book on Polar Law. What fascinated me was how closely the Arctic connected to the way of life I had grown up with myself. That curiosity eventually brought me to the energetic Arctic community in Akureyri, where I feel I’ve finally put my wandering to rest.

What’s your current role?
I work as Project Manager at the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, where I get the opportunity to engage with a wide range of Arctic-related topics and work with people from across the region. What I think many people don’t expect is the sheer scope of the IACN’s work. It touches upon nearly anything relating to Iceland within the Arctic context, so I never really know what or who is waiting around the corner, and that’s something I genuinely enjoy.

What projects excite you right now?

I’m particularly fond of the West Nordic Research Managers’ Platform, which brings together researchers from Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands through workshops, networking, and knowledge exchange. For me, it’s a meaningful way to strengthen ties between Arctic societies that, despite their differences, share many common experiences and perspectives.

‍One surprising fact more people should know?
Some people wrongly presume the Arctic to be this homogenous, empty wilderness. In reality, it’s impossible to fully grasp the depth and diversity of the region. The Arctic contains such a vast variety of environments, peoples, and cultures that one could spend a lifetime exploring it and still only scratch the surface.

‍Biggest challenge today?
The effects of climate change are incredibly visible to me and are rapidly impacting nearly every aspect of life in the Arctic. At the same time, I also see growing challenges in how we, as an international community, manage to respond to those changes together.

‍Your advice to young people?
Be interdisciplinary, including natural and social sciences, and even law. You don’t have to know everything, but be open to listening to and learning from locals. Be respectful of communities that have lived here for centuries.Embrace not only your passion for the Arctic as a subject, but also as a place and a way of life. The Arctic is a remarkably intimate space, so it’s important to build genuine personal connections — both with the region itself and with the people who care deeply about it.

Lightning Round:

What keeps you motivated?
The sense of giving something back to the Arctic community that has given so much to me.

Who inspired you?
My fellow colleagues.

Favourite memory?
Being welcomed to take part in the festivities of Sámi National Day in the heart of Sápmi.

Favourite Arctic food/drink?
I hope grilled Arctic char isn’t too on-the-nose.

And one sentence to describe the Arctic?
A way of life.

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