About The University of Iceland

Dr. Freysteinn Sigmundsson serves as Research Professor at the Nordic Volcanological Center within the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, where he has established himself as a leading authority in volcano geodesy and tectonic processes. After completing his Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Colorado in 1992, following his BS and MS degrees from the University of Iceland, he has made significant contributions to understanding volcanic and tectonic processes, particularly through his work on magma movements and the Earth's response to climate change. His research impact is evidenced by over 90 scientific publications and his influential book "Iceland Geodynamics, Crustal Deformation and Divergent Plate Tectonics" (Springer, 2006). As coordinator of the European FUTUREVOLC project (2012-2016) and point of contact for the Icelandic Volcanoes permanent geohazard supersite, he has led groundbreaking initiatives in volcanic monitoring and hazard evaluation

Dr. Evgenia Ilyinskaya serves as Associate Professor at the Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, University of Leeds, where she specializes in volcanic gases and aerosol particles research. After completing her Ph.D. in Volcanology from the University of Cambridge and B.Sc. in Geology from Royal Holloway, University of London, she has established herself as a leading authority in monitoring volcanic activity and its environmental impacts. Her career includes pioneering work at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, where she implemented volcanic gas measurements as a monitoring tool, and significant contributions at the British Geological Survey. Her research spans active volcanoes across Iceland, Central America, Hawaii, Antarctica, and Japan, focusing on sampling and analyzing volcanic emissions. As lead compiler of the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes and principal investigator of the 'Unseen but not unfelt' project at Masaya volcano in Nicaragua, she continues to advance the field of volcanology while teaching undergraduate courses ranging from introductory chemistry to specialized volcanic processes at Leeds.

Dr. Michael Poland serves as a research geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory and currently holds the position of Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. After earning his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from Arizona State University and B.S. in Geology from UC Davis, he has established himself as a leading authority in volcano geodesy, specializing in surface deformation and gravity fields associated with volcanic activity. His career spans critical roles at multiple USGS observatories, including ten years as staff geodesist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, where he participated in numerous volcanic crisis responses, including the 2014-2015 Pahoa lava flow crisis. His research employs both space-based technologies like InSAR and ground-based techniques such as microgravity surveys to understand magma movement and accumulation beneath volcanoes. As a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and member of multiple professional organizations, he continues to advance volcanic monitoring techniques while leading public education efforts about volcanic hazards, particularly through his work coordinating research activities at Yellowstone

GRÓ (International Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change) operates under UNESCO's auspices as Iceland's premier institution for development cooperation, focusing on four critical areas through specialized training programs. Established with core funding from the Icelandic government's development assistance budget, GRÓ has trained over 1,670 fellows through its six-month programs and supported 128 scholars in obtaining advanced degrees at Icelandic universities. The centre's four flagship programs - the Fisheries Training Programme (FTP), Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GEST), Geothermal Training Programme (GTP), and Land Restoration Training Programme (LRT) - address specific UN Sustainable Development Goals while leveraging Iceland's expertise in these fields. Since its inception, GRÓ has expanded its reach to over 100 partner countries, conducting short courses for nearly 5,000 participants in developing nations, while securing additional funding through partner institutions, grants, and international project participation. The centre's impact is particularly evident in its alumni's achievements, from contributing to constitutional amendments addressing gender equality to advancing sustainable resource management practices in their home countries

Dr. Giti Chandra serves as Research Specialist and Lecturer with the Gender Equality Studies and Training (GEST) programme at the University of Iceland, bringing extensive expertise in gender studies, literature, and violence against women. After completing her doctorate from Rutgers University on Women and Violence, she has built a diverse career spanning academia and creative writing, including positions as Associate Professor at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and teaching roles at the University of Iceland. Her scholarly work includes the groundbreaking "Narrating Violence, Constructing Collective Identities" (Macmillan, 2009) and co-editorship of the Routledge Handbook on the #MeToo Movement, while her creative portfolio encompasses The Book of Guardians Trilogy, short stories, and poetry

Dr. Thomas Brorsen Smidt serves as Academic Coordinator and Research Manager at the GRÓ GEST (Gender Equality Studies and Training) programme at the University of Iceland, where he has made significant contributions to gender studies education since 2010. After earning both his MA and Ph.D. in gender studies from the University of Iceland, he has established himself as an expert in sexual politics, gender and education, masculinity studies, and feminist and queer theory. His research focuses on women's issues in higher education, with numerous international publications in the field. As a key figure in the GEST programme, which provides postgraduate diploma training to professionals from developing and post-conflict countries, he coordinates academic content and delivers lectures across various modules while managing research initiatives that strengthen gender equality globally. His work contributes to the program's mission of educating 20-25 young professionals annually in gender equality methods and theories, helping to build capacity for gender-sensitive project implementation in their home countries

Hjalti Snær Ægisson serves as a Ph.D. candidate and Lecturer in Comparative Literature at the University of Iceland, where he specializes in World Literature and the intersection of Latin and Icelandic literary traditions. His scholarly contributions include co-editing two significant works: "Að Skilja Undraljós" (2011), examining the works of Þórbergur Þórðarson, and "Latína er List Mæt" (2014), focusing on Icelandic Neo-Latin Literature. His research centers on the cultural translation and adaptation of Latin works in Icelandic contexts, while his translation work includes rendering modern Italian novels into Icelandic and his current project translating Benedikt Gröndal's 1871 essay "De Studiis Classicis." Through his teaching and research, he continues to bridge classical and contemporary literary traditions while contributing to the preservation and understanding of Iceland's rich literary heritage

Beth Rogers serves as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Iceland, where she combines her diverse academic background with innovative research on the cultural significance of dairy products in medieval Iceland. After earning her BA in News-editorial journalism from the University of Illinois and MA in Secondary Education, she developed a unique perspective through teaching experiences across three continents, including English Literature and Computer Coding in Iceland and English as a Foreign Language in Taiwan. Her academic journey led to a second MA in Medieval Icelandic Studies from the University of Iceland, where she now pursues doctoral research focusing on the historical and cultural importance of dairy products, particularly skyr, in medieval Icelandic society. Her published works span diverse topics, from analyzing Völsunga saga to examining food representations in the Russian Primary Chronicle, while her current research explores the intersection of food history, cultural identity, and medieval literature through the lens of Iceland's dairy traditions. Her teaching certifications in both the United States and Iceland, combined with her multilingual capabilities, enable her to bridge cultural and historical perspectives in both her research and teaching.

Dr. Aiko Holvikivi serves as Assistant Professor of Gender, Peace and Security at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where she combines academic expertise with practical experience in international security policy. Her research focuses on transnational movements of people and knowledge, examining how these dynamics produce and are shaped by gendered and racialized security practices. Drawing from her professional background in international civil society organizations, she investigates critical themes including the politics of knowledge production in peacekeeper gender training, forced displacement in the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and transnational anti-gender politics. Her work is distinguished by continuous engagement with policy and practitioner communities, including civil society organizations, the United Nations, and national security sector institutions, bridging the gap between academic research and practical implementation while teaching postgraduate courses in Gender Studies at LSE

Dr. Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir serves as Professor of International Affairs at the University of Iceland's Faculty of Political Science, where she has established herself as a leading authority on feminist foreign policy and security studies. After earning her Ph.D. in Government from University College Cork, MA in International Relations from the University of Southern California, and BA from Lewis & Clark College, she has built an influential career combining academic research with practical policy engagement. Her expertise spans Icelandic foreign and security policy, reproductive rights, and feminist international relations, while serving as Research Director at Höfði – Reykjavik Peace Centre and vice chair of both the Icelandic Red Cross and the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland. Her impact extends through her role in the 2011 Constitutional Council, where she chaired the committee on human rights and natural resources, and her current membership in the Nordic Women Mediator Network, while maintaining active engagement in research projects focusing on feminist foreign policy, peace studies, resilience, and societal security

Dr. Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv serves as Professor of Critical Peace and Conflict Studies at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and Arctic 5 Chair in Security Studies, where she leads groundbreaking research on security studies and geopolitics. Born in the Netherlands and raised in Canada, she completed her education at Concordia University (B.Sc. in Biology) and the University of Alberta (MA and Ph.D. in Political Science). Her research examines the complex interactions between state and human security, particularly focusing on civil-military relationships, hybrid threats, and Arctic security through intersectional methodologies. As leader of "The Grey Zone" research group and the Resilient Civilians project, she has contributed significantly to understanding civilian agency in population-centric warfare scenarios. Her expertise has been recognized through prestigious appointments, including the Fulbright Arctic Initiative fellowship (2015-2016) and Nansen Professorship at the University of Akureyri (2017-2018), while her influence extends through numerous publications, including "Understanding Civil-Military Interaction" and the "Routledge Handbook of Arctic Security

Dr. Guðrún Sif Friðriksdóttir serves as a Senior Researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute, where she combines academic expertise with extensive field experience in African peace-building initiatives. After earning her Ph.D. in Social Anthropology focusing on ex-combatant reintegration in Burundi, she has established herself as a leading authority on peace and security, forced migration, and gender issues in post-conflict societies. Her practical experience includes significant work in Liberia (2007-2009) and South Sudan (2010-2012), focusing on gender-based violence and women's involvement in peacebuilding processes. As a member of Nordic Women Mediators – Iceland and a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellow, she continues to bridge academic research with practical implementation, particularly through her current research on forced migration within Africa and the socioeconomic factors affecting displacement. Her influential publications include groundbreaking work on ex-combatants as social activists and the intersection of masculinity and military service in Burundi

Dr. Hanna Ragnarsdóttir serves as Professor of Multicultural Studies at the School of Education, University of Iceland, where she has established herself as a leading authority on immigrant and refugee education. After earning her M.Sc. in Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1986 and her Dr.Philos in Education from the University of Oslo in 2007, she has dedicated her career to understanding and improving educational experiences for diverse populations in Iceland. Her research portfolio includes groundbreaking work on immigrant children and families in Icelandic society, multicultural education reform, and university-level inclusion practices. As principal investigator of the Nordic research project "Learning Spaces for Inclusion and Social Justice," she has contributed significantly to understanding success stories of immigrant students in Nordic countries

Dr. Fríða Bjarney Jónsdóttir serves as Director of the Centre for Educational Innovation at Reykjavík's Department of Education and Youth, where she has established herself as a leading authority on multicultural early childhood education. After beginning her career as a preschool teacher and completing her M.Ed. in Multicultural Education and Ph.D. in Educational Sciences from the University of Iceland, she has dedicated her work to advancing inclusive education practices. Her doctoral research, "Giving Wings to Voices: Preschool as an Inclusive Learning Space for Communication and Understanding," has significantly influenced multilingual education approaches in Iceland. Her career spans roles from preschool principal at Lækjaborg to project director for multicultural education in Reykjavík (2008-2018), while maintaining a position as guest lecturer at the University of Iceland's School of Education. Her contributions include developing educational policies, creating study materials for multicultural preschool practices, and leading innovative projects that promote inclusive learning environments for linguistically and culturally diverse children

Ingebjørg Lundevall serves as a teacher at Oslo VO Rosenhof, Norway's largest adult education center, where she has established herself as an experienced educator working with diverse student populations. Her career spans teaching both children and young adults, with particular expertise in Norwegian language instruction for immigrants and refugees. As a key instructor in the University of Iceland's MOOC on Intercultural Competency in Education, she brings practical insights from her extensive classroom experience working with multicultural and multilingual learners. Her contributions to adult education include developing innovative teaching methods for diverse student populations and promoting intercultural understanding in educational settings. Through her collaboration with international colleagues and participation in cross-cultural educational initiatives, she continues to advance inclusive teaching practices while sharing her expertise in multicultural education with educators worldwide

Dr. Anders Wivel serves as Professor of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, where he has established himself as a leading authority on small state politics, European integration, and international relations theory. After completing his Ph.D. in Political Science, he has focused his research on three primary areas: the foreign and security policies of small European states, the dynamics of power politics within the European Union with particular emphasis on small state roles, and the development of international relations theory. His scholarly contributions include over 100 peer-reviewed articles and books, including the influential works "The Routledge Handbook of Small States" and "Small States and International Security: Europe and Beyond." As Director of the Center for Small State Studies at the University of Copenhagen and co-editor of the "Small States and International Relations" book series, he continues to shape academic discourse on how small states navigate international politics while maintaining active engagement in policy discussions through his role as frequent advisor to the Danish government on foreign policy matters

Dr. Baldur Þórhallsson serves as Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies at the University of Iceland, where he has established himself as a leading global authority on small state studies and European integration. After earning his Ph.D. and MA in Political Science from the University of Essex in 1999 and 1994 respectively, he founded the Centre for Small State Studies at the University of Iceland in 2002 and re-established the Icelandic Institute of International Affairs. His research focuses primarily on small state studies, European integration, and Iceland's foreign policy, resulting in numerous influential publications including "Iceland and European Integration: On the Edge" and "The Role of Small States in the European Union." His academic impact extends beyond Iceland through visiting professorships at Williams College and Queen Mary University of London, while his practical influence is evidenced through his role as a deputy member of Alþingi (2011-2012) representing the Social Democratic Alliance. In March 2024, he announced his candidacy for the President of Iceland as an independent candidate, building on his extensive expertise in Icelandic politics and international relations

Dr. Caroline Howard Grøn serves as Associate Professor at the Crown Prince Frederik Center for Public Leadership in the Department of Political Science at Aarhus University, where she has established herself as a leading authority on public sector leadership and administration. Her research portfolio spans critical areas including politico-administrative relations, public executive leadership, motivation theory, and the impact of digital transformation on organizational knowledge sharing. After completing her Ph.D. thesis on trust and control in European Commission management, she has published extensively on topics ranging from leadership identity formation to the dynamics of local government administration. Her recent work includes groundbreaking research on how mayors and chief administrative officers navigate public service relationships, the effects of leadership training on women's advancement in public administration, and the relationship between managers' perceived autonomy and multi-directional leadership. As a key researcher at the Crown Prince Frederik Center for Public Leadership, she continues to advance understanding of public sector management while maintaining active engagement in projects examining how digital tools influence leadership practices and organizational knowledge sharin

Tryggvi Hjaltason serves as Senior Strategist at CCP Games, where he has established himself as a leading authority on virtual communities and online relationship formation through his extensive research on EVE Online's social dynamics. After a career investigating international financial crimes, he joined CCP to study human behavior within virtual socioeconomic structures, coining the term "friendship machine" to describe EVE Online's unique ability to foster meaningful relationships. His research has revealed that approximately 65% of EVE players report forming significant real-life friendships through the game, leading to his development of the "EVE Effect" theory which examines how intense shared experiences in virtual spaces create lasting bonds