ASC Seminar 2026
As part of the Arctic Security Conference 2026, the ASC Seminar will provide a forum for in-depht discussions on four selected topics related to Arctic geopolitics and maritime security
When: September 17, 2026, 09:30 - 15:00
Where: Auditorium 1, Oslo New University College, Ullevålsveien 76 (up to 150 seats) (Note that the venue is a 15-minute tram ride from Oslo Central Station)
Organizer: Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Oslo New University College, UiT: The Arctic University of Norway, The Arctic Institute, YATA, High North Center at Nord University, Outer Space Institute, NAADSN, USCGA CASP, The Arctic Ocean 2050 Programme
Main contact & organizer: Mariel Kieval (mariel.kieval@thearcticinstitute.org)
Tentative programme
09:30 - 10:00
Coffee
10:00 - 10:05
Welcome
10:05 - 11:00
New voices in Arctic security and geopolitics
Organizers: The Arctic Institute & YATA
Contact persons: Romain Chuffart, Karen Marie Osland, Richard Federhofer
Moderator: Myriam Lazrek, Second Vice President, Youth Atlantic Treaty Association Norway (YATA)
Maja Lillehaug, Head of the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association Oslo (YATA)
Jens Henning Breivik, Foreign Service Trainee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway
Mariel Kieval, The Arctic Institute (TAI) fellow & PhD candidate at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
11.05 - 12.00
Space Security and Arctic (Maritime) Situational Awareness
Organizers: High North Center at Nord University & Outer Space Institute
Contact persons: Andreas Raspotnik, Johannes Schmied-Wirén, Michael Byers
Moderator: Johannes Schmied-Wirén, Senior Advisor at the High North Center at Nord University
Keynote: Cecilie Myrseth, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Norway
Paul Eirik Davies, Chief Security Officer / Director Global Security, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT)
Katharina Glaab, Associate Professor at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) & Project Leader, Nordic Space Infrastructures (NordSpace)
Jon Widerøe Harr, Director of Corporate Development & Sales, Andøya Spaceport
Giulia Pavesi, Lead Security & Defence Portfolio, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI)
12.00 - 13.00
Lunch
13.00 - 14.00
What is happening in the North American Arctic?
Organizers: NAADSN & USCGA CASP
Contact persons: Nicholas Glesby & Anthony Russell
Moderator: Gabriella Gricius, Associate Professor of Strategy at the Norwegian Military Academy & Senior Fellow, The Arctic Institute
Whitney Lackenbauer, Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North, Trent University & Network Lead, NAADSN
Abbie Tingstad, Arctic Research Professor (Visiting) at US Coast Guard Academy
Caroline Hoefsmit, Lead Officer Arctic, NATO Maritime Command
Hans Peder Kirkegaard, PhD Fellow, lisimatusarfik / University of Greenland, PhD Fellow, Iisimatusarfik / University of Greenland
14.05 - 15.00
Values, worries and hopes for the Central Arctic Ocean - stakeholder and rightholder input to the Arctic Ocean 2025 program
Organizer: The Arctic Ocean 2050 program
Contact person: Dorothy Dankel
Moderator: Dorothy Dankel, Senior researcher, SINTEF
Sissel Jentoft, Researcher, University of Oslo
Lis Lindal Jørgensen, Researcher,Institute of Marine Research (IMR)
Marius Pedersen, Researcher, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI)
Chantel Nixon, Associate Professor, NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
