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Regine Møller wins Paasisavut 2024

Regine Møller from Aalborg University managed to bring both passion and information to the stage as she won the Greenlandic research competition Paasisavut on Wednesday evening.

 

By Rasmus Balle Hansen

Photos by Emil Stach

 

Regine Møller receives the trophy and a cash prize of 50,000 Danish kroner.

 

 

It wasn’t an easy decision for the three judges, Nukâka Coster-Waldau, Minik Rosing, and Rosannguaq Rossen, to choose the winner of this year’s Paasisavut. But the choice fell on Regine Møller, a Ph.D. candidate at Aalborg University.

 

 

On Wednesday evening, she won the Greenlandic research communication competition, Paasisavut, impressing the judges with her presentation on the perspectives of the people of Isortoq on sustainable development.

 

 

The judges especially highlighted her unique ability to communicate a Ph.D. project that is clearly close to her heart, engaging the audience from the stage with both passion and insight.

 

 

“It’s completely surreal. I didn’t expect this at all,” says an excited Regine Møller after the show, adding:

 

 

“My goal wasn’t to win, but to tell the story of Isortoq.”

A full house for a show about research

 

Katuaq was packed with listening ears and smiling faces as the five finalists took turns on stage to share their knowledge with all of Greenland.

 

“We’re incredibly happy that, once again this year, we managed to fill the country’s largest hall with an entertainment show focused on research. Research can really be amusing, and it was tonight,” says Nicoline Larsen, communications manager at Arctic Hub, the organizes of Paasisavut.

 

“We’re very proud of our finalists and the panel of judges. Without them, there would be no Paasisavut!”

 

 

In Paasisavut, the finalists, all Ph.D. candidates, have five minutes to communicate their research to the Greenlandic public in an entertaining and informative way.

 

 

This year, Regine Møller was the one who impressed the judges the most.

Stories from a small settlement with a big cultural significance

 

In her research project, Regine Møller investigates how self-determination and sustainable development can be based on local perspectives.

 

Focusing on the small settlement of Isortoq in East Greenland, her Ph.D. project delves into how small communities, identity, and traditions can play a major role in Greenland’s future. The hunting culture is deeply rooted in Greenland’s identity, but it faces challenges that threaten the existence of small settlements.

The days leading up to the show

 

In the days leading up to the event, the five finalists received training in stage performance and had the chance to rehearse their presentations before a smaller audience, which helped Regine Møller with her presentation.

 

 

“I’m very grateful for Ane Marie Ottosen’s guidance in the days before Paasisavut. She has been an enormous help and support for all of us,” says Regine Møller.

Paasisavut 2026

 

If you didn’t get to see the show, you can find recordings on KNR in both Greenlandic and Danish. Paasisavut will return in 2026.

 

Watch the full show here.