In January 2023, the Government of Greenland launched Greenland’s first national research strategy. It is entitled ‘Research – the road to progress – Greenland’s National Research Strategy 2022-2030’. The research strategy is divided into four main goals. Let’s dive into them!
Download the research strategy in English here.
This goal has four different branches:
Many come to Greenland to conduct research. However, the government wishes to ensure the research is even more firmly anchored here in Greenland. That should happen through closer cooperation with local stakeholders.
Combining indigenous, local, and specialist knowledge will benefit both domestic and international research. However, enhancing the link between research and the local community requires local research institutions to possess the right expertise and resources. This enables them to define the course of research in Greenland and participate in international research projects.
A strong link between research and community also requires ample opportunities for networking between researchers, industry, the general public, and other stakeholders.
Naalakkersuisut aims to contribute to developing an effective framework for coordination and collaboration.
In this video, Arctic Hub explains the main themes and ambitions in Naalakkersuisut’s (Government of Greenland) national research strategy from 2023 entitled ‘Research – the road to progress Greenland’s National Research Strategy 2022 — 2030’.
Knowledge is an essential key to development, and intensifying research efforts can help us meet future social and environmental challenges. At the same time, it helps us develop new industries that can generate economic growth.
The transition from being based on a few primary industries to exploiting more of the resources and potential in Greenland is crucial.
In response, Naalakkersuisut aims to ensure sound conditions for research that contribute to the sustainable development of the Greenlandic society.
Naalakkersuisut hopes that a greater focus on the importance of research for society will also boost interest in education and the opportunities to pursue a career in the sciences.
Right now, it can be difficult to gain an overview of the research carried out in Greenland and to access the results. To maximize the benefit of research, knowledge and information must be accessible — to researchers, policymakers, industry, public authorities, students, and the general public.
Naalakkersuisut aims to make sure that the policy of research data is based on international standards including the FAIR principles of data accessibility.
The expression ‘Research Fatigue’ is often heard in Greenlandic research since some parts of the Greenlandic population experience that many researchers want to speak to them. Watch this video explainer about research fatigue to hear how we can ensure that research becomes a good experience for everyone.
High-quality international research is already conducted in Greenland. It takes commitment and resources to keep it that way and even ensure that research activities are intensified.
Naalakkersuisut encourages both public and private stakeholders to prioritize funding for research. The government also intends to make Greenland even more attractive as a research destination and as a recipient of international research funding.
To summarize, the vision of Greenland’s national research strategy is that research must benefit Greenland and have an international outlook.
