News

We are proud to announce that Christoph Pfülb, a second-year master’s student in the Coastal Communities and Regional Development program at the University Centre of the Westfjords (UW), has received a prestigious research grant from the Icelandic Regional Development Institute. His thesis project, titled "Volunteerism and Emergency Management in Iceland: Examining the Role of Place Attachment and Local Engagement in Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief Organizations", addresses critical aspects of local community resilience in the face of natural hazards and climate change.

The University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) turns 20 years old this year. Twenty years ago, the people in the Westfjords were fighting for many things: paved roads, tunnels, mobile phone service, coastal fishing and shipping, safety, electricity at Christmas, and, yes, a university. No more, no less.

The University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) is delighted to share the news that yet another master’s student has received funding from the Westfjords Development Fund. The fund aims to support cultural projects, business development, and innovation in the Westfjords, and to provide support for start-ups and operating costs to cultural institutions in the Westfjords. Brendan Kirby, a master’s student at UW in the Coastal Communities and Regional Development program, received a 400,000 ISK grant to develop a climbing guide for the Westfjords.

At the turn of the year there will be a new service provider of internet services towards UW. The FS-net, once made for distance learning service centres in the countryside, will cease operations. Instead, the University Centre of the Westfjords now has made an agreement with local Snerpa internet provider.

A new research article, "Invasive species management: The case of pink salmon in Iceland" has been published in the journal Marine Policy. This collaborative study, authored by Hjörleifur Finnsson, Catherine Chambers, and Guðni Guðbergsson (Marine and Freshwater Research Institute), investigates strategies for managing the presence and impact of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in Icelandic waters.

The University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) is thrilled to announce that applications for its two unique master’s programs are now open for the upcoming academic year! Whether you’re passionate about community development or the sustainable management of marine resources, these programs offer the opportunity to study the pressing issues facing coastal and marine environments in a dynamic, interdisciplinary setting.

Recently, we at UW were honored to host a visiting group, funded through the Uarctic, Memorial University’s Harris Centre, Global Arctic Leadership Project, Indigenous and Northern Relationships Development Fund, and the Marine Biomass Innovation Project, which is funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund - Transformation Stream.

The University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) has a new addition to its team. Hjördís Þráinsdóttir started her role as a project manager in a 50% position on November 1st. Originally from Súðavík, Hjördís has lived in Ísafjörður for 25 years. She is married with three sons and has primarily worked as a records manager for the municipality of Ísafjörður since 2008. Hjördís holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Akureyri and is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Educational Sciences along with a diploma in Special Education from the same university.

Dr. Catherine Chambers, UW’s research manager and project leader for the Jules Verne project, along with project coordinator and UW alumna Alex Tyas, have just returned from a trip to Bayonne, France in association with a Jules Verne grant which supports research collaboration between Icelandic and French partners. Catherine and Alex also gave presentations during the Haizebegi festival that celebrates Basque culture.

Every year, the University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) provides a unique opportunity for students to attend the Arctic Circle Assembly as part of two of its key courses: Arctic Ocean Governance and Just Transitions. The assembly, held annually in Reykjavík, brings together a wide range of global experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss pressing Arctic issues. For UW students, it offers much more than just attending sessions; it’s an experience that adds to their academic journey and broadens their professional horizons. This year, the group attending the assembly consisted of staff from UW, instructors, and numerous master's students.