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– What attracted you to being a researcher and then to the SEAS programme? 

“A love of puzzle solving” drove me towards studying physics, and a very fun master project made me interested in doing a PhD. However, I was doing very abstract, theory-heavy work (plasma physics), and I got jealous of the geologists and ocean scientists doing science outdoors “in the real world”. After a few courses in oceanography and optics I was suddenly a researcher in marine optics! I really enjoy the varied workdays, from adventurous fieldwork to lab work and writing articles and proposals.

– Can you give a description in general terms of your SEAS project?

Climate change is changing the world in many ways. Decreasing sea ice cover and increased precipitation is changing the amount of light penetrating into the ocean. And light is a key environmental factor for marine ecosystems, from primary production to the behaviour of fish and zooplankton.

– Are you about to see results that might also give you a way forward on your future research? 

We see that rivers in Siberia provide massive amounts of dissolved matter across large distances in the Arctic Ocean, which darkens large regions of this ocean. Dissolved matter is the tiny stuff in the water that can makes it look yellow or brown, but otherwise transparent (like tea before you add the milk). This darkening may affect whether the Arctic will get harvestable fisheries or will be dominated by jellyfish instead. This is obviously interesting to explore further in new Arctic research projects.

– What kind of field work have you had during the SEAS programme and how would you describe the experience? 

Last year, I did a three-week research cruise in the Arctic Ocean, going all the way up to 88˚ N, as well a few shorter field trips in the fjords near Bergen. Sadly, I missed out on nice research cruise in the Norwegian Sea in 2023, because I caught a cold the day before leaving.

– What has been the pros and cons of the SEAS programme in terms of resources, in terms of community, or in terms of cooperation with industry and society at large?

SEAS is perfectly located to nurture cooperation within ocean science and with the ocean industry. It has been great to get different perspectives and to challenge the “usefulness” of my own project. However, it is important to be relaxed about cooperation too – everyone does not need to collaborate with everyone. 

– What has been your experience of being located in Bergen?   

I’ve been doing an outgoing stay for the majority of my time in SEAS, but it’s really nice to be back in Bergen! My family and friends are here, but Bergen is also a global centre of ocean science and technology, which you won’t realize before you live and work somewhere else. 

– In what ways have you found the interdisciplinary aspects of the SEAS programme to be a contribution to your project? 

It is great to learn about other fields and their recent findings (and problems!). The SEAS programme has also been an excellent opportunity to talk about my own research to a broader audience. Last November, I held a pub talk at ���ϳԹ���Դ’s “Ocean Science Bar”. Recently, I also presented my research at Arctic Frontiers, a superb conference organized in Tromsø every year, with a good mix of scientists, stakeholders and policymakers. This type of science communication is very rewarding and fun, even though it requires a fair bit of preparation. I feel I get to share joy and curiosity for my science, but also communicate the very real effects of climate change ongoing in the Arctic.

– In what ways do your project connect to the UN sustainability goals, or otherwise connect to the topic of marine sustainability?

It is related to “Life under water”, since light is important to how marine ecosystems function under a changing climate. Light is a part of a larger puzzle, particularly in the Arctic and coastal regions like the Norwegian fjords.  

– How do you spend your free time?

Trying to run, trying to climb, trying to ski and hike, watching television and doing Duolingo on the bus.

– Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years?

Hopefully still puzzle-solving outdoors and indoors!