EPB Welcomes Norwegian Polar Institute Representatives
Author
Maria Grigoratou
Published On
The EPB is pleased to welcome the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) representatives.
The Norwegian Polar Institute has become a full member of the EPB, effective January 2026. This milestone formalises and strengthens a long-standing and active relationship. For many years, NPI has contributed to EPB’s work through the Research Council of Norway, playing an important role in shaping European dialogue on polar research priorities, collaboration, and strategic development. As an independent member, NPI will further enhance its engagement and contribution to EPB discussions, initiatives, and decision-making processes.
Prof. Dr. Camilla Brekke, Director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, will serve as NPI’s primary representative to the EPB.
Prof. Dr. Camilla Brekke is appointed Director of the Norwegian Polar Institute (2023-). Prof. Dr. Brekke was Pro-Rector for research and development at UiT The Arctic university of Norway, Tromsø, Norway from 2021 to 2023. Brekke was Vice-Dean Research at the Faculty of Science and Technology from 2018 to 2021 and Deputy Centre Leader from 2019 to 2021 at Centre for Integrated Remote Sensing and Forecasting for Arctic Operations (CIRFA) at Department of Physics and Technology, UiT. Brekke is a full Professor since 2016.
Following several years of dedicated service as alternate representative for the Research Council of Norway, Dr. Nalân Koç, Special Adviser at the Norwegian Polar Institute, assumed the role of alternate representative for NPI.
Dr. Nalân Koç is serving as Special adviser for external relations at the Norwegian Polar Institute since 2024. Previously she served as the Research director, NPI between 2011-2024. Koç received her doctoral degree in marine geology/paleoceanography from the University of Bergen in 1993 and qualified as professor in 2003. Koç has nearly 40 years of experience with climate interpretations from polar oceans and has participated and led numerous research cruises in the Nordic Seas, Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean. She has published over 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers. Koç has extensive experience in polar research and management through her previous positions at NPI as leader of the Polar Climate Programme (2004-2009) and as head of Centre for Ice, Climate and Ecosystems (ICE) (2009-2011) and as research director (2011-2024).