Tarfala an international hub for research collaboration

FH Joanneum is an Austrian university with a strong focus on applied research. Since 2025, its annual Arctic Expedition Team (AET) has brought together an interdisciplinary group of students and researchers to carry out field research and develop new technologies in the Arctic. Following an expedition to Greenland in 2025, the team selected Tarfala Research Station as its destination for 2026.

”We at Tarfala Research Station are delighted to provide FH Joanneum with the facilities and support their project requires. Hosting a team of 16 visiting researchers for just over two weeks will create an inspiring environment for intensive discussions, both at the station and out in the field, which I believe everyone involved will benefit from,” says Nina Kirchner, Professor of Glaciology and Director of Tarfala Research Station at Stockholm University.

Tarfala enhances students' education

The students' projects cover a wide range of topics, from aerostats and black carbon measurements to science communication. Working alongside researchers at Tarfala Research Station complements the students' practice-based education while strengthening international research collaboration.
Glaciers and their changing behaviour have been studied at Tarfala for several decades, generating valuable knowledge that has made an important contribution to international climate research.

Interdisciplinary research in an extreme environment

The expedition's primary aim is to carry out original research projects under real Arctic conditions. The work includes research on battery systems, sensor technology, energy-efficient data transmission, drone technology and air quality monitoring.

”Our goal is to further develop technological solutions for use in challenging environments while collecting data that contributes to climate and environmental research,” says Holger Friehmelt, Head of the Institute of Aviation at FH Joanneum.

Making research accessible to the public

The expedition combines research, education and science communication. A dedicated communications team is accompanying the expedition to share the research process and findings with the public. The experience gained during the expedition is also expected to lay the foundation for future collaborations and continued research in polar and climate science.