38 | ANNUAL REPORT 2020
ARCTIC SAFETY CENTRE
October 2020: Installation of Driva snow sensors for the coming winter season on the Sukkertoppen mountain. Photo: Charlotte Sandmo/UNIS.
BY MARTIN INDREITEN, OPERATING MANAGER
In 2020, the centre has had a fulltime operating manager, a part-time position related to administration and an adjunct staff of four professors. In addition, technicians at the section for operations and field safety have contributed as instructors on various safety courses.
The centre’s main task is to offer research-based and practical knowledge and expertise related to safety for the local community, with businesses and other actors who conduct field activity on Svalbard. Focus areas are supporting field safety, societal safety, and emergency preparedness - all in an Arctic context with natural hazards and climate adaptations as important factors. The basis for the centre’s activities is more than 30 years of experience from UNIS’ field activities related to teaching and research. The government’s “Strategy for innovation and business development in Svalbard” has been a guideline for the activity in the centre over the past year.
