It has been a true privilege spending the past two months at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, surrounded by welcoming and inspiring colleagues. In a constant state of construction and deconstruction, my own PhD research has transformed within the four walls of Polhøgda. In the following, I reflect on the process of learning, being and anticipating as a PhD researcher doing a research stay at FNI.
When I arrived in Oslo, I made a list of work-related goals for during my time at FNI. A primary goal was to become more comfortable with research dissemination, presenting in front of my peers and attending conferences, while advancing my PhD research in various ways. I have been quite anxious about presenting my research in front of others since I started my PhD. Being at FNI for two months gave me the opportunity to develop my public speaking skills - gaining confidence through practice and exposure. I presented my research four times, in three languages and participated in two workshops. I was met with a safe environment to do so and my colleagues provided valuable feedback, not only during a panel discussion and presentation, but also throughout discussions around the coffee machine and at lunch, during the research stay. Therefore, this stay has also been about stepping into a more confident academic identity. Presenting my work repeatedly in different languages forced me to move past the instinct to hide behind drafts and “not quite ready” ideas. Being met with generosity, curiosity, and constructive critique helped me see this process as an integral part of scholarly growth.
It was especially enlightening to learn from my peers who work interdisciplinarily, weaving in political science and international relations perspectives. Discussions moved fluidly from energy transition governance to its geopolitical implications; from biodiversity to deep-sea mining. These conversations gently dissolved the usual boundaries between disciplines, that would surely resonate with Fridtjof Nansen’s own spirit of inquiry. At the same time, the creaking floors of Polhøgda reminded me of the timeless nature of research –where conversations extend beyond lifetimes, yet are kept alive through ongoing engagement.
I found joy in both my work and in the quiet rhythms of life beyond the office, as Oslo gradually embraced the gentle cadence of autumn. The shifting seasons guided my life outside of work, as I started running routinely through Bygdøy and around Fornebu – cycling to work and slowly allowing myself to become part of the living city. Small moments made lasting impressions: a mushroom larger than my head; children joyfully mimicking and mirroring each other across the tram line as they embrace their self-recognition; deer wandering through my garden; evening conversations with my roommate; convivial lunches with colleagues; a rainy run transforming into a rainbow with a beautiful sunset; finding an Atlas in French from 1892 with a page dedicated to New Caledonia at a coffee shop. All these experiences represent ordinary, yet extraordinary, moments that quietly shaped the flow of my life in Oslo.
During my time at FNI, I also participated in the Beyond Oil Conference in Bergen, where Empowered Futures hosted a publication workshop. At the workshop, I received valuable feedback on my ongoing work from my peers, including Andy Stirling. He repeated the following point: “we should always follow our nose”. Now that I reflect upon his words, I see how this resonates with Fridtjof Nansen’s spirit. Indeed, Nansen was a scientist who wore many hats. Whether he was studying biology, oceanography, physics, geography or, later in life, finding intersections between political science and international law, Nansen always seemed to be guided by curiosity, lust for knowledge and an explorative nature. To this day, Nansen’s explorative spirit lives on in the walls of Polhøgda, thanks to lively lunch breaks, and top-notch eager researchers exploring and travelling to the four corners of the world.
Now, as I sit at the airport on my way to New Caledonia, writing these short reflections, my mind is already on the next few steps of my PhD, especially beyond my fieldwork: returning to Trondheim and seeing my colleagues again; attending Arctic Frontiers 2026 (where I have the opportunity to co-organise a session with fellow Emerging Leaders); of my deadline coming up for my course on qualitative methods; the impulsive submission I sent this morning to be a tumbleweeder for a week at Shakespeare and Co.; the potential date of my return to the FNI to present my research after the fieldwork, and whether or not to include Repparfjord as a case study (and if that could create synergies with the FNI all the while keeping my own interest in the Arctic alive). And as I think through these future steps, I remind myself of the importance of staying in the present, and of being grounded, as I enter an exciting yet challenging period of my PhD journey in the Pacific.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues at FNI for their warm welcome, and to the Empowered Futures Research School for making this stay possible – both through logistical and financial support - as well as facilitating my journey through opportunities to participate in various events.