In June 2025, Empowered Futures member Larry Ibrahim Mohammed visited our partner institution, the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, for a two-week practicum. Read what inspired Larry's visit and his reflections on this memorable experience.
By Larry Ibrahim Mohammed, UiT
In 2023, I joined the then Nansen Professor, Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen, to lead a group of young students from UiT-The Arctic University of Norway to a field school in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The experience made a strong impression on me, leading me to chronicle my reflections after the travels. In that travel report, I described what I felt as “living the legacy of Fridtjof Nansen”. Little did I know that a couple of years later, I would find myself walking the very stairs Fridtjof Nansen once took to his office in the historic Polhøgda building.
The opportunity to go on a practicum at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) came through the Empowered Futures Research School. As a member, I could embark on a practicum at a partner institution, and for me, the choice of FNI was obvious for a couple of reasons. First, as a PhD researcher at the Arctic University of Norway, my PhD project studies the structures of decision-making in renewable energy projects in Norway and Canada. It also explores how Indigenous peoples' participation impacts renewable energy licensing. FNI researchers have authored several key works on this subject in the Norwegian energy landscape, and I was eager to engage with the authors. Secondly, I was curious to experience the work culture of an independent research foundation, since most of my time as a PhD scholar is spent at the University.
I was at the FNI from June 8–20, 2025, working under the supervision of Tor Håkon Jackson Inderberg and Lars Gulbrandsen, who were incredibly welcoming. In addition, Siddharth Sareen, a member of the Empowered Futures Board and researcher at the FNI, ensured I had a good start. I could not have asked for a better welcome than a memorable dinner at one of Oslo’s finest ethnic restaurants. My arrival at the FNI coincided with the departure of two other PhD candidates on a research stay, so the dinner became both a welcome for me and a farewell for them. The occasion also presented an informal opportunity to discuss my expectations and to hear about the experiences of the other students.
Daily life at FNI quickly revealed its special rituals. The communal lunches in the hallowed sitting area of Polhøgda were more than just meals—they were spaces for conversation, laughter, and learning. I found myself not only expanding my knowledge but also forging connections with colleagues who shared insights about their projects while showing genuine curiosity about my own research and the history of how, as a Ghanaian, I ended up in the Arctic capital of Tromsø. Lunchtimes were also an opportunity for training our brain muscles as we tackled the quiz questions from the dailies.
A highlight of my internship was the opportunity to present my research and receive comments on a paper under review. The feedback I received was invaluable, offering ideas to improve upon my diagrams and to tackle unaddressed yet germane issues in my paper. Discussions arising out of the meeting also opened potential avenues for future project collaboration.
Life at FNI also blended work with well-being. Outside the research environment, social gatherings enriched my experiences further. My time coincided with the FNI’s summer soiree, which brought older and younger researchers at FNI together around the same table. After a round of short official speeches, we took to the dance floor until late into the evening.
Again, if there was ever any doubt about the truism of making use of all the resources at one's disposal, the short meandering walk through the narrow paths from Polhøgda to a nearby lake provides enough testament. While I did not have the courage to take a dip in the lake during those short breaks at work, I happily played the cheerleader, watching colleagues dive into the water before returning to their desks with renewed energy.
While I have since returned to my home institution in Tromsø to wrap up my dissertation, I remain deeply grateful for the practicum experiences that will shape my life. My time at FNI gave me the chance to: connect with both early career and senior researchers working within the field of energy and social science, learn more about their work and explore areas of future research collaboration. The practicum also offered me a taste of working in non-university research setting which brought with it a sense of camaraderie. Perhaps most importantly, being able to present part of my dissertation and to receive thoughtful feedback has given me new insights that will directly strengthen my work.
I conclude by expressing my thanks to the Empowered Futures Research School for facilitating my practicum and providing the necessary financial support. I also thank FNI’s management and staff for their warmth and generosity, particularly Tor Håkon Jackson Inderberg, Lars Gulbrandsen and Siddharth Sareen. My warmest gratitude also goes to Jan Dalsgaard Sørensen for guiding me to the different rooms at the Polhøgda, culminating in a rare opportunity to visit Nansen’s historic office.