In January 2025, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) became a member of FRAM—High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment (Fram Centre).
By: Helge M Markusson // The Fram Centre
“This membership marks an important milestone for NGI. It strengthens our opportunities for collaborative research on geohazards and climate adaptation in the northern regions,” says Dominik Lang, Director Natural Hazards, NGI – Norwegian Geotechnical Institute.
Unanimous support
“The Norwegian government supports the Fram Centre collaboration because the institutions in Tromsø contribute important research in the northern regions,” explains Bo Andersen, chair of the steering committee of the Fram Centre.
Andersen is confident that FRAM stands to benefit from NGI’s expertise in the field of landslides and avalanches.
“NGI applied for membership and received unanimous support from the steering committee and all the FRAM members. The Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment therefore included NGI in the FRAM alliance,” adds Andersen.
Newcomer with Arctic experience
In the autumn of 2024, NGI set up a new office in Tromsø to contribute expertise in climate adaptation and natural hazard preparedness in northern regions.
“With our new office in Tromsø and our ongoing projects in the Arctic, we are well positioned to support the Fram Centre in achieving its objectives. We look forward to partnering with the other member organisations to advance outstanding Arctic research and innovative solutions to climate and environmental challenges,” says Director Lang.
He explains how it all began for NGI in the High North with projects related to road construction and mining in Svalbard.
“Since then, we’ve expanded our portfolio in Arctic research and development to include geotechnical engineering, geohazards, climate adaptation, remote monitoring and environmental research. In addition, we have several other ongoing publicly-funded research projects in the Arctic. We’re now looking forward to further strengthening our research alliances in the northern regions,” concludes Lang.