Polar Connect Sensing Workshop 25 August 2026 

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden, Chalmers University of Technology.   

Date: 25 August 2026 

Registration: https://sunet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LsXNXPEFSbCGQowWV3Lo0g 

Polar Connect is organising a one-day workshop on sensing in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 25 August 2026. The day will begin with a series of presentations, including updates from Polar Connect and expert talks from both research and industry. Remote participation will be possible until lunch. 

The afternoon, with in-person sessions only, will focus on discussions about scientific requirements for sensing data in the Central Arctic Ocean along the Polar Connect route, current technological possibilities in fibre sensing as well as sensor development opportunities, potential funding streams and possibilities within the International Polar Year (IPY) for sensing with Polar Connect.  

For those who cannot participate in person, but would like to provide feedback, we will send out a survey that can be filled out after the workshop. 

Tentative agenda 

9:00 – 11:30 Morning session. Remote participation possible. 

9:00 – 9:30 Welcome and introduction to Polar Connect and sensing 

9:30 – 10:20 Presentations and Q&A  

  • Céline Heuzé, University of Gothenburg  
  • Magnus Karlsson, Charlmers University of Technology  

10:20 – 10:40 Coffee break  

10:40 – 11:30 Presentations and Q&A 

  • James Lindsey, Güralp Systems,  
  • Speaker to be announced

11:30 – 13:00 Lunch 

13:00 – 16:00 Afternoon session. In-person only. 

Introduction for those in the room 

13:00 – 14:00 Science needs and technological developments 

14:00 – 14:15 Coffee break 

14:15 – 15:15  Funding for sensing and International Polar Year 

15:15 – 15:45 Lab tour on fibre sensing 

15:45-16:00 Wrap up  

Per Nihlén

Organisation: Sunet, Swedish Research Council
Title: Chair of the Polar Connect Advisory Board and Chief Technology Officer and Inventory

Per is the Chair of the Polar Connect Advisory Board . He serves as Head of Unit at  the Swedish Research Council, where he leads the development and operation of Sweden’s national infrastructure for research and education in networking and digital communication. With over three decades of experience in digital infrastructure and public-sector innovation, Per leadership has been instrumental in advancing high-capacity networks that support research collaboration, data-intensive science, and education across the Nordic region. Per is also Chair of the Board of the Foundation for the Development of Telematics, a grant-making foundation that supports the advancement of high-performance digital infrastructure in Sweden. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Netnod, representing the foundation as owner and contributing to the governance of Sweden’s critical internet infrastructure. Per has been a trusted advisor to government agencies, research institutions, and international collaborations.

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