The 4th Icelandic Seal Center Symposium

We are excited to announce that CAP-SHARE project is co-hosting the 4th annual research symposium on 19 September at the Icelandic Seal Center (ISC). This year, the ISC symposium looks at research focusing on biodiversity, climate change, community-based research, and citizen science research for a co-created sustainable future. We invite scientists, elders, educators, youth, and policymakers to share their research, learning experiences, or case studies. The focus is on successful cooperation between the different stakeholders towards inclusive and efficient strategies to tackle the rising challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss by means of effective outreach and education.

19.09.2025

Date

19.09.2025

Location

Grunnskóli Húnaþings vestra, Kirkjuvegur 1, 530 Hvammstangi

Organiser

Co-organized (see below)

Agenda

Morning (09:00 - 12:00) Grunnskóli Húnaþing vestra

09:00-09:30 Welcome, Örvar B. Eiríksson

Keynote Speaker: Sandra M. Granquist

09:30-09:50 Music

09:50-10:10 Coffee

Light snacks and coffee

10:10-10:50 Youth Panel and discussions

Youth representing Iceland, Turkey, and Denmark will give their experiences of their international project. Alessandra Schnider, ICE Fish will moderate.

11:00-11:40 Research Posters (at the school)

There is an Erasmus+ project in the same week and grades 8-10 will present their research poster during the symposium. Youth are between 12-18 years old.

Elementary school posters: around 10 posters

Researcher posters from scientists:

Disease, Parasite, and Pathogen Susceptibility Among Sub-Populations of the Icelandic Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus), Dylan O’Hagan
ICE Fish Research: Science Communication from Iceland, Lieke Ponsioen, Alessandra Schnider, Theresa Henke, Michelle Valliant, and Guðbjörg Ósk Jónsdóttir
Seal watching code of conduct: a tool to reduce disturbance, Sandra M. Granquist and Brontë Mae Harris
Húnaklúbburinn, Jessica Aquino
Biodiversity in Iceland: what is it and why does it matter? Cécile Chauvat

11:40-13:30 Break for lunch. There are a few options around.

Hlaðan Kaffihús
Selur matstofa
Sjávarborg Restaurant

Afternoon (from 13:30) Icelandic Seal Center

13:30 – 13:35 Afternoon welcome

13:35 – 14:00 Keynote: Unnur Valborg Hilmarsdóttir

Session 1: 14:00-15:00 (10 minutes talk; 2 min discussions)

The Icelandic Seal Center for 20 years: A sustainability journey, Örvar B. Eiríksson
Seals in Iceland: why collaboration between stakeholders matters in terms of management and research, Sandra M. Granquist
Individual diet specialization and gill raker morphology of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in a subarctic lake in Iceland, Ragna Guðrún Snorradóttir
ICE Fish Research: Science Communication from Iceland, Lieke Ponsioen, Alessandra Schnider, Theresa Henke, Michelle Valliant, and Guðbjörg Ósk Jónsdóttir
Short discussion

15:00 – 15:20 Long Break

Session 2: 15:20-16:30 (10 minutes talk; 2 min discussions)

Nordic Bridge - From Student Projects to Startups: Building Pathways in Regional Innovation Ecosystems, Anna Guðrún Edvardsdóttir
Regenerative Tourism and Community Youth Development: Youth in Active Participation, Jessica Aquino
Building Community Youth Development in Húnaþing vestra: Stories from the Field, Jóhann Örn Finnsson and Jessica Aquino
Capacity sharing for biodiversity in the Icelandic context, Cécile Chauvat
Coming, Staying, Living: Collaboration for Sustainable Rural Development Stefanía Gísladóttir
Short discussion

16:30 – 16:40 Short Break

16:45 – 17:10 Keynote Speaker; Sveinbjörg Rut Pétursdóttir

17:10 – 17:25 Overall discussions and closing remarks

17:25 – 18:00 Reception with light refreshments

18:00 – 20:00 Optional dinner (Sjávarborg https://www.sjavarborg-restaurant.is/) Average price

More about the event

More about the ISC and the organizers.

The Icelandic Seal Center (ISC) is an associated partner in the CAP-SHARE project. Located in Hvammstangi, northwestern Icelandic, the main goals of the ISC are to promote local sustainable tourism and to contribute to the development of sustainable seal and wildlife tourism in Iceland and abroad. The ISC Symposium is held every year. However, this year is a very special year as they celebrate their 20th anniversary.

The 4th Icelandic Seal Center Symposium is co-organized by the CAP-SHARE project, Hólar University, the Icelandic Seal Center, the Icelandic Museum of Natural History, the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Húnaklúbburinn youth club, the Northwest Iceland Research Center, and Grunnskóli Húnaþings vestra school.

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