Collaborating across borders to make polar science matter

There is a lot of valuable polar science happening throughout Europe and beyond

A Global Mission Rooted in the Poles

With a background in marine biology and a focus on whale ecology, Kylie Owen brings firsthand experience from both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. She has participated in five research expeditions to Antarctica with the Australian Antarctic Division and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Additionally, she has conducted fieldwork in the Arctic in Alaska and northern Norway. Prior to joining the European Polar Board, she worked for the Swedish Museum of Natural History as a harbour porpoise expert, advising policymakers on effective use of research results within international conventions.

“The more time I spend in the polar regions, the more I realise how unique they are, how much they are changing, and the impact that this change has on the rest of the world,” she says.

Today, Kylie serves as the EPCO Officer at EPB’s Secretariat, where she coordinates the EU Polar Cluster—a network that unites European polar research projects. A central part of her role involves ensuring that scientific knowledge is not only shared effectively across research teams but also translated into actionable insights for decision-makers.

The more time I spend in the polar regions, the more I realise how unique they are.

International collaboration is essential for polar research – both because of the logistical challenges of operating in remote regions and the geopolitical complexities surrounding the poles. Kylie’s work fosters cross-national and interdisciplinary connections that enable researchers to present unified messages to policymakers. This collaborative approach enhances the visibility and policy relevance of individual projects, thereby increasing their overall impact.

“There is a lot of valuable polar science happening throughout Europe and beyond,” Kylie notes. “But unless we communicate effectively with policymakers, the full potential of that knowledge risks being lost.”

A Strategic Hub in Umeå

Since January 2025, the EPB Secretariat's new home is at Umeå University, co-located with the Arctic Centre at A Working Lab in the centre of campus. This relocation places the EPB and EPCO in an academic environment where Arctic research is a core strength.
 
For Kylie, this means being surrounded by scholars and professionals who share a focus on polar regions—an exciting and inspiring context that strengthens both her work and her sense of purpose.

At the same time, the challenges are considerable. Kylie points to the increasing geopolitical tensions that could jeopardise the long-standing tradition of international collaboration in polar science. However, she also perceives polar research as a powerful model for scientific diplomacy—an area where nations can continue to cooperate despite global divisions.

There are major differences between the Arctic and Antarctic—physically, ecologically, politically, and culturally.

She emphasises that understanding the poles requires nuanced knowledge. One of the most common misconceptions she encounters is the idea that the Arctic and Antarctic are interchangeable.

“There are major differences between the Arctic and Antarctic—physically, ecologically, politically, and culturally. This is why it is important to study both regions equally well to understand how they function, the impact changes in these regions have on the world, and how to respond through policy.”

In her work at the EPB Secretariat in Umeå, Kylie Owen helps to ensure that these distinctions are not just understood by specialists but recognised in broader policy and research discussions. In an era of rapid polar transformation, the ability to translate complexity into clarity—and to turn knowledge into collective action—may prove to be one of polar science’s most vital contributions.