Meet the women behind RADIO ARCTIC
Anna Diljá Sigurðardóttir and Gudrun Havsteen-Mikkelsen have backgrounds in design but now use the medium of sound to explore the poles.
Polar Journal AG’s partner RADIO ARCTIC was founded last year, and has already broadcast several thoroughly researched radio shows and podcast episodes.
RADIO ARCTIC is a radio platform for discussion on Arctic matters merging geopolitics with climate data. RADIO ARCTIC hosts and produces its shows and podcasts in collaboration with experts, scientists, journalists, creatives, and others. Through the means of working with open-source data from Arctic weather stations, the broadcasted radio is envisioning the future forecast in the Arctic.
Here, we introduce you to Anna Diljá Sigurðardóttir and Gudrun Havsteen-Mikkelsen, the two women behind RADIO ARCTIC, and tell, among other things, why the person they would have most wanted to interview is a Russian polar explorer.
Polar Journal AG: Why did you start Radio Arctic?
RADIO ARCTIC: “We saw an opportunity to engage with issues that concern and interest both our design practices. Radio Arctic was founded to participate in discussions about the scientific and political changes in the Arctic region.”
“It also serves as an incentive for us to learn more about these developments and communicate them to a wider audience. We recognised the need to engage with spoken media, such as radio and podcasts, since we view the audio format as a form of “visual translation.”
“This approach enhances understanding of various topics and allows audiences, who might not be familiar with developments in the Arctic and Antarctica, to engage with the subject matter on a deeper level.”
“Our focus includes geopolitics, science, environmental, and social issues in both polar regions. By “visual translation,” we refer to our online website, our maps (created using open-source data), and our participation in broadcasted events such as other Arctic conferences.”
PJ: What is the goal of Radio Arctic?
RA:“Radio Arctic is a cross-disciplinary platform that aims to bring attention to the polar regions, primarily the Arctic. Our goal is to forecast and communicate the future of these regions by integrating real-time data with digital design.”
“We emphasize the interrelation between science and politics by interviewing various experts on topics related to the Arctic and Antarctica, reaching audiences who are typically unfamiliar with events in the Poles.”
“Our online platform serves as a hub for sharing insights and fostering a comprehensive understanding of the significance of the polar regions and their global implications. With this in mind we are also really happy to have started this collaboration with Polar Journal.”
PJ: In a few sentences, can you describe your backgrounds and how you came to work with Radio Arctic?
RA: “We met in the Netherlands while studying at Design Academy Eindhoven. After graduating we discovered that our design practices align, focusing on exploring territories on land and in the ocean, their natural resources, climate, and geopolitical claims.”
“Over the years, before starting Radio Arctic, we individually collaborated with various research and educational institutions, as well as observing industries that shape these territories.”
“Our paths crossed again in Reykjavík, Iceland in 2023. We saw an opportunity to combine our design practices and collaborate on a project that united our strengths and interests. This led to the creation of Radio Arctic, and just a few months later, we broadcasted our first panel discussion and podcasts at the Arctic Circle Assembly.”
“Through the radio we discuss topics and information that are often difficult for the public to access due to exclusive conference settings and its complex scientific terminology. By using the medium of sound, we make experts’ insights more accessible and easier to understand, especially when exploring the politics of the poles.”
PJ: If you had to pitch your podcast to someone who has never listened before, how would you sell it?
RA: “Radio Arctic explores the frontlines of science, politics, and environmental change at the poles. As a live radio platform, we bring the pressing topics of the Arctic and Antarctica to you, transforming interviews, panels, and discussions into engaging podcast episodes.”
“We dive deep into the critical issues affecting the polar regions by interviewing leading experts and passionate young voices. Our platform goes beyond audio, offering visual content such as graphics and videos to give you a comprehensive understanding of these transforming territories.”
PJ: Why do you think the Arctic as a topic is important for people not from the region to follow?
RA: “To relate to previous interviewees in our podcasts, everything that happens in the Arctic also influences what happens outside of the Arctic. The trajectory of the Arctic – whether that is scientific research, economic developments, or geopolitics – are all connected through global systems and complex phenomena. The global impacts of climate change are a clear testament to this interconnectedness.”
PJ: Which is your favorite interview for the podcast so far and why?
RA: “Our favorite podcasts are the ones we have broadcasted live, where we share the same space with the experts we interview. We feel that live broadcasts bring an added level of presence, immediacy, and relevance. This format also allows for spontaneity in the interviews, creating a deeper connection with our audience.”
PJ: If you could pick anyone in the world, who would you most like to interview for Radio Arctic (and why)?
RA: “Due to the fact that more than ⅓ of the Arctic region is Russian territory, we feel and have very often heard that the Russian population in the Arctic are the ones most at risk in terms of the effects of climate change and the lack of security and rescue.”
“With that in mind, we would have liked to interview the Russian polar explorer Artur N. Chilingarov, if it was not because he passed away last month. He was the one leading the Russian expedition to place the Russian flag on the North Pole seabed in 2007, and being one of the insiders on what the regime in Kreml intends to do in the Arctic, that of course also affects the rest of the world.”
Tune-in at radioarctic.net or via Soundcloud. RADIO ARCTIC was founded by Anna Diljá Sigurðardóttir and Gudrun Havsteen-Mikkelsen in 2023.
Ole Ellekrog, Polar Journal AG
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