Russia establishes new Arctic research centre in Archangelsk

Atle Staalesen, The Independent Barents Observer
Posted: Monday, April 11, 2016 at 17:17
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The merger of several existing institutes results in the establishment of a new top research center on the Arctic. Photo: Atle Staalesen

The new federal science centre on the Arctic will house 500 researchers, regional authorities say.

“Our main task will be to conduct research and experimental studies, as well as to implement research inventions and protect Russian national interests in the Arctic,” said Professor Vladimir Pavlenko.

Pavlenko has been hand-picked to lead the new centre, which is planned to be fully operational by year 2020. By that time, a new research building complex is expected to be completed in downtown Arkhangelsk. The 4-floor building will have a price tag of more than 500 million rubles ($7.5 USD), the Arkhangelsk regional administration said in a press release. In addition, regional authorities also plan to build a new housing block with 100 flats for the centre’s researchers.

Regional Minister of Research and Education Igor Skubenko said about 500 people will be employed in the centre by 2020.

“The emergence of this federal centre is truly a historical event,” regional Governor Igor Orlov said in a statement. “It allows us to represent the interests of Russia in the Arctic on the very highest level.”

The centre will be subordinated the Russian Academy of Science and is based on the merger of several existing research institutes. A state decree on the establishment of the centre was signed in October 2015.

Among the centre’s key research fields will be the development of Russian coastal areas and the infrastructure of the Northern Sea Route, Pavlenko said.