Thor Bjørn Arlov

Photo credit: Aage Hojem, NTNU

In Residence: January - March 2027

Dr. Thor Bjørn Arlov is a Norwegian historian specialising in the Arctic and the history of Svalbard. He has published extensively as the author and editor of academic and popular books, articles and reports, with research spanning Svalbard’s history, cultural heritage and Arctic whaling and sealing. Arlov was Associate Professor of History at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) from 2002 to 2024 and is a Fellow of the Norwegian Scientific Academy for Polar Research. Having lived in Longyearbyen at various periods and visited Svalbard regularly for more than forty years, he is currently affiliated with Svalbard Museum as Researcher II.

During his residency, Arlov will work on a new, accessible history of Svalbard and its cultural heritage, aimed at residents, visitors, students and readers with a wider interest in the Arctic. Drawing on current research and decades of teaching and field experience, the book will offer a comprehensive account that seeks to avoid national bias and is intended for future translation into English and German. His time in Svalbard will allow him to work closely with Svalbard Museum and the academic community at Svalbard Research Park, access local archives and resources, and discuss the developing work with researchers and the wider Longyearbyen community.