Announcing the Norwegian Association of Nonfiction Writers and Translators (NFFO) nominees for Artica Svalbard Residencies in 2025

left: Ragnhild Bjørnsen, photo: James Welburn. right: Siri Helle, photo: David Zadig

We are pleased to announce that the Norwegian Association of Nonfiction Writers and Translators (NFFO) has nominated Siri Helle and Ragnhild Bjørnsen for residencies at Artica Svalbard in 2025. Their projects will examine topics including place and belonging, as well as the social experiences of young people in Svalbard, from different perspectives.

Siri Helle: Exploring Place, Belonging, and Action

Siri Helle is a nonfiction author and journalist whose work often examines practical living, environmental themes, and rural life in Norway. Her books include Trollefossvegen 23 – Tilbake til heimbygda (Samlaget, 2022) and Med berre nevane – Eit forsvar for praktisk arbeid (Samlaget, 2019).

During her residency, Helle will begin research for a new project examining how connections to specific places shape environmental responsibility and collective action. Using Svalbard as a case study, she will investigate how attachment to place can foster stewardship, as well as the barriers transient societies face in cultivating such connections. Her work will also consider how practical engagement with the environment, such as shaping one's surroundings through physical work, influences this relationship.

Ragnhild Bjørnsen: Investigating Youth Well-Being in a Transient Arctic Community

Ragnhild Bjørnsen is a researcher in childhood studies at Inland Norway University. Her work investigates the impact of hypermobility on children’s social lives and rights, with case studies including the Norwegian Foreign Service and Longyearbyen. Bjørnsen applies narrative methodologies, combining interviews, participant observation, and creative workshops in her research.

While at Artica, Bjørnsen will continue her research on the experiences of adolescents in Longyearbyen, focusing on how the community’s high turnover rate (approximately 25%) affects social relationships and belonging. She plans to organise a citizen science workshop where adolescents and adults will discuss her findings and contribute reflections on youth well-being in Longyearbyen. Additionally, she will conduct interviews with professionals working with children, which will inform a legal analysis of the frameworks and policies shaping children’s rights in this Arctic community.

Arne Vestbø, Secretary General at NFFO commented on the selection process: "We are excited to nominate Siri Helle and Ragnhild Bjørnsen for the 2025 Artica Svalbard residency. Their projects align with our commitment to fostering nonfiction work that engages with critical issues that relate to Svalbard."

The nominations from NFFO highlight Artica Svalbard’s ongoing collaboration with partner organisations to support projects that engage with the unique social and environmental conditions of Svalbard. These residencies provide a platform for critical exploration and knowledge-sharing, contributing to understanding the Arctic’s global significance.

We look forward to welcoming both residents to Svalbard and supporting their important work during their time with us.