Local researcher won the Greenland PhD-cup with a passionate speech to the nation | Polarjournal
Regine Møller won Paasisavut, the bi-annual Greenlandic PhD-competion, with a five-minute presentation on her research in the small town of Isortoq. Photo: Emil Stach
Regine Møller won Paasisavut, the bi-annual Greenlandic PhD-competion, with a five-minute presentation on her research in the small town of Isortoq. Photo: Emil Stach

Regine Møller from Aalborg University, Denmark, managed to bring both passion and information to the stage as she won the Greenlandic research competition Paasisavut on last week. Watch a recording of the show below.

By Rasmus Balle Hansen

This article was originally published by Arctic Hub. Read the original article here.

Regine Møller receives the trophy and a cash prize of 50,000 Danish kroner.

It wasn’t an easy decision for the three judges, Nukâka Coster-Waldau, Minik Rosing, and Rosannguaq Rossen, to choose the winner of this year’s Paasisavut. But the choice fell on Regine Møller, a Ph.D. candidate at Aalborg University.

On Wednesday evening, she won the Greenlandic research communication competition, Paasisavut, impressing the judges with her presentation on the perspectives of the people of Isortoq on sustainable development.

The judges especially highlighted her unique ability to communicate a Ph.D. project that is clearly close to her heart, engaging the audience from the stage with both passion and insight.

“It’s completely surreal. I didn’t expect this at all,” says an excited Regine Møller after the show, adding:

“My goal wasn’t to win, but to tell the story of Isortoq.”

The full Paasisavut show is available online. This video starts at 33.44 at the presentation of Lokesh Jain, the only constant to speak in English. The eventual winner, Regine Møller, who spoke in Greenlandic, starts her presentation at 24.30.

A full house for a show about research

Katuaq was packed with listening ears and smiling faces as the five finalists took turns on stage to share their knowledge with all of Greenland.

“We’re incredibly happy that, once again this year, we managed to fill the country’s largest hall with an entertainment show focused on research. Research can really be amusing, and it was tonight,” says Nicoline Larsen, communications manager at Arctic Hub, the organizes of Paasisavut.

“We’re very proud of our finalists and the panel of judges. Without them, there would be no Paasisavut!”

In Paasisavut, the finalists, all Ph.D. candidates, have five minutes to communicate their research to the Greenlandic public in an entertaining and informative way.

This year, Regine Møller was the one who impressed the judges the most.

Stories from a small settlement with a big cultural significance

In her research project, Regine Møller investigates how self-determination and sustainable development can be based on local perspectives.

Focusing on the small settlement of Isortoq in East Greenland, her Ph.D. project delves into how small communities, identity, and traditions can play a major role in Greenland’s future. The hunting culture is deeply rooted in Greenland’s identity, but it faces challenges that threaten the existence of small settlements.

The three judges were national dress-researcher Rosannguaq Rossen (left), geologist Minik Rosing (middle), and actress Nukâka Coster-Waldau (right). Photo: Emil Stach

The days leading up to the show

In the days leading up to the event, the five finalists received training in stage performance and had the chance to rehearse their presentations before a smaller audience, which helped Regine Møller with her presentation.

“I’m very grateful for Ane Marie Ottosen’s guidance in the days before Paasisavut. She has been an enormous help and support for all of us,” says Regine Møller.

The five contestants were from left to right Kirstine Eiby Møller, Mie Møller, Regine Møller, Lokesh Jain, and Natacha Severin.
The five contestants were from left to right Kirstine Eiby Møller, Mie Møller, Regine Møller, Lokesh Jain, and Natacha Severin. Read more about their research projects here. Photo: Emil Stach

Paasisavut 2026

The first edition of Paasisavut took place in the beginning of 2023. Paasisavut, according to Arctic Hub, will return in 2026.

This article was originally published by Arctic Hub. Read the original article here.

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