UW receives Rannís recognition for Science Communication
On Saturday, the University Centre of the Westfjords received the 2026 Rannís Science Communication Recognition at the Icelandic Science and Technology Week. Catherine Chambers, Director of UW, accepted the recognition from Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education.
The recognition highlights the University Centre’s strong commitment to science communication, particularly its work to strengthen ocean literacy in the local community. Collaboration with schools, cultural institutions and other partners in the Westfjords has played an important role in this work.
Projects about ocean literacy
In recent years, the University Centre has been involved in a range of projects that give children and young people opportunities to engage directly with the ocean and with science.
One of these is Furðuverur í fjörunni, a science and art workshop organised in collaboration with Edinborg Cultural Centre. Primary school children explored coastal life, examined organisms collected in crab traps and then developed their observations further through creative work in an art workshop.
In HOBB – Hafið okkar, blá Bolungarvík, students at Bolungarvík Primary School worked with UW on ocean literacy and science, with a particular focus on invasive species. Students took part in sampling and data collection and communicated what they learned through art and podcasting.
SeaGirls approached ocean literacy from a different perspective. In the project, carried out in collaboration with the Museum of Everyday Life, a group of girls were given disposable film cameras over the summer and asked to document their own relationship with the ocean. The project also contributes to a wider discussion about gender, the ocean and the participation of women in fisheries and ocean sustainability.
In FlushWatch, students in grades 6 and 7 at Bolungarvík Primary School had the opportunity to operate an underwater drone in Bolungarvík harbour and see first-hand what can enter the marine environment through wastewater systems. The project provided a hands-on way to discuss pollution, wastewater and the impact of everyday actions on the ocean.
Although the projects differ in their approach, they all share the same goal: to bring science closer to children and young people and connect it with their own surroundings. Participants are not simply given information; they are encouraged to investigate, ask questions, collect data, create and communicate.
The University Centre of the Westfjords sincerely thanks Rannís for the recognition. It is an important encouragement to continue developing accessible and engaging science communication and to create further opportunities for communities in the Westfjords to take an active part in science.