Polar research has a rich history on Svalbard, with Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, and Ny-Ålesund serving as homes for the scientific community. The Svalbard Science Park, housing the University Center in Svalbard (UNIS), was established in 1996 and expanded in 2006 with the addition of the “new wing,” now also housing the Svalbard Museum.
UNIS offers courses in Arctic Biology, Technology, Geology, and Geophysics, attracting students worldwide for semesters involving unique fieldwork in Svalbard’s vast landscape.