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High North Hero 2026:
Frode Mellemvik is This Year's High North Hero: A Bridge Builder in The Arctic
Bodø (High North News): Frode Mellemvik received this year's High North Hero award for his many years of effort in building up universities, academic communities, and international networks in the north.
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"The 2026 High North Hero has been a consistent bridge builder between the Arctic and the wider world", says the head of the High North Hero jury and director at Arctic Frontiers, Anu Fredrikson, about this year's High North Hero. The award was presented during the High North Dialogue in Bodø, Northern Norway Thursday afternoon.
The jury describes a man who, through 'leadership, expertise, and an extraordinary ability to connect people', has helped to place Bodø and Northern Norway on the international Arctic map.
"Very humble"
This year's award winner does not hide that the accolade came unexpectedly. He has himself been involved in establishing the award and had never imagined being on the receiving side.
"I was very surprised, and I still am. I had not imagined that I would receive it", he says to High North News.
Mellemviv is the ninth in line to receive the award, something he describes as both great and inspiring.
"I am very humble towards the group of people I am now placed among. They are skilled people who have contributed a lot, and it also makes me want to give more. There are some who believe that what I have contributed is valuable enough for such an award, so I am inspired by it", he says.
A driving force in the north
For several decades, Mellemvik has been a central driving force in the development of knowledge environments in the north. As rector at Bodø University College from 1997, he led the work that later laid the foundation for the establishment of the University of Nordland in 2011.
He also played a key role in the development of the High North Centre in 2007, which under his leadership grew to become an important academic environment for international cooperation and High North policy.
He himself believes that this long-term work has been crucial for him now receiving the award.
"I think the reason is that I have worked hard to develop knowledge and structures with the High North Centre and the university, which will help us become even better at knowledge about and in the north."
Many of today's Arctic collaborations exist precisely because Mellemvik has built trust and encouraged dialogue between people and institutions, says jury leader Fredrikson, adding:
"He has shown us that building community is about forging genuine bonds as colleagues, friends, and Arctic citizens."
When asked what he is most proud of, Mellemvik highlights the entirety of the work.
"The fact that I have been able to create structures for the centre and the newspaper High North News, and everything we achieve here, makes me very proud. I am most happy that I have been allowed to work with these issues", he says, adding that the goal has always been to make the region stronger in knowledge about and in the north.
Need more people
Mellemvik is clear that the most important task for the northern areas now is to ensure stability in the region.
"We know that if the population development continues as it has, we will become significantly fewer people", he says.
He emphasises that the security situation in the north is strengthened through cooperation with NATO, but that security alone is not enough.
He points out that it must be attractive to live and reside in the north, and that this applies to the entire Arctic, but especially in Norway.
"If we look at the enormous resources we have in the north, we need more people. Whoever can solve that challenge will have contributed a lot", he says.
In all the years I have led the centre, I have been on the other side and enjoyed those who received the prize.
Greater visibility
Mellemvik has been closely involved with the High North Hero award since the beginning. The idea arose from the work to give greater visibility to the High North Dialogue and to actors who contribute in the northern areas.
The idea was to highlight individuals or institutions that have made a difference in the north.
"If we could honour someone and give attention to a person or institution that has made significant contributions so that we can achieve more in the Arctic, it could help draw attention."
What he will use the cash prize for is still unclear.
"In all the years I have led the centre, I have stood on the other side and enjoyed those who received the award. Now I shall enjoy that I have received it myself, but I have not had time to think about what I will use the money for", he concludes.
