This year, Sámi student from Guovageaidnu (Norway) - Sara Garen Anne Nilut took part in the Arctic Innovation Lab (January 5-12) together with students from the Harvard Kennedy School. 

The Arctic Innovation Lab at Harvard is a core program of the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, designed to foster interdisciplinary and practical solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the Arctic. The Lab brings together Harvard students, Indigenous youth—particularly reindeer herders—and experts from international universities and organizations to co-create sustainable, real-world ideas. Central to its approach is the integration of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) with policy, science, and technology, ensuring that innovation is grounded in lived experience and cultural understanding.

The Lab focuses on complex and interconnected Arctic issues, including climate change, economic development, security, and Indigenous rights, in a region undergoing rapid environmental and social transformation. Through a combination of academic coursework, hands-on workshops, and mentorship, participants develop innovative concepts that address these challenges in meaningful and actionable ways. Courses such as IGA-671M introduce students to Arctic governance, innovation tools, and collaborative problem-solving, laying the foundation for idea generation and refinement.

The Lab works in close partnership with organizations including ICR, the UArctic EÁLAT Institute, and universities across the Arctic region. Through these collaborations, the Arctic Innovation Lab not only generates practical solutions but also empowers the next generation of Arctic leaders. By translating academic insight into tangible action, the Lab serves as a unique platform for young people to become change-makers and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable Arctic.

Photo by Liz Hanlon, Belfer Center