Networking in Norway offered unique perspective.
-By Charles Givens
March 26, 2025
Duke University graduate student Eni Owoeye traveled to Tromsø, Norway in late January 2025 to attend a conference supported by the Office of Global Affairs (OGA)’s Global Student Research Fund. The fund supports the global learning, research and professional development of Duke students. Awards can go towards research projects, conference presentations, pre-dissertation travel or summer language study.
Owoeye’s trip to Norway was for the Arctic Frontiers conference, an annual conference that focuses on Arctic-related issues. It brings together scientists, social scientists and policymakers from Arctic nations. Representatives from non-arctic countries like South Korea and India were also present and participated in conversations about the future regarding climate change and current geopolitics.
Owoeye, a graduate student at the Sanford School of Public Policy, presented her master’s thesis research at the conference. Her thesis focuses on wildlife protection, environmental policy and indigenous rights in the Arctic. She discussed the social and political implications of current policy frameworks in the Bering Strait region between the United States and Russia, given increases in vessel traffic.
“[The conference was] just so interdisciplinary,” said Owoeye. “A lot of what I’m doing is more qualitative research, like reaching out to communities and looking at different frameworks. There are people right next to me that are talking about glacial science and permafrost and so you have a wide range of the disciplines. I was lucky enough to get some of their contacts and how that could inform my research.”
Attending the conference provided Owoeye with valuable networking opportunities. “They were really surprised,” said Owoeye, adding they were shocked to learn she was the only participant from the continental United States; some U.S.-based representatives came from Alaska. That unique position seemed to make it easier to open some doors and network.
“I DON’T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO TO NORWAY WITHOUT THE FUNDING.”
All the networking and valuable experiences would not have been possible without OGA’s funding. “I feel very fortunate to have been given a grant,” said Owoeye. “I don’t think I would have been able to go to Norway without the funding.” The cost of travel and accommodation, especially to a somewhat-remote location in Norway, is prohibitively high. “The Airbnb expenses alone was half of all of the funding,” Owoeye noted.
Owoeye’s advisor, Giovanni Zanalda, encouraged her to apply for the Global Student Research Fund. Another Duke student also recommended applying for funds based on their positive experiences.
Owoeye had other options for conferences that fit her research scope, but Arctic Frontiers was the best choice for her to attend. “Because I’m an early career professional, I think that this was probably the best conference for me,” she said. “To have gone to get equal access to not only the other researchers, but to be in the room with the Prime Minister of Norway and with representatives from Greenland. I was strategic in making sure that I not only presented at the conference, but I also volunteered my time to support the conference.”
“ALL OF THAT WAS HAPPENING OVER CASUAL CONVERSATION…”
The conference wasn’t the only place where she made connections. While in Tromsø, Owoeye learned about Sámi culture from her Airbnb host. “I heard about the systematic oppression that happened with the Sámi people, how they were able to organize and to continue to represent themselves in order to further their priorities within their community,” she said. “All of that was happening over casual conversations, and in the next moment, we’re talking about our favorite books or favorite travel, because [my host] also randomly had been to Mozambique, which is where I spent my summer doing my internship!”
OGA’s Global Student Research Fund created the opportunity for Owoeye to present her research, network with experts and gain unique insights into Arctic policy and Indigenous rights. Experiences like hers show the need for this type of funding to give others the same opportunity to address pressing global challenges and help expand Duke’s global reach.
