25 years of INTERACT celebrated in Bologna

We came together during the Station Managers Forum 2026 in Bologna, Italy in April to discuss activities and future plans for INTERACT and to celebrate a major milestone: 25 years of INTERACT!

This anniversary marks a quarter century since SCANNET was established in 2001 - the first international network of research stations across the eight Arctic countries, which laid the foundation for what INTERACT has become today.

Discussions during the Station Manager Forum highlighted shared challenges across stations, including securing long-term funding, navigating administrative systems that often do not reflect field realities, and operating in remote or geopolitically sensitive locations. 

At the same time, the Forum emphasised the strength of collaboration within this diverse network and the value of learning from one another. Looking ahead, INTERACT will contribute to International Polar Year initiatives, work on joint project proposals, and strengthen engagement across the network through activities such as joint seminars.