Discovering Lapland: A Week at the University of Lapland

Author: Paola Jimenez-Casanova, PhD at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) (contact link)

The author (middle) with colleagues
Andrei Diaconescu (left) and Martta Alajärvi

Last October, I finally made it to Lapland, a dream I’d had since learning I would be doing a research visit in Helsinki as part of my PhD programme. As a Mexican, the idea of travelling to the Arctic felt more like a fantasy than something that could actually happen!

This dream came true thanks to my doctoral network, THERESA DC, which not only supports my research but also connected me with Prof. Dr. Sirja-Leena Penttinen, who kindly invited me to spend a week at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi – the gateway to Finnish Lapland.

During my stay, I met fellow PhD researchers Martta, Andrei and Emilia – members of the LOST research group – whom I had first met at a conference earlier this year. We share a passion for exploring the legal challenges of the energy transition, so it was inspiring to exchange ideas and experiences. I also attended the Annual PhD Seminar at the Faculty of Law, where I discovered a wide range of research topics – from space law and copyrights law to child protection and environmental law. It was exciting to see my own research on EU hydrogen network regulation spark some great discussions!

Outside the university, I took every chance to experience Lapland’s peaceful atmosphere. I wandered through foggy, terracotta-coloured forests where the only sounds were the wind, the rain, and the birds. Evenings were spent in my cosy cottage in Ylitornio, preparing firewood for a candlelit sauna. My only neighbours? Another small cottage and a few curious reindeer wandering nearby! Lapland is the home of Finland’s reindeer, so it’s common to see them wandering freely through the region. It’s important to drive carefully, as reindeer truly share their space with humans.

And, of course, the highlight of my trip: the aurora borealis. After a late-night drive to the top of a mountain in Levi, I finally saw the green lights dancing across the sky. It was absolutely magical! The perfect way to end an unforgettable week that combined academic exchange, Arctic adventure, and a touch of northern magic.

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The author would like to acknowledge her position in the THERESA Project (GA no. 101073195), which is funded by the EU Horizon programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).