Explore the University of Akureyri’s research areas and connect with experts across social sciences, health, and business. Our researchers actively participate in Nordic and European collaboration projects and welcome new international partnerships.
To learn more about partnering with UNAK, explore our Research Collaboration opportunities. You can also browse our current and previous Research Projects.
The Faculty of Social Sciences conducts interdisciplinary research on contemporary societal challenges, with strong links to international research networks.
Research on how inequalities are shaped by gender, class, and citizenship across different social and political contexts.
Focus on political systems, media landscapes, and power relations in democratic societies.
Research on policing, justice systems, and public safety, with an emphasis on evidence-based policy and practice.
Research on sustainable development, communities, and socio-economic change in Arctic regions.
Research on ethics, culture, and society, including collective memory, higher education, and cultural expressions such as humour.
The Faculty of Occupational Therapy focuses on research on occupation and participation across the lifespan, with an emphasis on inclusion, health, and wellbeing.
Research on family-centred practice, disability, and participation across different life stages.
Focus on accessibility, human rights, and inclusive policies and services.
Research on client-centred practices, service delivery, and innovation in health and rehabilitation.
Focus on participation in higher education, inclusion, and professional training in occupational therapy.
The Faculty of Business Administration conducts research on innovation, sustainability, and economic development in both local and global contexts.
Research on sustainable development, rural and regional issues, and innovation ecosystems.
Focus on global markets, international trade, and economic systems.
Research on financial systems, investments, and economic decision-making.
Research on consumer behaviour, branding, and market dynamics.
Focus on organisational leadership, workplace dynamics, and human resource management.
The Faculty of Nursing conducts research on health, wellbeing, and care across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on patient-centred approaches and evidence-based practice.
Research on mental health, psychological wellbeing, and the impact of trauma on individuals and communities.
Focus on maternal health, pregnancy, and wellbeing of mothers and families.
Research on caregiving, family relationships, ageing, and gerontology.
Focus on quality of life, lifestyle factors, and pain management in healthcare.
The Faculty of Psychology focuses on research on brain function, behaviour, relationships, and development across the lifespan. The faculty combines experimental, clinical, and applied approaches, supported by advanced laboratory facilities and research methods.
Research on brain function, cognitive processes, and neural mechanisms using advanced methods such as EEG, eye-tracking, and computational modelling.
Key topics include visual attention and memory, emotional processing, synesthesia, short-term memory, and brain-related disorders such as seasonal affective disorder.
Focus on emotional processes, interpersonal relationships, and how emotions shape behaviour in everyday life.
Research includes romantic relationships, emotional synchrony, attachment, interpersonal emotion regulation, and decision-making.
Research on how children and adolescents develop social understanding, moral behaviour, and learning processes within different social and cultural environments.
Research on psychological health, behaviour, and applied interventions, including clinical psychology, sports psychology, and behaviour analysis.
Focus on measurement, data analysis, and the development of reliable psychological assessment tools.
The Faculty of Education conducts research in inclusive and multicultural education, social justice, teacher education, professional development, and innovative teaching and learning practices across diverse educational settings.
The Faculty of Law conducts research in international and constitutional law, human rights, Arctic and Polar law, environmental and natural resources law, and the relationship between law, society, and public administration.
The Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences conducts research in environmental microbiology, biotechnology, genetics, ecology, and sustainable resource use, with particular emphasis on Arctic and sub-Arctic ecosystems, biodiversity, and applied natural sciences.
UNAK researchers are active partners in Horizon Europe, NordForsk, and EEA-funded projects. We welcome new international collaboration across disciplines.
Explore collaboration opportunities page to learn more about partnership opportunities, funding experience, and how to connect with UNAK as a project partner.
You can also browse our Research Projects to see examples of current and previous work.
