Olav Orheim, PhD, is a glaciologist and climatologist who has led more than 20 scientific expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica. He worked for 40 years at the Norwegian Polar Institute, 12 of which as managing director, while simultaneously holding an appointment as professor of glaciology at the University of Bergen. During this time, he also played a critical role in the establishment of Troll, Norway’s permanent research station in Antarctica, as well as the founding of the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland and the Polaria experience center in Tromsø. For his distinguished service, he was awarded Officer of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 2007 and the Order of St. Charles of Monaco in 2012.

Dr. Orheim has served on the executive boards of numerous organizations devoted to the study and protection of the polar regions, including the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Glaciological Society (IGC). At present, he is the chairman of the Fram Committee and a member of several international boards and committees.