The summer school concentrated on topics of sanitation and wastewater in extreme Arctic environments, especially in less-populated areas not connected to civil infrastructure.
During the summer of 2024, both students returned to the Arctic DTU campus in Sisimiut, Greenland, to continue the research themes of the summer school, access context-specific learning materials, and learn from local and indigenous residents. Each student applied their respective academic background and perspective on the topic of hygiene in Greenlandic settlements. Greenlandic settlements have limited water infrastructure, and only 20% of settlement houses are connected to piping. Therefore, settlements have created alternative ways of providing water. Itilleq, the site of the fieldwork, provides treated water through communal taphouses that are located along paths and dispersed throughout the community.
Taphouse
For one week in September, Agata and Chloe visited Itilleq to gain insight on the water quality implications of taphouse use, as well as residents' habits and challenges surrounding water access. They worked with a local guide who enabled and translated interviews, provided necessary context on water use in daily life, and facilitated qualitative data gathering. Interviews consisted of anonymous surveys, semi-structured discussions, and detailed questionnaires to provide an understanding of residents’ practices surrounding water gathering, storage, and use in domestic life. In addition, Agata gathered water quality data from water treatment plants and domestic water containers, and Chloe analyzed existing housing types.
Based on their fieldwork, each student wrote a master’s thesis for their respective fields. Agata presented her findings and final thesis to her advisors, including Arctic WASH Thematic Network lead Pernille Erland Jensen, in February 2025. She has since presented her findings at the 10th National Conference of Young Water Professionals in Denmark. Chloe presented her analysis and thesis to her university’s architecture faculty in November 2024 and presented at the ISCH 2025 conference in Rovaniemi, Finland.
Chloe’s thesis is published here. Agata’s thesis is not yet public, but will be made available on this website.