Lars H. Smedsrud has a wide experience in polar oceanography from Arctic and Antarctic waters. Smedsrud leads a network for polar researchers at the University in Bergen and is a professor II at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS). He has been a member of the Scientific Steering Group in CliC (Climate and the Cryosphere) from World Climate Research Programme, and been one of the coordinators in Arctic ECRA (European Climate Research Alliance). PhD in Physical Oceanography in March 2000.