Meet the National Chairs: Freydís Vigfúsdóttir, Iceland
Meet the chairs of our five national societies! The chair of the Icelandic Ecological Society/Vistfræðifélag Íslands (VISTÍS) is Dr. Freydís Vigfúsdóttir, Project Manager at Reykjavík City and part-time Adjunct Lecturer at University of Iceland.
Hi, Freydís! How would you describe your national society and its members?
The Icelandic Ecological Society is a diverse and international society with many students and ECRs but has also many senior members.
What are your aspirations as chair? Any recent or upcoming developments that you are especially excited about?
My aspiration as chair is to facilitate networking and visibility of ecological research across social and professional status, gender, and background, to ensure an equal platform for everyone studying Icelandic ecology to be seen and heard.
What do you like about being part of the Nordic ecological societies?
Being part of the Nordic ecological societies ensures a cross-Nordic visibility and will enhance collaboration and thus strengthen ecological research across the range.
Any comments on the role of our societies within the big picture of global ecology and its applications in the 21st century?
As a united front the Nordic societies can have a strong voice in important matters on a global scale, such as regarding climate change in the Arctic. The societies together can provide a scientific foundation ensuring evidence-based decisions for policymaking on a variety of matters related to nature.
What is your professional focus?
I am an ecologist and my research interests lie in the field of spatial and trophic ecology of animals. Current research is focused on foraging ecology of marine animals and influences of marine resource limitations on arctic and subarctic ecosystems, as well as studies on stress associated with disturbance and risk behaviours of long-distance migrants.
Anything exciting going on now in your life or work?
My new job (Project Manager at Reykjavík City) is keeping me busy!
What's one way your life or work changed in the pandemic, for better or worse?
For better the pandemic made sure I can now participate more easily in meetings that I'm interested in, such as conferences in different countries, that are now held online. For worse, it was not easy to work from home with small children at home as well. I was very grateful when the kindergarten opened again.
What do you miss most about pre-pandemic times? Where are you itching to travel?
I do miss face-to-face interactions with my colleagues, informal chats and discussing ideas in the pub post-conferences. I would love to take my family somewhere warm and swim in the sea without a 6 mm wetsuit.
Favorite organism or ecosystem: One of my favorite ecosystems is a healthy kelp forest on a clear day. Snorkeling and diving in these is just brilliant, with all the variety of life they host.
Favorite book, movie, show: I have many favorites, but to mention some, one of my favorite books is The Song of the Dodo by David Quammen, one of my favorite movies is the 1979 Alien, and one of my favorite shows is the British TV show Fleabag.
Favorite hobby or activity: I am an avid cyclist and love road cycling, downhill mountain biking, and gravel biking.
Favorite food: A good Indian curry or a Moroccan tagine!
Favorite colour: Aqua. What can I say, I'm a marine ecologist. :D
Meet the other national society chairs: