Science communication in Greenland: Experiences from the Kalaallit Nunaat Caves and Climate Outreach Project (KINDLE)

Effective science communication is essential for building trust between researchers and society, particularly in regions where environmental change is rapid and directly affects local communities. In Greenland, the National Research Strategy emphasises inclusive, community-centred research and the active involvement of Greenlanders in scientific processes. Within this context, the Kalaallit Nunaat Caves and Climate Outreach Project (KINDLE) was developed as a science communication initiative linked to the Greenland Caves Project, which investigates palaeoclimate, cave systems, and geological processes in northern Greenland.

KINDLE was designed to explore ways of strengthening connections between research and society by working with Greenlandic communities to share scientific work in accessible formats, support locally grounded engagement with cave environments, and encourage long-term participation in cave exploration and research. The project employed a range of communication approaches in multiple languages, including an interactive exhibition, micro-documentaries, hands-on workshops for children, public presentations with open Q&A sessions, and practical caving skills workshops for adults. These activities were hosted during a one-month residency at the ILLU Science & Art Hub in Ilulissat, part of the Climate Narratives initiative, which promotes climate communication through diverse forms of storytelling.

Based on the experiences from the residency, we reflect on lessons that may be informative for other Earth science contexts, including the value of storytelling that emphasizes how science is done over specific results, the importance of local partnerships and trusted venues, and the need to approach science communication as an evolving, collaborative practice. The project illustrates how science communication can move beyond dissemination toward participation, with the long-term aim of enabling local communities to engage with, contribute to, and potentially lead future research and exploration initiatives.