Mette Simonsen Abildgaard

Mette Simonsen Abildgaard is an Associate Professor of Arctic Technology Studies at Aalborg University, affiliated with the Department of Culture and Learning in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is a member of the TANTlab research group and conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Science and Technology Studies (STS), media studies, and anthropology, with a regional focus on the Arctic and Nordic countries.

Her research centers on the socio-technical dynamics between digital and telecommunication infrastructures and everyday life, particularly in Greenland. She investigates how infrastructure shapes—and is shaped by—local communities, especially those often marginalized in technological development. She develops the concept of 'infrastructural encounters' to bridge global systems with personal experiences, contributing theoretically to infrastructure research.

Her recent publications span topics such as Arctic submarine cables, satellite communication, telephone practices, and cyber disruptions. These works employ ethnographic methods and engage with actor-network theory and material culture. Her research projects include the Carlsberg-funded Talent grant 'Infrastructural Encounters,' 'DigiBreak,' 'IMAGINE PoCo,' and 'The Greenland Suburban Dream,' all reflecting sustained engagement with Arctic infrastructure and digital systems.

She has received the Ziman Award 2020 as part of the TANTlab team. Her academic activities include guest lectures, conference presentations, and organizing workshops. She has also contributed to public discourse through 26 media appearances and participated in a politically impactful meeting with the U.S. Ambassador-at-large for Arctic Affairs.

• Associate Professor, Arctic Technology Studies
• Member, TANTlab
• Principal Investigator, Talent grant SSH
• Project Coordinator, IMAGINE PoCo

There is no mention of student advising or part-time status in the provided information.