IASC is a non-government organization with a mission to enable cooperation between countries engaged in arctic research. The Research Council of Norway has chosen Bjørkan as a Norwegian representative. 

– I am both proud, happy and humble. It is a great responsibility and at the same time a very important duty, the experienced researcher says. 

It is not the first time Bjørkan has been chosen for important missions. Iselin Marstrander, managing director of Nordland Research Institute, is proud of Bjørkans achievements. 

– I want to congratulate Maiken with yet another exiting appointment, she says. 

– For Nordland Research Institute this is another recognition of our strong engagement for the arctic areas and the research environment we have built over several years.