water

As an animal historian, I study interactions between Icelanders and aquatic animals, using oral history and film to explore the historical narratives of underwater species.

2025. I wrote a chapter titled Sharkmanship | Hákarlamennska about Icelandic shark fishing in the past. The chapter is part of the book Langt var róið og þungur sjór by the ethnographer Sigurður Ægisson – See

2025. Shark Sun | Hákarlasól is an educational documentary about the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) off the coast of Iceland. The film examines the behavior of the Greenland shark through the eyes of shark fishermen, offering a new perspective on this intriguing species—and on the relationship between Icelandic shark fishermen and the Greenland shark. Recently, direct shark fishing in Iceland has declined, and the remaining fishermen are mostly older men. Their experiences are vital for understanding the Greenland shark’s history. English subtitles.

TRAILER

Icelandic shark fishermen out at sea: The interaction between natural forces and shark fishing. Ritið 1/2024, bls. 57-97. Hákarlamenn á hafi úti. Samspil náttúruafla og hákarlaveiða í sögu og samtíma – See

Masculinity of historical shark fishermen in Iceland. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV). Karlmennskuímynd hákarlamanna fyrr á tíð. Víðsjá – See

Shark interviews

2025. Interview on Icelandic ocean history. Viðtal um hafsöguna. Samstöðin. Rauða borðið – See

2025. Radio interview about shark fishing and the importance of Greenland shark conservation in Iceland / The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. – See

Ongoing research

This study examines the environmental history of wild Icelandic salmon, focusing on sea-pen farming along Iceland’s coast in the 21st century. It aims to understand how river owners view the effects of sea pen farming on their local environment by interviewing them. Supported by funding from the Icelandic Fish Breeding Fund/ Fiskræktarsjóður.

A Tale of River Kaldakvísl  | a creative nonfiction essay. Ritið 3/2024, bls. 109-161. Köldukvíslarkver. Riteyja.– See

The mini-documentary Hermit at Salmon War is about an Icelandic farmer’s fight against the open-net pen aquaculture business. English subtitles.

Hermit at salmon war. An essay exploring how sea pen farming impacts the life of a hermit farmer. 2024. Einbúi í eldisstríði. Heimildin.  – See

The mini-documentary Visiting the Trout in River Öxara showcases biologist Johannes Sturlaugsson as he visits his long-time friends, the brown trout in the Öxara River at Thingvellir National Park in Iceland, during their spawning season. Urriðinn í Öxará sóttur heim.

Women´s water and fish protection in Iceland in the past. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV). Kvenskörungar fyrri tíma sem gerðust aðgerðasinnar. Víðsjá. – See

The sky wept on a wet grave. An essay on how sea pen farming affects the Icelandic fjords and their coasts. 2023. Himinn grét á vota gröf– See

Animals, nature and nature conservation in the folktales of Jón Árnason. Radio lecture on the radio show Víðsjá. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV). Dýr, náttúrufar og náttúruvernd í þjóðsögum Jóns Árnasonar

Salmon interviews

FISKATENGSL | FISH TIES  documentary by Eric Teo.
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“Amid Iceland’s marine ecosystem battling challenges like the farmed salmon crisis and the growing impact of climate change, a father-daughter duo is trying to use research and history to reconnect Icelanders with the aquatic world.”

I was interviewed for the Patagonia documentary Laxaþjóð | A Salmon Nation

2026. I was interviewed for the piece “Oro rosa” in Marie Claire by @marieclaireitalia and @schirragiraldi.it

2025. I was interviewed for the piece “La verità del salmone” in Esquire Italia by Manuela Schirra and Fabrizio Giraldi.

ONGOING RESEARCH

This study examines the historical presence of orcas in the coastal waters surrounding Iceland and analyzes their interactions with the Icelandic population. Covering the period from the early settlement of Iceland to the present, the research utilizes archival records, scientific literature, and oral history interviews to document and analyze orca behavior in Icelandic waters, as well as their cultural and ecological significance. Insights gained from this study enhance understanding of human-ocean wildlife relationships in Iceland and ultimately support marine conservation initiatives. Verkefnið Háhyrningar við Ísland | dýrasaga.

Orca interviews

2026. In this radio interview I address two primary topics: the killing of orcas in Icelandic waters and the capture of wild orcas in Iceland for aquarium exhibition / The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. – See

I am the founder and director of Icelandic Aquatic Animals |Vatnaverur Íslands – an educational organization dedicated to the conservation of Icelandic marine and freshwater ecosystems. Each year, as part of my non-profit organization, I have the pleasure of teaching schoolchildren about the fascinating organisms that inhabit Icelandic aquatic ecosystems through the lens of biology, environmental ethics, and animal history (ice. dýrasaga). See webpage

• 2025.  Seminar on Creative Nonfiction. University of Iceland. I gave a lecture about my nonfiction essay, “A Tale of River Kaldakvísl.” Málstofan Sannsögur. Háskóli Íslands. Flutti erindið „Fögur ertu, Kaldakvísl“ um riteyjuna mína Köldukvíslarkver – See

• 2025. “Hidden Creature in the Sea.” A presentation discussing the perspectives of 19th-century shark fishermen on Greenland sharks as both organisms and commodities at a symposium hosted by the Society for the 18th Century Studies. Erindið “Huldufiskur í hafi” fjallar um viðhorf hákarlamanna til hákarlsins sem lífveru og afurðar. Málþing Félags um átjándu aldar fræði 8. febrúar 2025. Málþingið:Veiðar við Ísland á sautjándu, átjándu og nítjándu öld.

• 2024. Ice and Water: Circular Thinking on Cultural and Environmental Sustainability. University of Iceland, 23-24 May 2024.I gave a conference lecture titled “Sharks and Men: Shark Fishing in Iceland.”

Teaching | University of Iceland

2023 Oral history teacher at the University of Iceland. I taught the course Oral History (Munnlega saga) which I designed to deepen students’ comprehension of oral history methodologies and theoretical frameworks, focusing on how oral history is used in environmental and gender history. – See

guest lecturer:

2026. Guest speaker at the course Creative writing at the University of Iceland, where I discussed nature nonfiction writing.

2023. A guest speaker on environmental history in the course Environmental Humanities (Umhverfishugvísindi) in the University of Iceland on ocean oral history and the Greenland shark.

2023 / 2022 / 2021 / 2020. I served as guest lecturer on oral history and its application in gender and environmental history for a historical methodology course at the University of Iceland (námskeiðið Sagnfræðileg vinnubrögð). 

A television interview where I discuss my book on female vagrants and hermits and the women´s profound interconnection with the animal kingdom, which shaped their experiences and lifestyles. Additionally, I explored the theme of women’s autonomy in natural landscapes by analyzing the lives of women who inhabited the Icelandic wilderness, shedding light on their unique adaptations and interactions with the environment. Förukonur, einsetukonur og aðrar jaðarkonur. Heima er bezt – See

Radio lecture. Icelandic seawomen. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV). Konur og hafið. Víðsjá.– See

Radio lecture. The importance of fighting against fin whale hunting in Iceland. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV). Ríkishvalræði og langreyðar. Víðsjá– See

• Sharks International 2022 Conference – poster booth. – See