Emma is a polar researcher, PhD fellow in Arctic archaeology, and a samba dancer in her free time, Emma is an expert in the historical relationship between humans and dogs. She has a deep appreciation for Greenland's cultural traditions and a passion for making the invisible parts of history visible.

The quick ones

Where in the world are you right now? Currently, I am based in Copenhagen, although I travel extensively throughout the year.

Hometown? I grew up in Copenhagen, but I have an Italian father.

Your primary discipline? I am a polar researcher and Ph.D. fellow in Arctic archaeology at Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland), Nunatta Katersugaasivia Allagaateqarfialu (National Museum and Archives of Greenland), the National Museum of Denmark, and the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen.

When else do you like to do? When I'm not busy with research, I am a samba dancer in my free time. I often perform in shows with my samba school. It's the complete opposite of my work, and it's nice to have that balance.

Let's connect

What drives you? Tell us about your journey and what sparked your passion for entrepreneurship? I have always been fascinated by the historical collaboration between humans and dogs—a relationship that has been crucial for life, travel, and settlement in the Arctic. My curiosity drives me. The dog sledding culture is an overlooked field in research, and there is still so much to discover. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to study such an important part of Greenland’s cultural history and to meet the people who carry on this tradition. The dog sled was a central technology in

prehistoric Greenland, but we still know very little about its development and variation. My research attempts to make the invisible visible—to understand the material culture behind the dog sled complex and the deep relationship between human and dog.

Your most unforgettable moment in your life/career? One of the most unforgettable moments of my research was when I spent six weeks in Sisimiut, Greenland, to build a dog sled according to old Inuit traditions. I had never built a sled before—in fact, I had almost no carpentry experience—but I ended up completing the task on my own. The sled I reconstructed was based on a model from the 1930s from Upernavik. When it was finished, I test-drove it with a team of sled dogs. Afterward, it was taken over by a local dog owner. It was a powerful experience, both physically and mentally, and a reminder of how much knowledge is hidden in the craft and in the traditions we try to understand and preserve. It’s only when you have built an object yourself that you notice all the details.

What's the next big adventure? What dreams are you chasing? I hope my research can contribute to an increased focus on the preservation of dog sledding culture, which is currently threatened by both climate change and societal development. Greenland has the largest remaining sled dog population in the Arctic and a globally unique tradition—but it is under pressure. My next adventure is about using the practical knowledge from sled building to identify fragmented sled parts in archaeological finds, thereby opening new windows into the social practices of the past. For thousands of years, the dog sled has been crucial for human survival in the Arctic, but its earliest use in Greenland is still a mystery. My goal is to investigate and document whether dog sleds were used in Greenland earlier than previously assumed—a discovery that could potentially rewrite our understanding of Arctic prehistory.

Why are you and LOOW such a great match? As a female polar researcher, I perform fieldwork in harsh Arctic conditions where both physical and mental resilience are paramount. Working in severe weather and nature requires reliable, functional, and durable equipment—and that’s why LOOW is the perfect match. LOOW’s merino wool products are ideal for layering in the cold, changeable conditions I work in.

Your essential piece of LOOW gear – and why? The merino wool top (The WRT-135 Reversible Top), which I will use almost all year round. For me, it is important that the inner layer of clothing is wool—it regulates heat and dries quickly. It is both functional and comfortable, making it indispensable in my work.

A personal mantra or a philosophy you live by? have often found that people doubt my abilities, but I see that as an opportunity to prove them wrong. When someone says I can’t, I become even more motivated to show that I can. It has become a kind of philosophy for me: when someone doubts me, there is even more reason to prove them wrong.

Anything else we need to know? I hope my work can help raise awareness of Greenlandic dog sled culture and its significance, both historically and today.

Follow Emma on her Instagram here