Elke Lindner

Always fascinated by cold and snow, Elke soon discovered the Polar Regions. This German scientist has spent extended periods of time in Svalbard and shorter periods of time in Greenland and in Antarctica as a student, field biologist and naturalist, working on various expedition cruise ships.

Elke holds a Masters Degree in Terrestrial and Arctic Ecology and brings a unique blend of expertise, complemented by her recent experience as a nurse in general medicine for the past two years. This combination reflects her diverse interests and skills. 

She has spent her career studying and educating about the cold regions of our planet. Her interest in these areas began during a botanical expedition to Spitsbergen in 1998, which ignited her passion for Polar environments. Over the years, Elke has taken part in university expeditions to Greenland and Antarctica. During her time in Antarctica, she assisted with research projects focused on Giant Petrels, penguins and littoral fauna. Throughout this period, Longyearbyen served as her home base. While studying, Elke also worked as the local harbor master and seasonally as a ship-based guide. During her studies based in Spitsbergen, Elke conducted research on Svalbard Reindeer behavior for her thesis. 

For over two decades, Elke has shared her knowledge as a lecturer and guide on tourist vessels in the Arctic and Antarctic, educating travellers about these unique environments and the importance of conservation. Her career reflects her dedication to learning, exploration, and preserving our polar regions for the future.