Hi there!

Within The IK Foundation, we always try to maintain a high status and quality on the many different projects we do; it is simply a necessity for the organisation's long-term survival and a natural part because we do not have any guaranteed annual income from, for example, the government. As mentioned, the spirit of acting as a trustworthy stand-alone and public organisation is rooted in IK’s DNA; it requires constantly maintaining a high status and quality!

This approach to managing projects – which can often last many years – requires not only good ideas and skilled participants, but also that the various ”end products” maintain a long-term quality and are completed within the planned time and at estimated costs. It is not always an easy task, but it is one that we have a lot of experience handling!

An example of a complicated project is the publication of the monograph ”NATURAE OBSERVATIO SPITSBERGEN – Science Expeditions,” which is based on centuries of historical expeditions and many years of contemporary fieldwork at Spitsbergen. In recent years, IK has gathered nearly 100 people to produce this unique 400-page book.

The above picture of our book designer, Graham Scott, in his studio, can symbolise an insight into some of this work. He is responsible for creating brand-new scientific maps and illustrations, incorporating texts from writing researchers and creating exceptionally beautiful and transparent plates in large fold-outs. Managing IK's classic yet modern graphic profile with innovative designs requires responsible work, great attention to detail, and accuracy.

Years of cooperation with writers in many countries, the editorial's ”eternal” cohesive efforts, along with Graham Scott's work, are an excellent example of how IK approaches projects. However, despite our high standard aims, this type of multifaceted book project is sometimes affected by external causes. A troubled world has caused higher costs and ill health among participants in the project, causing the publication date to be moved a few months ahead. This, together with the fact that holiday periods in the northern hemisphere are coming soon, will make book printing and hand-binding possible only after the summer. We expect the monograph to be available globally in November 2024.

To the many who have reserved this much-anticipated book, we can say that, of course, this unforeseen delay is unfortunate, and we deeply regret it – but we hope for your understanding! One thing is sure: This will probably be the most comprehensive scientific book covering this subject.

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