Partners
The purpose of the IQP is for students to better understand the impacts of technology and policies on relevant stakeholders; most projects involve students analyzing how various groups will be affected by the implementation of a particular technological system, or working with local stakeholders to determine an appropriate solution to a particular problem. During these projects, students receive a valuable educational and cultural experience while their project partner can receive additional assistance on a project that they do not have the time or resources to tackle themselves. We are always looking for new project partners – interested parties can contact the Site Director using the contact menu above. Some of our past project partners include:
Citizens Foundation
Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Reykjavík since 2008. Their mission is to bring people together to debate and prioritize innovative ideas to improve their communities. The Citizens Foundation was founded in the aftermath of the Iceland’s economic and trust collapse in 2008. Their Better Reykjavik platform has received a great deal of recognition, including winning the European award in the e-Democracy Awards as well as several local awards in 2011 and 2012. In 2015 a forum of the mayors of the Nordic capitals awarded the Better Neighborhoods project in Reykjavík with the Nordic Best Practice 2015 award. In 2016 Better Reykjavik was selected on the NT100 list of key social innovations. Students work at the office in Reykjavík, down the street from one of the best pizzerias in Europe (Eldsmiðjan).
Strætó bs
Strætó bs is responsible for bus services throughout Iceland. The first interaction with Icelandic culture, for many visitors, occurs on the bright yellow buses traveling between Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík. Strætó is owned and operated by the six municipalities that make up the capital area (Reykjavík, Kopavogur, Garðabær, Hafnarfjörður, Mosfellsbær and Seltjarnarnes). “Strætó” is the name that most Icelanders now use to refer to a bus of any type, although the original word is more closely translated as “street wagon”! Our students work at the main office above the Mjódd bus terminal in Reykjavík.
Kópavogur Culture Houses
The Culture Houses of Kópavogur include The Gerðarsafn, the Kópavogur Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Kópavogur Public Library, Salurinn Concert Hall, and the Kópavogur Archives. The goal of the Culture Houses is to provide more interdisciplinary programs involving music and natural sciences to community members young and old. Moreover, there is a large multicultural community in the area, and the Culture Houses aim to help them integrate into the Icelandic community. Every Wednesday, the Culture Houses hosts free cultural events for the community.
Visit Reykjavík
Visit Reykjavík is the marketing office for the greater Reykjavík area, working closely with all the surrounding municipalities in promoting the area as a destination. They have a strong presence on various social media platforms, and also focus on strengthening cooperation between Icelandic authorities and foreign embassies in Iceland. A variety of tourist information centers around Iceland are organized by this group. Students work in the Visit Reykjavík offices in City Hall.