Arctic Narrative Lab
The Arctic Narrative Lab is an independent initiative dedicated to empowering Arctic and near-Arctic communities to shape how they are seen, heard and understood on the world stage. Founded and directed by Katie Merx, the Lab operates at the intersection of storytelling, diplomacy and geopolitics — helping northern nations and Indigenous communities assert sovereignty, build resilience and influence global perceptions in an era of climate disruption and great power competition.
Katie Merx is a recognized leader in government communications and narrative diplomacy. A 2025 United Nations Global Diplomacy Fellow, she has spoken at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the role of storytelling in diplomacy and addressed the International Government Communications Forum in Sharjah, UAE as a communications innovator and strategist. She has been cited by global media outlets as an authority on narrative diplomacy, drawing on her career as both a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and a Cicero Award–winning speechwriter. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in global diplomacy with a focus on Arctic issues.
Her influence extends across leading international forums. Katie participates in the Reykjavik Global Forum, the Arctic Circle Assembly and the Polar Dialogue where she engages heads of state, diplomats and scholars on the future of the Arctic.
The Lab’s work spans strategy, partnerships, programming and policy research, including:
- Narrative strategy frameworks that support community-led storytelling and sovereign identity
- Partnerships with filmmakers, creatives and cultural institutions to amplify Arctic voices in global media
- Trainings for local leaders in public diplomacy, crisis communications and narrative defense
- Research and insights on climate security, soft power and media representation
- Cross-sector convenings of Indigenous leaders, diplomats, journalists and scholars
At its core, the Arctic Narrative Lab equips Arctic and near-Arctic communities with the tools and alliances they need to influence global conversations — and ensures the world listens when they do.