This story began in 2022 as we set off on an unique adventure: the Nanok Expedition, a groundbreaking mission across Greenland that combined physical endurance with scientific discovery. The expedition's goal was threefold: to cross Greenland's icecap from west to east, ski over 550 km along the Arctic Circle, and kayak through a remote 1,000 km stretch along Greenland's east coast, navigating through sea ice and polar bear territory. To top it off, we also opened a new rock-climbing route on one of the major "big walls" in southern Greenland. A sharp, dizzying, vertical granite face hidden deep within the Tasermiut fjord, rising like a forgotten giant in the heart of Greenland’s wilderness.
And that’s right there, while we were suspended on a portaledge high above the Arctic wilderness, that the idea of IMAQA was born, as I joined the adventurers of Nanok, Gilles Denis and Nathan Goffart, to film the climbing segment of their movie. Gilles and I shared a conversation that would change everything.. What began as a reflection on combining our passion for adventure with a commitment to scientific research evolved into a company that today unites explorers, scientists, and communicators under a shared vision.
Credits: IMAQA
The spark behind IMAQA
The Nanok expedition wasn't just about adventure—it was about using human feats to serve science. The expedition included a multidisciplinary team of researchers from ULB, UCLouvain, ULiège, the Royal Observatory of Belgium, and GEUS. Together, they conducted five major scientific experiments over six months, proving that exploration and scientific research can be seamlessly integrated to achieve groundbreaking results.
During the crossing of Greenland, Gilles had time to reflect on various projects, one of which would later become IMAQA. That was on that wall that he first presented the idea to me, and together we began to refine it. The long, lonely evenings in the Arctic gave us time to reflect on this. Upon returning from the mission, we revisited the concept over coffee in Brussels, and it was at that moment that the ideas truly took shape and that everything officially began.
Bridging Exploration and Science for Polar Research
Imagine combining the thrill of exploration with the precision of science—what happens when you venture into the world's most extreme environments with both curiosity and a lab coat?
At IMAQA, we’ve developed a model that bridges the gap between exploration and science. Our expeditions are not just about charting unknown territories or reaching the furthest point; they are meticulously designed with scientific objectives in mind. We combine the physical capabilities of seasoned adventurers with the precision and inquiry of scientists. This allows us to collect data in real-time, often from places that are otherwise inaccessible.
Since its founding, IMAQA has carved a unique niche in the world of polar expeditions by offering training that combines extreme environmental conditions with scientific research. In one such mission in Alaska, IMAQA partnered with UCLouvain to train researchers on how to adapt their equipment and methods for freezing conditions, ensuring that no margin for error compromised the collection of crucial data.
IMAQA’s mission goes beyond data collection, focusing on effectively communicating the significance of polar research to the public. Believing that science should inspire and educate, not remain confined to academic circles, IMAQA uses storytelling, documentaries, interactive content, and educational programs to make their findings accessible and relatable. By highlighting the human experiences behind their expeditions, they aim to engage the public emotionally, encouraging awareness, action, and support for protecting the fragile polar regions.
Education is another pillar of our work. We collaborate with schools and educational institutions to create programs that bring the polar regions to life for students. We believe that by instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity in young people, we can foster the next generation of scientists, explorers, and informed citizens who will continue the work of understanding and protecting our planet.
IMAQA’s approach continues to redefine what’s possible at the intersection of human exploration and scientific inquiry, demonstrating that these two worlds are not only compatible but can thrive together.
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