The mentor programme is administered by USN's strategic research areas and couples 15 researchers who are early in their careers with a mentor.
This week they gathered at Bergseminaret in Kongsberg to begin a year focused on building networks, developing project applications – and finding time to work on their research in a packed schedule.
– We need to strengthen the research culture at USN. That means thinking anew and building structures from the ground up, says Thomas Brekke, who leads USN's strategic research area for regional value creation and also led the mentor pilot that was tested for the first time last year.
The experience demonstrated a significant need for the initiative and a positive impact on participants.
– The researcher role has changed significantly in recent years. It is important to build research teams and think interdisciplinarily, says Brekke.
The mentor programme is well set up, with representatives from all faculties. There are also some external mentors.
READ ALSO: The call for applications Apply for the mentor programme – boost your research career
– Collaboration means everything
At the gathering in Kongsberg, the participants were split into groups to talk about what they want to achieve with their research, and how they are going to get there. There were also presentations and panel discussions to highlight the value of passing on knowledge and working together.
– Collaboration is everything, the mentors Solfrid Bratland-Sanda and Nils Asle Bergsgard agreed together with mentee Karianne Nyheim Stray.
The three answered Thomas Brekke's questions about how much collaboration means for research.
– The single genius researcher who works entirely alone probably exists, but the remaining 99 per cent must be part of a community. That is where you become strong, says Nils Asle Bergsgard.
– It is wise to choose the right supervisors and collaborators. Those who want the best for the community and the project. We must be open to learning from one another and creating safe environments that allow us to grow as a group, says Solfrid Bratland-Sanda, who is a professor of sports science.
She is mentor to Carina Vedeler, who, with her doctorate in midwifery, belongs to another faculty.
Creates regional momentum
Interdisciplinary collaboration is also a key element in USN's strategic research areas. The priority areas have been established to ensure that researchers across academic environments, faculties and campuses can join forces and develop strong projects that address major societal challenges.
This is also clearly reflected in the draft of the university's new strategy.
– How do you become a regional driving force? Then you must dare to take a role and help shape things, contribute knowledge that moves us forward. You have been handpicked to build capacity and expertise to solve societal challenges, research director Thomas Slagsvold tells the participants in his introduction for the day.
New requirements for promotion to professor also place greater emphasis on the 'impact' of research: how we actively use our own research for the benefit of society, the individual and the organisation.
The burden on the new researchers is no small one. Fortunately, they will get help. Until June, they will have regular meetings with their mentors and create momentum and direction for their research careers.
Here are all the mentor pairs
Democracy, social organisation and governance
- Anniken Hotvedt Sundby, EDU, Vestfold, pedagogy. Mentor: Monika Bærøe Nerland (UiO)
- Laura Ellestad, HIU, Rauland, traditional art and folk music. Mentor: Thomas Richard Hilder (NTNU)
Growing up, belonging and coping with life
- Trine Foyn, HIU, Drammen, mathematics education. Mentor: Halla Björk Holmarsdottir (OsloMet)
- Lars Bauger, HS, Vestfold, health and sport science. Mentor: Ottar Ness (NTNU)
- Ingelill Eide, HS, Porsgrunn, child welfare education and music therapy. Mentor: Nils Asle Bergsgard
Future health and welfare services
- Karianne Nyheim Stray, HS, Vestfold, welfare state, exclusion, inclusion. Mentor: Hilde Thygesen
- Linda Wike Ljungblad, HS, Vestfold, midwifery. Mentor: Monika Ravik
- Carina Vedeler, HS, Vestfold, midwifery. Mentor: Solfrid Bratland-Sanda
- Ann-Helen Torstveit, HS, Vestfold, cancer nursing. Mentor: Lena Heyn
Energy, climate and environment
- Gaurav Mirlekar, TNM, Porsgrunn, carbon capture technology, energy systems, process control. Mentor: Lars Erik Øi
- Kim Robert Gustavsen, TNM, Vestfold, applied micro- and nanosystems. Mentor: Kaiying Wang
- Lærke Stewart, TNM, Bø. Mentor: Jorunn Spord Borgen
- Charlotte Haugland Sundkvist, HH, Kongsberg, accounting, auditing and business economics. Mentor: Thomas Brekke / Ziaul Munim
- Katerina Mangaroska, HH, Vestfold, IT management. Mentor: Eiri Elvestad
- Håkon Osland Sandvik, HH, Vestfold, innovation and entrepreneurship. Mentor: Bård Tronvoll (University of Inland Norway)
0 Comments
You must be logged in to comment.