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The science of the future is multi-disciplinary, international, independent, and provides the premises for public, democratic debate. The scientist of the future is the student, Ph. D., and postdoc of today. If this science is to take place at the UoB, we must start work today. That is why I am running as a candidate for the University Board.

Universities are important bulwarks against totalitarianism and autocracy. Attempts by governments to increase political control over curricula – including in Norway – are therefore cause for concern. Free and independent universities are crucial for free and independent research. UoB must resist political control over curricula, and champion the freedom of research – both domestically and internationally. Any attack on academic freedom is an attack at the democratic foundations of society. We cannot go gentle into that good night.

In an age of rampant disinformation, it is more important than ever that the UoB provides the premises for public debate and decision-making. While it is possible to produce information outside of the ivory tower, the UoB – as a leading Norwegian university – is uniquely situated to provide not only information, but also context. Such context is crucial when information is to be transformed into knowledge – and action. It should therefore be clarified that science communication is a core task for our researchers, on par with research and teaching. While there are many excellent science communicators at the UoB already, communication skills will only grow more important in future. If the UoB is to provide the premises for public decision-making in future, our researchers must be provided the tools for effectively communicating their research to the public.

Contextual knowledge is best produced through multi-disciplinary research. While we have many good examples of such research at the UoB already, we need more. Cross-disciplinary research must not only be a feature of large, externally funded research projects, but should increasingly become part of day-to-day research. As more and more regional colleges across Norway gain university status, the UoB must leverage our disciplinary breadth if we wish to stand out. There are presently few incentives for our faculties to spend money on cross-faculty cooperation, leading to a risk that the UoB becomes more of a confederacy of faculties than a genuine university. We need further economic incentives for cross-faculty cooperation, but also for international cooperation – at every level. The best science is border-crossing, and the UoB needs to be an attractive destination for international students and researchers.

Attracting the leading researchers of the future – regardless of national origin – starts today. It is therefore saddening that career opportunities at the UoB seem to be drying up. Several of my colleagues – close friends and academic role-models – struggle finding permanent positions and are forced to look elsewhere for employment. The UoB is not immune to the financial pressures of the day, and difficult economic decisions must be made. But failing to provide career opportunities for young researchers – missing out on the brightest scientific minds of the future – is not something we can afford.