Helene Stuart
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I work as a head engineer at the laboratory animal facility, which is a core facility for research at the department of clinical medicine (K1) at the faculty of medicine. Since my employment in 2013, I have collaborated with a wide range of researchers, technicians, and students both internally and externally.
In 2021 I was elected as a union representative, and since 2022, I have been partially released from my position to work on union representative tasks on behalf of the main federation Akademikerne at UiB. This role involves participation in forhandlingsutvalget as one of three Akademiker representatives, together with the university leadership and the representatives from the other federations, disussing and negotiating matters of interest to the members.
I have also participated in a number of working groups and committees of various kinds, which has given me a broad understanding of the institution's structure and requirements.
My goal as a candidate for the university board is to ensure that technical and administrative staff feel seen and heard in the university democracy. We are facing a time of further budget restrictions where many experience increased workloads and cuts in benefits. It is crucial to take care of technical and administrative staff as essential support functions in teaching and research, and to ensure that their expertise is maintained to meet future demands. I am committed to finding a balance to ensure good and long-term working conditions.
In addition, it is important to focus on economic restructuring to protect our workplace and the university's reputation. By managing the university's finances responsibly, we can ensure competitiveness for research funds, projects, and students. This will help maintain and strengthen our position as a leading educational and research institution.
Furthermore, we live in a time where academic freedom is under pressure globally. It is more important than ever to protect our values, democracy, and freedom of expression. I want to contribute to strengthening and preserving these principles at UiB.
I hope for your support to work for a good and inclusive future at the University of Bergen.
