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Knudsen was nominated by Geir Henning Presterudstuen, Christine Jacobsen and Marry-Anne Karlsen. You can find Knudsen's profile .

Opdahl was nominated by Marija Slavkovik. You can find Opdahl's profile .

Muriaas was nominated by Lise Hellebø Rykkja, Arild Farsund, Anne Lise Fimreite, Simon Neby, Jacob Aars, and Hans Peter Andersen. You can find Muriaas' profile .

I am running for election as a representative for Group A on the Faculty Board at the Faculty of Social Sciences because I wish to draw on my broad experience from teaching, research, and leadership at the University of Bergen to help find good solutions to our shared challenges in the years ahead. As a former Vice Dean for Research, I have gained valuable insight into many aspects of the higher education sector and am well acquainted with the University of Bergen.

My core priorities are to make UiB an even more attractive choice for students interested in social science questions, and to work to secure opportunities for early-career researchers in academia. I hope to contribute a long-term and development-oriented perspective to the Faculty Board.

Strømsnes was nominated by Jan Oskar Engevik and Leiv Marsteintredet. You can find Strømsnes' profile

Tutic was nominated by Julian Vedeler Johnsen, Jana B. Belschner, Carlo Koos, Johs. Hjellbrekke and Gunnar Grendstad. You can find Tutic's profile .Ìý

Motivation and goals for the Faculty Board

Having joined UiB in 2022 and being a sociologist from Germany who has also gained experience in the academic systems in Switzerland and the UK, I view the Faculty of Social Sciences both from within and with an enriched outside perspective. My multiparadigmatic approach to social science research – openness towards both theoretical and empirical work as well as qualitative and quantitative methods – provides me with a broad foundation to represent the faculty's diverse academic environments.

I am running for election because I believe the faculty stands at a crossroads where financial stability and a fair as well as inclusive work environment are crucial. In particular, I will contribute towards:

Economic balance and sustainability: We must find the right balance between resources used to attract external funding and resources used to secure the core activities of the faculty's diverse academic environments. While external funding is important, it should not come at the expense of fundamental teaching and research activities that form the foundation of our faculty.

Fair working conditions: I will work for transparent frameworks that ensure good conditions for all employees regardless of department or role. This includes strengthening the autonomy of departments while ensuring fair resource distribution.

Improved integration of international staff: With personal experience as an international employee, I recognize the need for better inclusion of international colleagues in the faculty's academic and social community.

I believe in a faculty built from the ground up, with strong trust in the assessments and needs of our diverse academic communities. My goal is to contribute to a work environment characterized by open, constructive, and inclusive discourse.

I ask for your support to represent group A on the Faculty Board.

Wang was nominated by Tommy Gabrielsen. You can find Wang's profile .

I am 57 years old and hold a degree from the University of Bergen, specializing in Economics, with Adm-Org, and Mathematics/Statistics as supporting subjects. I completed my master's degree in 1994 and my PhD in 2001. Following a period as a Postdoc at the Rokkan Centre (now part of NORCE), I have been permanently employed as an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics since 2007. I have extensive experience in board work, having served many years on the board of my department, as well as several years as a board member of the University Foundation Unifob and as chairman of the University's Property Companies. Currently, I am a union representative in Forskerforbundet at UiB. This role provides valuable insight into university policy issues and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by employees, both at the Faculty of Social Sciences and throughout the organization.

The conditions for higher education and research are constantly evolving. At the Faculty of Social Sciences, we have a long-standing tradition of research and teaching that aligns with societal development and knowledge needs. We are committed to maintaining this tradition, despite the faculty's challenging financial situation. The faculty board will play a central role in this effort, and I believe my academic background as an economist, coupled with my extensive and diverse experience at the faculty, will be beneficial.

On the faculty board, I will work to ensure that all academic environments maintain their core activities, and I am supportive of all external funding that facilitates this. I will advocate for responsible financial management and for openness and transparency in the faculty's decisions and priorities. While I support the recruitment and budget model, it must be adapted to the economic conditions faced by the Faculty of Social Sciences. I believe that academic priorities should originate from the grassroots environments, with the faculty acting as a facilitator to enable these environments to develop their research and teaching in the best possible way. Consequently, I favor elected leaders over appointed ones at all levels within the organization.

Rabia was nominated by Sjoerd Alexander de Winter, Julianna Elisabeth Burrill, Emilie Midtsæter Strønen, Mathea Loen, and Marta Rekdal Eidheim. You can find Rabia's profile .

I am running as a faculty board representative for Group B. As a Swedish researcher at the University of Bergen, I bring a unique perspective – both as a Scandinavian and a foreigner. This dual experience has shown me how difficult it can be for international staff to navigate institutional structures, and how few of us are represented at the faculty or university level. I want to change that.

Key issues I will work to highlight:

• Clearer regulations for temporary staff in externally funded projects – especially regarding supervision, rights, and academic freedom.
• Increased access to equality funding (likestillingsmidler) for parents, so that conference travel and coursework remain accessible.
• Adjustment of operational funding (driftsmidler) in line with inflation, and fairer distribution across departments – basic equipment should not have to be covered by research funds.
• Greater inclusion of research assistants and other temporary staff in departmental life – they often fall outside formal structures and lack support.
• Better conflict resolution mechanisms in projects, especially where the PI is also the supervisor or manager.

I am a PhD fellow at the Department of Government, part of the ERC-funded SUCCESS project. My research focuses on women in politics in Algeria and France, and the strategies they use to navigate male-dominated political spheres. I also recently became a parent, which has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges of balancing academic work and family life. I used to be an elite handball player in Sweden – so I know a thing or two about perseverance.

I want to be a strong voice for both Scandinavian and international temporary staff – especially in a time of financial pressure. Feel free to contact me with thoughts or questions!

Serena.rabia@uib.no

Work number: +47 55 58 26 34

Tønnesen was nominated by Aleksandra Dominka Kas. You can find Tönnesen's profile .

Welat Akman Westrheim was nominated by Marte Samuelsen, Alexander Verdoes, Idunn Nørbech and Arnt Bastian Mjærum. You can find Westrheim's profile .Ìý

My name is Welat Akman Westrheim, PhD candidate at the Department of Comparative Politics. I am running for re-election as the representative for temporary academic staff (Group B) on the Faculty Board at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Over the past year, I have actively worked on the board to safeguard the interests of Group B during a period of financial constraints. The results of this effort are now beginning to show.

There are three key issues I have worked on:

1. Following the hiring freeze in 2025, there will again be opportunities for new recruitment from 2026 onward (see ).ÌýThe figures indicate that around six new recruitment positions may be filled in 2026, with further growth in the coming years. This is great news for those seeking PhD positions, postdoctoral fellowships, or transitions from temporary to permanent academic positions.
2. As a board member, I actively contributed to ensuring that funding for fieldwork and stays abroad - initially proposed to be cut - was maintained (se case 80/24).
3. In February 2025, I organized a meeting with the Faculty Director and the Dean to address the financial situation for Group B.ÌýAs a representative, I aim to continue following up on relevant issues in open forums.

I am seeking re-election to ensure continuity and predictability for Group B

With a new faculty leadership incoming, it is especially important to maintain continuity in defending the interests of Group B. The faculty’s cost-saving plan should not be solely about cuts, but must also support the development of core activities, research, and research infrastructure.

It is also crucial to ensure continued recruitment of talented individuals from Group B.ÌýTherefore, I want to help ensure that decisions made by the outgoing Faculty Board are followed up by the new one, and that new budget cuts do not affect Group B.

As a representative, I will continue to be a clear, attentive, and responsible voice for our interests on the Faculty Board.

Best regards,
Welat Akman Westrheim

Eide was nominated by Kurt Gjerde. You can find Eide's profile .

Ellefsen was nominated by Cathrine Bustad Jensen, Irene Nesfossen, Kristen Steiner, Marthe Kalleklev, og Thea Tufte. You can find Ellefsen's profile .

Haaland was nominated by Terje Thue. You can find Haaland's profile .

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