Join us on the 16th of January for an inspiring seminar on empowering young scholars and their groundbreaking work, bringing together two prestigious prizes and distinguished laureates for a seminar in Oslo. Sign up for the event here.
This event is a collaboration between the Letten Prize and the Holberg Prize, which awards the Nils Klim Prize. Focused on fostering the next generation of researchers, the seminar offers engaging talks, lively discussions and valuable networking opportunities.
Among the speakers are:
- Paula Moraga won the Letten Prize 2023 “For her groundbreaking research ambitions towards early detection of epidemics and designing control strategies worldwide, through the development of innovative and cost-effective disease surveillance systems at finer spatial and temporal scales than currently available”. Moraga will give a greeting at the start of the seminar.
- Cathrine Thorleifsson, the 2023 recipient of The Research Council of Norway’s Award for Excellence in Communication of Science , a distinguished social anthropologist, offers reflections from her research on ethnic identity and globalization.
- John-Andrew McNeish, a professor specializing in natural resource governance and pro-dean for research at the Faculty of Landscape and Society at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, contributes insights from his pioneering work on sustainability and development. McNeish is the scientific director of Empowered Futures: A Global Research School Navigating Low Carbon Energy Transition and Controversy.
- Michael Woods is Professor of Human Geography at Aberystwyth University, UK, specialising in research on the global countryside, spatial justice and disruptive politics. Through projects including ERC Advanced Grants GLOBAL-RURAL and Rural-Spatial-Justice, Horizon-funded DERRG and IMAJINE, and the UKRI WISERD Civil Society Research Centre and Rural Wales Local Policy and Innovation Partnership, he has supervised 26 post-doctoral researchers. As Head of School and in a part-time role as Professor of Transformative Social Science he helped early career colleagues to develop their research capacity. He has contributed to ECR schools and workshops for Regional Studies Association, Learned Society of Wales, ESRS and others; and has experience as a grant panel chair, journal editor, and as a member of the Welsh Government’s Review of Student Finance and Higher Education Funding.
- Siddharth Sareen, 2023 Nils Klim Prize winner, explores critical topics in sustainability, energy justice, and social responsibility, drawing from his expertise as a researcher and public intellectual.
- Bjørn Enge Bertelsen is a professor of social anthropology, University of Bergen and offers some insights on research partnerships and collaborative research from the field of urban studies. Bertelsen is also the Academic Director of the Holberg Prize.
Program highlights include:
A keynote address by twice ERC Advanced Grant awardee Michael Woods sharing experiences in cultivating supportive research environments:
Unlocking the Future: Nurturing and Supporting New Researchers in Uncertain Times
How do we equip new researchers for uncertain times? As the world faces a climate crisis, geopolitical volatility, increasing social and economic polarisation, and new disruptive technologies, the nurturing and development of new generation researchers that will help society to negotiate the future has never been more important. Yet, the environment in which new researchers are starting their careers is also under pressure, with funding cuts, policy changes, political scrutiny and precarious employment. This talk draws on over 25 years’ experience of research leadership and working with new scholars to consider how a supportive research ecosystem for new researchers not only can be sustained, but also refashioned to equip and empower new researchers with the skills and capacities they will need to meet evolving challenges and expectations and to realise their potential to make a difference. It will present lessons for university leaders, senior academics, learned societies, funding bodies and early career researchers themselves.
A panel discussion with Cathrine Thorleifsson and John Andrew McNeish, moderated by Bjørn Enge Bertelsen, the Academic Director of the Holberg Prize, with reflections on the keynote, personal experiences, and advancing research and fostering opportunities in the Nordic region
Ample opportunities for networking and exchanging ideas in an inspiring setting.
Breakfast, lunch and light refreshments will be served during the seminar.
Why attend?
This seminar is the perfect venue for young researchers, experienced academics, and research enthusiasts eager to expand their networks and be inspired by some of the brightest minds in the field. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain insights from award-winning researchers and contribute to advancing research and fostering supportive environments in the Nordics.
Welcome to Kronesalen at Sentralen – where the future of research takes shape!
Programme:
08:15- 08:45 | Breakfast and mingling session
08:45 – 08:55 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Speakers: Chair of the Letten Prize Board and Academic Director of the Holberg Prize
Brief overview of seminar objectives and the significance of nurturing young researchers.
08:55 – 09:00 | Digital greeting from the 2023 Letten Prize laureate, Paula Moraga
09:00 – 09:45 | Keynote Lecture: Unlocking the Future: Nurturing and Supporting New Researchers in Uncertain Times
Speaker: Michael Woods
09:45 – 10:30 | Panel Discussion
Moderator: Prof, Bjørn Enge Bertelsen, Academic Director of the Holberg Prize
Panelists: Keynote speaker Michael Woods, Cathrine Thorleifsson and John-Andrew McNeish.
Focus: Reflections on the keynote, personal experiences, and advancing research in the region, as well as promoting capacity-building and excellent research practices in Norway
10:30 – 10:45 | Audience Q&A
Open floor for participant questions to the keynote and panelists.
10:45 – 11:00 | Closing Remarks
Speakers: Chair of the Holberg Board, Jørgen Sejersted and a representative from the Letten Prize.
11:00 – 12:00 | Networking lunch
