A clear voice for temporary employees and minority groups

Why do you run for election?

– I want to run for election to be a clear voice for temporary employees and various minority groups at UiA.

What are the three most important issues you want to address if you are elected to the University Board?

1. A high number of temporary positions in higher education is an equality issue. I want to follow up the recently approved plan for equality, inclusion and diversity at UiA to increase the recruitment of minorities which are underrepresented both in management positions and in permanent academic and administrative posts at UiA.
2. I want to ensure equal treatment and follow-up of temporary academic employees. Many PhD and postdoc research fellows report that they miss a closer follow-up from the management in relation to the coronavirus situation. International employees were at a disadvantage compared to Norwegian colleagues when applying for contract  extensions (see the UiAdoc-report here). I want to push for all temporary employees to be better integrated into the academic and collegial community at UiA.
3. The use of temporary employment is widespread in the sector and undermines many researchers’ career path towards permanent employment. I want to push for postdoctoral positions at UiA not to be used as cheap, temporary labour. Postdoctoral positions should be followed up in line with employment legislation, and the employment of a postdoctoral research fellow should signal that the institution views the relevant research field as a focus area requiring recruitment.

What qualities/skills do you have that will make your colleagues vote for you?

– I have long been involved with equality and diversity issues and have experience as a temporary employee and previous board experience from a college. If I am elected to the board, I will use every opportunity to promote the interests of temporary employees and minorities to the board and the university management.

– I am a sociologist of religion and am currently working on a research project on the inclusion of adolescents and young adults who are not in employment, education or training, and the development of a further education course at UiA on inclusive practices.

Education:

• 2019 PhD in Sociology of Religion - Department of Religion, Philosophy and History, UiA
• 2010 Master of Religion, Society and Global Issues - MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society - Specialised University in Oslo

Work experience:

• 2020 -: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Development of further education course on inclusive practices and researcher on the inclusion of adolescents and young adults who are not in employment or education, UiA
• 2019 -: Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies, NLA Gimlekollen
• 2016 - 2019-06 PhD Research Fellow, UiA

Board experience:

• Board member at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
• Tribunal member of the Immigration Appeals Board