"I was appointed because UiA is looking for an academic director who can integrate the centre more closely with the research and teaching taking place at the university. I will work to ensure that our partners benefit from the centre’s contribution to solving practical challenges as part of a unified research environment"
Those are the words of Lee Michael Shults, the new director of the Centre for Gender and Equality at UiA.
In 2025, the University Board decided that the centre, which had previously been led by staff in administrative roles, should henceforth be led by someone in an academic position.
The leadership team is now in place. Shults took up his post as director just before the summer holidays, whilst Adriana Ruiz joined as his administrative assistant earlier this year.
According to the mandate from UiA, the new director is to coordinate research, dissemination and contract work. This work is to be carried out in close collaboration with academic communities at the university and with partners in the region and nationally.
Concerned about developments in gender and equality
Lee Michael Shults is an associate professor at UiA and conducts research into solidarity, gender and the philosophy of science. He also coordinates the ‘Gender, Power and Diversity’ study programme.
He is now ready to roll up his sleeves. Shults highlights a trend that worries many: increasing polarisation, particularly amongst young people.
“One of the most important tasks will be to create space for discussing polarising issues. I am very keen to promote a gender equality policy that recognises that gender equality can mean many different things. Part of the work on gender equality involves taking seriously those who feel that gender equality has gone too far,” he says.
Bringing Agder together
Where does Shults want the centre to be in five years’ time? His answer reflects a clear leadership philosophy:
"I want the centre to be known for bringing the region together. But bringing people together does not necessarily mean everyone has to agree", he says.
Under Shults’ leadership, the centre will strike a balance between research, its social mission and collaboration with both the business community and the public sector.
“The research projects in which the Centre for Gender and Equality participates must be linked to the challenges that people in the region experience in their everyday lives. In addition, the centre plays an important role in research dissemination. Various organisations commission courses or lectures from our staff that are directly linked to the topics they are interested in,” he says.
Focusing on the field of violence
Shults has been joined by Adriana Ruiz. Her role involves far more than just administration.
"Management support will cover everything from finance and event planning to project follow-up. “In addition, I’ll be working on developing a new area of expertise for the centre. Violence in close relationships, violence against women and honour-related violence will also form part of my work,” she says.
Ruiz brings a wealth of experience to the role, gained from, amongst other things, the Human Resources and Organisation Department at UiA. She has also worked as an adviser on gender equality in the workplace for Agder County Council, and as a local politician for the Kristiansand Labour Party.
She believes that strong leadership support can be crucial in ensuring the centre has a greater impact on partners and decision-makers.
“It’s about having a good overview of opportunities, whilst maintaining a constructive and ongoing dialogue with my talented colleagues. As well as working strategically and faithfully to fulfil our mandate from our main funders, Bufdir and UiA,” says Ruiz.
Her enthusiasm is unmistakable when she describes what she is most looking forward to.
"I’ve come to the right place and am working for gender equality alongside a group of extremely talented and committed people. That’s something that gives me a great deal of joy and motivation."
"A unique opportunity"
The Centre for Gender and Equality is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UiA, and is the only gender equality centre in Norway hosted by a university.
“It is precisely this that provides a unique opportunity to forge close links with research and researchers. UiA has a number of researchers working on topics relevant to the centre, who can contribute both capacity and insight,” says Leif Skiftenes Flak, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Flak emphasises that the centre has already delivered good results over time, and that the new director is no stranger to the role.
"And there is clearly an expectation that the centre will find ways to capitalise on its proximity to researchers and research environments here at UiA. I am confident that this will open up many exciting opportunities in the time ahead", he says.
Facts: Centre for Gender and Equality
The Centre for Gender and Equality was established in 2008 and is a centre of expertise on gender equality, diversity and inclusion based at the University of Agder (UiA).
The centre comprises seven permanent staff members as well as staff in project-based roles. They provide courses, advice and research-based knowledge to public and private organisations and voluntary organisations. The centre’s work is also grounded in the grounds for discrimination set out in Norwegian law.
Shults is the centre’s second academic director. The first was Professor Ulla-Britt Lilleaas, who led the centre from its establishment in 2009. In the period following Lilleaas’s tenure, the centre was managed administratively, before UiA decided to reintroduce the post of academic director.