Why I am running for election:
I am running for election because we are witnessing developments both nationally and internationally where the value of research is being challenged, and it has never been more important to uphold academic freedom and diversity in both educational offerings and research fields. I am a PhD candidate conducting research on migration and forced displacement. Combined with teaching experience and work experience outside academia, I have a broad perspective on the university’s role in challenging times – while also sharing the concerns about the future prospects of researchers in temporary positions. I aim to balance these perspectives – the university’s strategic choices and the uncertainty surrounding job opportunities – in my work on the university board.
Three key issues for me:
Recruitment
Temporarily employed researchers are concerned about their future prospects in academia. At the same time, the government has proposed allocating NOK 100 million for international researcher recruitment. I am concerned that this could come at the expense of job opportunities for PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and other academic staff. We must work to retain and further develop local and national expertise, while also exploring opportunities in international recruitment – from the United States, but also from the many other countries where academic freedom is currently, and has long been, under pressure.
Interdisciplinary collaboration
We are naturally focused on our own research – as we should be – but we are also driven forward through collaboration. Cooperation, both within research environments and across departments and faculties, fosters innovative research but it also plays a key role in combating dropout and dissatisfaction among PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. I want to see more investment in, and visibility of, the synergies between different research environments.
Academic boycott of Israel
Although the University of Agder has expressed solidarity with Palestinians and condemned the war on the Gaza Strip, I want us to go further in implementing an academic boycott of Israel. The genocide taking place in Palestinian territories is unparalleled, and as a university, we have a responsibility to take the clearest possible stance against Israeli institutions.
What qualities do I bring?
I value collaboration and overall well-being and have established a broad network across departments and faculties, which gives me confidence that I can effectively represent temporary staff. Previous work experience, including with the Red Cross, has given me a strong foundation for creating constructive dialogue and opportunities for cooperation, even when there are disagreements. I am furthermore a skilled communicator and am, among other things, one of two PhD candidates who run the podcast Litteraturens mønstre.
Education:
- 2016–2018: MA in English, Department of Foreign Languages and Translation, University of Agder
- 2018–2021: Individual courses, Faculty of Humanities and School of Business and Law, University of Agder
- 2013–2016: Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, University of Edinburgh
- 2013: Spanish and Latin American Literature, University of Southeastern Norway
Work Experience:
- 2022–present: PhD Candidate, University of Agder
- 2019–2022: Advisor, Agder Red Cross
- 2018-2019: Lecturer, University of Agder
- 2018–2019: Lecturer, Kvadraturen Upper Secondary School
- 2018–2019: Freelancer, United Nations Association of Norway
Board Experience:
- 2025–: Board Member, Agder Red Cross
- 2024–: Representative for Temporary Staff, Department Council, Department of Foreign Languages and Translation, University of Agder