Recruiting a research leader from within its own ranks

New research leader. Fredrik Langeland has been appointed as the new research leader for welfare and working life in Nordland Research Institute Photo: Nordland Research Institute

Nordland Research Institute has hired a new research manager for welfare and working life. The choice fell on Fredrik Langeland, who will now lead the work to further develop one of the institute's central areas of expertise.

– We are very pleased to have hired Fredrik as research manager for welfare and working life. He is a professionally strong and experienced researcher who knows Nordland Research Institute good, both as an institution and as a research environment, says CEO André Wallann Larsen.

Fredrik has a background in research on gender, equality and welfare, and has worked on both commissioned research and larger research projects funded by the Research Council of Norway.

“He combines solid methodological expertise with a good understanding of the public sector and our clients. This is an important strength in a role that is both about professional development and strategic priorities,” says Larsen.

He also points out that experience from the research ethics committee and as an employee representative on the board provides a good starting point for the leadership role.

– With Fredrik, we get a leader with high professional integrity and good organizational understanding. This strengthens both the academic community and the institute as a whole, says Larsen.

Will further develop the professional environment

Fredrik Langeland knows the institute well from before, and started at the Bodø office in 2021.

Today he works from the newly established Oslo office, and he is looking forward to taking on the new role.

– I myself have a background in research on gender and equality and in the welfare field for many years. Nordland Research Institute is an environment I know well, and to which I have a strong professional connection, he says.

When the opportunity to step into a leadership role arose, it was a natural choice.

– I experienced this as an exciting opportunity to contribute to further developing the professional community in welfare and working life, he says.

Focus on collaboration and innovation

As research leader, he will be responsible for both professional development and further development of the project portfolio.

– Some of the most important tasks going forward will be to develop the already strong professional community we have, and to build good partnerships both nationally and internationally, he says.

He particularly highlights the need for collaboration across disciplines.

– I want to facilitate more interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking in project development. It is often in the meeting between disciplines that the most interesting problems and solutions arise, he says.

Fredrik will take up the position on June 8, taking over for Ragnhild Holme Waldahl, who has held the position until now.