Maiken Bjørkan becomes Researcher 1

Researcher 1 Maiken Bjørkan. Photo: Allan Berg

Researcher 1 is the research institutes' answer to the professor title and is held in very high regard.

An interdisciplinary committee consisting of experts from Møre Research, Aalborg University and NTNU is in no doubt: Maiken Bjørkan meets all criteria to qualify as Researcher 1. 

Bjørkan has followed Nordlandsforsking's career path. She has been given time for publication work, been assigned her own mentor and has been given the opportunity to develop in areas that have been important for her application for a competency promotion. The scheme has worked well.

– I have always researched what I want to research and not thought much about a career, but through Nordland Research's program I have learned to think a little more strategically, says Bjørkan.

– Now I am very happy. It is very good to receive recognition for the work I have done over many years.

International network

Managing Director of Nordland Research Institute , Iselin Marstrander, is not surprised by the committee's conclusion.

“This is so deserved,” she says.

– Maiken works purposefully to further develop herself. She is constantly taking on greater responsibility in projects, participates in national and international working groups and committees, is genuinely passionate about her field and has a significant network.

The committee has emphasized Bjørkan's extensive project work and numerous scientific publications of high quality, both nationally and internationally. 

– Here in Norway we are not that concerned with titles, but internationally such things are important and being Researcher 1 gives an authority that can open new doors, says Bjørkan. 

Want colleagues

Maiken Bjørkan has worked with sustainability in resource management, especially in the blue sector, throughout her career. She has put a lot of work into scientific articles, but she is also not afraid to dress up in oil suits and set sail. 

– I have been doing a lot of fieldwork and enjoy following fishermen at work, says Bjørkan, who is currently Nordlandsforskning's only employee at Mo. Director Marstrander hopes that can change soon.

– Maiken has infectious commitment, is genuinely professionally interested and a driving force for development. We have vacancies in Mo together with Maiken and hope we can recruit matching colleagues for her in the future, she says.