Nordland Research Institute receives 33 million from the Research Council

Managing Director of Nordland Research Institute , André Wallann Larsen, is very pleased with the award from the Research Council. Photo: Marta Anna Løvberg

Nordland Research Institute has received a total of NOK 33 million in funding for three new projects from the Research Council.

The Research Council only funds the best research and innovation projects, assessed by international experts. The competition for funding is fierce. With just over 40 employees, Nordland Research Institute a small player in the research world – and the only social science institute in Norway with both ownership and headquarters in the north. 

– The fact that we are leading three projects with a total funding of NOK 33 million is a very strong result. In addition, we participate as a partner in four other projects, with a share of another 10 million, says Wallann Larsen. 

– This shows the high quality and expertise at the institute, which in a national context competes with much larger research environments, says Director André Wallann Larsen.

Area under pressure 

Under the theme area "Area under pressure" two out of nine projects went to Nordland Research Institute – a clear signal about the institute's relevance and position in the national research context. 

The three projects Nordland Research Institute leader, covers various societal challenges: 

• Youth Outside work and education – Understanding Traits and Hurdles (YOUTH): Will provide more precise knowledge about youth outside work, who is affected, and which risk factors are most important.

• The power and roles of visual representations in land conflicts in Norway (VISUALS): Investigates how visual representations and maps influence the understanding of land conflicts and legitimize decisions.

• UrgentMine: Will study the effect of the increasing need for minerals for the green shift in Europe in three selected mining fields in Norway. 

Promise for research in the North 

Nord University has also done well in this round of the Research Council with three projects. 

– It is gratifying that several environments in Nordland are succeeding. Overall, this is a boost for research in the north and shows that we have strong academic environments in a number of areas, says Wallann Larsen.