Nordland Research Institute represented in national expert groups

Senior researchers Åge Mariussen, Helga Eggebø, Camilla Risvoll. Photo: Morten Ovesen, Marta Anna Løvberg and Karoline OA Pettersen

Three Researchers from Nordland Research Institute has been invited to join expert and reference groups established by the Research Council of Norway.

Senior researchers Åge Mariussen, Camilla Risvoll and Helga Eggebø all possess the expertise that the Research Council is seeking. 

Mariussen has been appointed as a member of the national reference group for climate, energy and mobility, a collection of experts who will provide input related to Norway's priorities and strategic processes in Horizon Europe. 

Åge Mariussen is a highly experienced business researcher, with expertise in smart specialization and regional business development. 

Camilla Risvoll has been researching reindeer herding, climate adaptation and experiential knowledge for many years. She has now been invited to join a reference group for reindeer herding, which will assist the Research Council in developing a strategy for land-based minerals. 

Helga Eggebø will contribute to an expert group that will help the government develop a cross-sectoral R&D strategy to strengthen the knowledge base for equality, non-discrimination and diversity efforts, with the Research Council as secretariat. 

Eggebø is a renowned researcher in the field of gender equality and was already invited to join the government's gender equality committee as a research fellow (2010-2012). 

An acknowledgement

CEO Iselin Marstrander is very pleased that the Research Council recognizes the expertise at the institute by inviting the researchers to join expert and reference groups. 

– It's great that we have Researchers on Nordland Research Institute who have made their expertise visible nationally and internationally, both through having important projects in their portfolio and communicating results in scientific articles and other media, says Marstrander.

It is also not the first time that Nordland Research Institute has had attractive expertise in the college. 

– Over the years, we have had experts appointed to various committees. For me, this is confirmation that we are addressing important societal issues, and attracting and developing good people. Researchers , says Marstrander. 

The opportunity to influence

Maiken Bjørkan, researcher 1 at Nordland Research Institute , is and has been part of international expert groups working on issues related to Arctic coastal communities. She believes that participation in Researchers from small institutes in the highlands is not only a plus, but absolutely necessary. 

– It is extremely important that we who live and work where the challenges are felt help influence how they are viewed, says Bjørkan.   

– We are the ones who truly understand the challenges and can ask other, relevant questions about the issues we are trying to solve. 

For Bjørkan, the group work has been a valuable experience. 

– I think it's a good idea to prioritize such positions. You get to be where the biggest research names are and participate in the discussions. It's important to be where it's happening and get an overview of what the international research community is concerned about, she says.  

– Nordland Research Institute , which is a small regional research institute, can be proud that we have Researchers who are invited into reference groups and expert groups, and are given the opportunity to influence the research field.