The title of the Arctic Frontiers 2021 conference is Building Bridges. This is in recognition of the strength that is gained by safeguarding the Arctic as a region of peace and global example of cooperation in an age of growing tensions and world-wide uncertainty. It also represents the need for open, honest discussions on difficult topics to ensure that polarization of positions do not create further isolation for societies and degradation of business opportunities. The AE-Bergen Hub is an associated partner.
The Arctic Frontier 2021 – Building Bridges Plenary program will bring together decision makers, indigenous leaders, business and youth representative to discuss the most pressing issues facing the Arctic.
February 5, 2020. 18:00-19:00. Teglverket, The Academic Quarter (Kvarteret), Olav Kyrres gate 49.
Fish to Mars is a unique collaboration, where true science meets true Norwegian metal with the goal of making an entire opera.
Metal music and marine research are inserted into the original story by author Peter Watts, the sci-fi writer known for keeping the underlying research correct.
This performance is part of Day Zero of the SDG conference and is open to all.
February 5, 2020. 13:00-14:30. Egget (The Egg), Studentsenteret, Parkveien 1, Bergen, Norway.
Oceans cover 70% of the Earths’ surface, produce over 50% of the world’s oxygen, regulate our weather and climate patterns, and provides energy, food, medicine, and recreation. However, this invaluable shared resource is under threat due to human-induced ocean warming and acidification, expansion of oceanic dead zones, and unsustainable fishing. Safeguarding our common ocean for future generations is a shared responsibility and a matter of global urgency.
January 28, 2020. 16:00. Arbeidskontoret room, Clarion Hotel the Edge, Tromsö, Norway
The AE Bergen Knowledge Hub, an associated partner of Artic Frontiers, is organizing a Poster presentation at the Arctic Frontiers Science Poster – Knowledge-based development in the Arctic:
Making sense of science for policy under conditions of complexity and uncertainty – MASOS
January 27, 2020. 18:15 – 19:15. Clarion Hotel the Edge, Tromsö, Norway.
Starting from 2020, Academia Europaea Bergen Knowledge Hub is an associated partner of Arctic Frontiers.
In this event we will bring together a panel with experience from science advice, policy making and NGOs. Are there sufficient mechanisms available in Norway and other countries to ensure that political decisions are based on the best available and independent scientific knowledge? What are the specific needs in an Arctic context? The panel will debate challenges and knowledge gaps relevant to the radical changes needed in order to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and what systems need to be in place for policy to be anchored in scientific evidence and scientific thinking.
January 16-18, 2020. Covent Garden, 25th floor auditorium, London, also streamed online.
The seminar will bring together researchers supported by the European Research Council (ERC) and the Research Executive Agency (REA). The event will provide a forum for exchange between EC-funded researchers, interested stakeholders and EU staff on the role of science in and for diplomacy.
The Norwegian Church, located in Cardiff Bay, celebrated it’s 150th Anniversary on Sunday 15th December. AE Cardiff supported this special commemorative event.
The Programme
The programme included:
a church service with a reprisal of the first sermon given at the Norwegian Church 150 years ago
a series of talks supported by the University of Bergen, Cardiff University, Hordaland Council and the Welsh Norwegian Society including the Roald Dahl story and the ancient links between languages
a concert with performances from visiting Norwegian musicians Eir Inderhaug, Stian Okland and Marina Kan Selvik
November 4, 2019, 11.30–16.00. The House of Literature, Wergelandsveien 29, 0167 Oslo.
Evidence-informed policy: a Norwegian perspective
A seminar hosted by Academia Europaea Bergen Hub assesses the findings of the SAPEA report ‘Making sense of science for policy’ and reflects on what insights might be applied to science advice in Norway
Prof Eystein Jansen, Director of the AE Bergen Hub, welcomes all to the seminar
The seminar was designed around two linked sessions, one focused on the European dimension of evidence-informed policy and the second examining Norwegian policymaking.
Professor Eystein Jansen, Director of the Bergen Hub, welcomed everyone to the seminar and emphasised the timeliness of the topic under discussion. Professor Ole Petersen, Director of the Cardiff Hub (which coordinated the SAPEA report) gave an introduction to the European Science Advice Mechanism and the role played by academies within it.
Session 1: ‘Making sense of science for policy’ Evidence Review Report
Professor Jeroen van der Sluijs (Bergen), a member of the SAPEA Working Group, presented the key findings of the SAPEA report, with a thought-provoking response provided by Professor Silvio Funtowicz (Bergen) and a lively debate with the audience, with skilful moderation by Professor Matthias Kaiser (Bergen).
Please see the article published in Forskningspolitikk: https://www.fpol.no/gviken/
Themes that came up included:
The issue of bias and the underrepresentation of certain social groups within science
The role of the humanities in evidence-informed policymaking
The potential for including different types of knowledge and extended peer communities in science advice
An interesting case study came from Finland, which is trialling a new approach to science advice, drawing on insights from the European Commission’s Science Advice Mechanism. Professor Risto Nieminen, President of the Finnish Academy, spoke of the contribution that could be made by academies to the design and operation of such a system.
Professors Ole Petersen, Jeroen van der Sluijs, Risto Nieminen and Silvio Funtowicz during the panel discussion in session 1
Session 2: Science advice in Norway
The second half of the seminar put science advice in Norway under the spotlight. Professor Oystein Hov (Norwegian Academy) gave several examples of success and failure of science advice in Norway. Kyrre Lekve (Simula) spoke of two contrasting relationships experienced by science advisers, one with civil servants, the other with politicians.
The closing discussion between the panel and the audience, also moderated by Matthias Kaiser, gave rise to further reflections on science advice in Norway. They included:
The use and potential misuse of scientific knowledge in the context of policymaking
Look out for a full report on the seminar, to be published in the coming weeks.
Prof Oystein Hov, Prof Torbjørn Digernes, Kyrre Lekve and Prof Matthias Kaiser during the panel discussion in session 211th November 2019. For further information please contact Louise Edwards, Knowledge Hub Manager EdwardsL31@cardiff.ac.uk
Saturday 12 October, 11.30-12.15. Viðey, Harpa Second Level, Reykjavik, Iceland
Organized by University of Bergen, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research & Academia Europaea Bergen Knowledge hub.
SPEAKERS
Eystein Jansen, Professor, University of Bergen/Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research: Are Ongoing Climate Change in the Arctic Abrupt in the Perspective of Past Abrupt Changes?
Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen, Professor, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen: What are the Expected Future Changes in Arctic and Greenland Climates in the Future Due to Continued Manmade Climate Forcing
Eystein Jansen/Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen: How Vulnerable is the Greenland Ice Sheet?
