We are standing for election because we believe in the humanities. The Faculty is a remarkable place to work, where the country’s leading humanities scholars meet the humanists of tomorrow.
At the same time, we are fully aware that the Faculty faces a number of major challenges in the years ahead. We live in an uncertain and changing world in which new knowledge needs continually arise. Demographic and technological changes will impose new requirements on us as an institution and will simultaneously alter the Faculty’s economic framework conditions. Meeting these challenges will demand experience, energy and determination – qualities that we possess.
The Dean Team
Our dean team consists of Christine Meklenborg Nilsen, Aasta Marie Bjorvand Bjørkøy and John McNicol. We know both the Faculty and its departments very well. Together we have extensive experience in education, research, dissemination and leadership. We will work to ensure that the humanities subjects and their values are strengthened both within and beyond the University. We intend to lead through collaboration across staff categories and departments. We are team players.
Christine Meklenborg Nilsen – Candidate for Dean
Christine Meklenborg Nilsen is our candidate for dean. She is Professor of French linguistics and Head of the Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages (ILOS). Previously she has been a student, doctoral fellow, board member, postdoctoral fellow and researcher at the Faculty of Humanities, and she therefore knows the Faculty from many different perspectives. Christine has been involved in university politics since she began studying. As a student she chaired the Norwegian Student Union, and she has a broad and strong network both within the University and in the Norwegian political environment. As head of department she has distinguished herself as an outspoken advocate for foreign languages and has built networks nationally and internationally. She now wishes to use this engagement for the benefit of the entire Faculty of Humanities.
Aasta Marie Bjorvand Bjørkøy – Candidate for Pro-Dean for Research
Aasta Marie Bjorvand Bjørkøy is our candidate for pro-dean for research. She is Professor of Nordic literature and Head of the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies (ILN), where she has previously served as Director of Research. Aasta has been employed at the Faculty of Humanities since 2004, initially in various temporary positions for thirteen years. As a leader she has been particularly concerned that all staff groups should thrive at work, so that everyone can contribute to ensuring that we remain at the forefront of research and education.
Research is a prerequisite for all academic activity at a university. As vice-dean she will work to ensure that our staff are motivated and ambitious, that new forms of collaboration and new results can emerge across the Faculty, the University and international institutions, and that research can be published more rapidly and in several languages at the same time.
John McNicol – Candidate for Pro-Dean for Studies
John McNicol is our candidate for pro-dean for studies. He is Associate Professor in history and Head of Studies at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History (IAKH). He is deeply committed to teaching and to students. In 2014 he received the University of Oslo’s Award for Quality of Teaching, and in 2016 he was selected as one of Norway’s ten foremost communicators in a ranking conducted by Morgenbladet.
He has served as Head of Department and Dean of Studies at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway – in the period 2018–2024. He has been UiT’s leader for educational collaboration within the international alliance EUGLOH, and a representative in UHR-Humanities, UHR-Teacher Education and UHR-Sámi. He will draw on his teaching experience and his experience as an academic leader to ensure that we have attractive and relevant study programmes of high quality, with engaged and committed students.
The Societal Mission of the Humanities
We want to make visible the societal mission of humanists and highlight the value of humanities competence. It is absolutely essential that the wider public – politicians, decision-makers and citizens in general – gain a clearer understanding of our relevance. In an unpredictable world, humanistic knowledge and insight are crucial.
We are the custodians of our collective memory, those who can place events in perspective and contribute to understanding across peoples, religions and societies. The age we live in needs the humanities. We will work systematically to build networks, enter into partnerships and develop more forms of collaboration with the wider society, so that the importance of the humanities and their values is recognised both within and outside the University. The education we provide is important because it develops competences that can be applied throughout society.
Education, Students and the Learning Environment
It is vital to continue the work of building a bridge between school and university. Our students must rapidly acquire the tools and knowledge they need to study effectively. This includes academic reading and writing, appropriate use of sources, use of AI, and study skills.
We will work to ensure that they encounter a good learning environment from day one, so that they are well equipped both academically and socially to complete their studies and to meet the demands of the future labour market. At the same time, we must strengthen cooperation with society outside the University and make the relevance of our programmes visible.
We will establish more points of contact with working life. Our societal mission entails providing teaching both to students on campus and to those who do not have the opportunity to come here. We will therefore establish flexible study programmes in which continuing and further education becomes a natural part of the Faculty’s study portfolio.
Research, Publication and Conditions for Researchers
Our teaching shall be research-based, and the quality of education is closely linked to research quality. Our researchers must have good conditions for their work and receive professional and reliable support. The Faculty shall continue its efforts to follow up research proposals and to encourage more applicants to apply to thematic calls.
We will also invest more in the public PhD scheme. Researchers who lead large research projects shall receive support and training in leadership, so that they can best assist their project members and ensure project success. We aim to find solutions that enable our staff to publish results quickly and with open access.
Working Environment, Leadership and Career Development
For the vast majority, the Faculty of Humanities is a good place to work. Nonetheless, we face certain challenges, including high sickness absence in some groups. We will give priority to efforts to ensure a good working environment for all and to reduce sickness absence. We will strengthen personnel management so that all employees receive close and constructive follow-up.
All staff and students shall be welcomed appropriately when they join us. They shall be included in the community both socially and academically. Both administrative and academic staff shall be offered good opportunities for career development. It is also essential that doctoral candidates receive a proper welcome and continue to have good working conditions, and that early-career researchers are given tasks that promote their career advancement. We have a particular responsibility towards international staff, who must not only learn Norwegian but also adapt to a new system.
Economy and Academic Profile
The Faculty’s finances are under pressure, and it will be necessary to work systematically and purposefully to improve them. Our aim is to secure a stable and sustainable financial situation at the Faculty while at the same time maintaining high quality. We must work strategically to safeguard quality even in economically difficult times. It cannot be the case that random departures determine what our academic profile will look like in the future.
Dissemination, Public Engagement and Protection against Online Harassment
Many members of staff make a formidable contribution as communicators in various channels: in the media, as textbook authors, as columnists, in podcasts and as participants in popular science programmes. It is important that our researchers continue to take part in public debate, and we will support those who experience online harassment and abuse. We must never allow people to be forced into silence.
Leadership Style and Motivation
We have long experience in leadership and have consistently emphasised the involvement of staff in major processes. We will continue to do so. We stand for a transparent style of leadership in which everyone is given the opportunity to provide input and influence processes. We are motivated to take over the leadership of the Faculty of Humanities in Oslo. We have the experience, energy, will and courage required to lead the Faculty into the future.