MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and SocietyNorway
Ingrid Storm is a Professor of Sociology at MF University College of Theology, Religion and Society, serving as Head of the Department of Religion, School and Society since December 2022. She previously held roles at the University of Birmingham (Birmingham Fellow, 2018–2022) and the University of Manchester, including a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015–2017). Her expertise spans religious change, quantitative methods, and the interplay between religion, identity, and social attitudes. Storm’s research focuses on topics such as reactive religiosity, economic insecurity’s impact on religious behavior, and immigration attitudes. She has conducted EU-funded projects on youth radicalization and inequality, and her work often utilizes large-scale survey data. She teaches courses including Religion and Society in Europe and the USA and methodological training for undergraduate and graduate students. Her scholarly contributions explore how religious identity intersects with ethnicity, nationalism, and social capital, with a focus on Europe. Key themes include secularization trends, the role of religion in civic engagement, and the influence of parental socialization on religious practices. She has served on councils for institutions like the Nordic Association for the Sociology of Religion and the SCORE Initiative.
Professor Odd Jarl Borch is a prominent academic at Nord University specializing in emergency preparedness, crisis management, and Arctic security. His work bridges theoretical research with practical implementation through international collaborations and policy contributions. Education: Harstad Gymnasium Norwegian School of Economics Umeå University, Sweden Indiana University, USA Bodin Maritime College Professor Borch's research focuses on emergency preparedness systems in high-complexity environments, particularly in the Arctic region. His work examines civil-military cooperation, hybrid threats, and organizational management during crises. He has pioneered research on maritime safety in polar regions and developed frameworks for cross-border emergency response coordination. His approach integrates theoretical organizational models with practical crisis management applications, emphasizing the unique challenges of Arctic operations. His recent publications (2020-2024) reveal a strong trajectory toward hybrid threat analysis and collaborative security frameworks. The research consistently addresses Arctic-specific challenges while developing universally applicable emergency response models. Key themes include virtual network intelligence, civil-military coordination mechanisms, and structural adaptations for high-complexity environments. His work demonstrates increasing emphasis on digital transformation in emergency management and the evolving nature of security threats in polar regions. Professor Borch leads significant research initiatives including the NORDLAB Center for Emergency Preparedness and Cooperation and coordinates a network of 25 European researchers on civil-military preparedness. He has initiated major international collaborations such as the Arctic Safety and Security network with 22 universities and the ARCSAR innovation network. His practical impact extends to public service through membership on the Corona Commission, the Total Emergency Preparedness Commission, and the cruise industry safety investigation committee. He has supervised numerous bachelor's, master's, and PhD students in organization and management subjects related to security and crisis management. His teaching portfolio includes fisheries economics, vessel operations, financial management, and crisis management. Professor Borch's laboratory work centers on the NORDLAB emergency management facility, which conducts advanced simulation training for Arctic emergency response professionals.
Kerry Stephen Seiler is a Professor at the University of Agder in Norway, specifically within the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education under the Faculty of Health and Sport. He has been actively involved in research and consultation since the late 1990s, including roles as a research consultant for the Sorlandet Regional Hospital and the Norwegian Olympic Federation. Masters in Exercise Science (1987), University of Arkansas PhD in Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry, 1995), University of Texas His research focuses on Exercise Physiology , particularly the interaction between brain and body during physical exertion and how cardiovascular systems adapt to training . He developed the SPADE research group (Sports Performance and Athlete Development Environments) and is a leading voice in 80/20 endurance training principles. Recent publications emphasize training intensity distribution , low-intensity endurance strategies , and polarized training models . His work often intersects with practical applications in professional cycling and endurance sports. Fellow, European College of Sport Science Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine He has contributed extensively to media platforms like Fast Talk Laboratories , The Roadman Cycling Podcast , and Podcast Feel Better Live More , discussing topics ranging from Zone 2 training to exercise as a longevity tool .
Puneet Sharma is an Associate Professor at the Department of Automation and Process Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. His primary research areas include computer vision, image analysis, machine learning, and wearables technology, with active contributions to atmospheric science data processing and maritime navigation AI applications. Current role: Associate Professor (Automation) Teaching: Industrial data communication (bachelor), Machine Vision (master) Research: Machine Learning Group member, focus on visual attention models, deep learning for PMSE segmentation, and wearable training systems Recent publications highlight his work in applying machine learning to Polar Mesospheric Summer Echoes (PMSE) analysis, noctilucent cloud classification, and biosignal-based maritime navigation studies. He participated in the Horizon 2020 WEKIT project for wearable-based industrial training.
Roland Kallenborn is a Professor in Organic Analytical Chemistry at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences (KBM), and serves as the University of the Arctic (UArctic) Chair for Arctic Environmental Pollution Research. He holds adjunct professorships at Nord University (Bodø) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China, where he contributes to environmental chemistry education. His work is closely aligned with the NMBU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, particularly the Institute for Food Safety and Infection Biology. Ph.D. in Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Hamburg (1993) M.Sc. equivalent in Biology and Chemistry, Technical University of Kaiserslautern (1986) His research centers on the identification, quantification, and risk assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) in environmental and food matrices. He specializes in advanced analytical techniques such as high-resolution chromatography and mass spectrometry. His work spans Arctic pollution, chiral contaminants, PFAS, microplastics, urban agriculture, and climate change impacts on contaminant dynamics. He leads the NMBU Bioanalytical Research Team and has extensive field experience in the Arctic, Antarctica, and cold regions. His recent publications reflect a strong focus on Arctic contaminants, PFAS in water and snow, non-target screening, and urban environmental toxicology. Trends show a growing emphasis on effect-based monitoring, early warning systems, and interdisciplinary approaches linking environmental science with policy and human health. S DN North Sea Environmental Award (1992) Elected member, Norwegian Scientific Academy for Polar Research (2007) Elected foreign member, Engineering Academy of Armenia (2012) Senior advisor, IJRC-AEE at HIT (2018) IUPAC Titular Member and Norwegian Delegate (2023) Chairman, EuChemS Division for Chemistry and the Environment (2024–2028) Kallenborn has supervised over 45 MSc and 15 PhD students and served as an external examiner for numerous doctoral defenses. He has received research funding from NSF, EU, NERC, and other international agencies. He is actively involved in major scientific networks including AMAP, SETAC, IUPAC, and EuChemS, and organizes key conferences such as ICCE and the Norwegian Environmental Chemistry Symposium. He leads or participates in projects on One Health, Arctic pollution mitigation, and sustainable handling of mine wastes. He is affiliated with the NMBU Bioanalytical Research Team, contributes to the UArctic Chair network, and collaborates with institutions in Norway, China, Germany, and across the Arctic. His leadership in Arctic environmental research is evident through his field expeditions, editorial roles (e.g., Environmental Science and Pollution Research ), and policy engagement via AMAP and IUPAC.
Hild Elisabeth Hoff is an Associate Professor at the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Bergen. She co-leads the Research Group POTENT (Post-Truth English Teaching) and focuses on intercultural competence, democracy education, and literacy in 21st-century contexts. Her work bridges literature, media, and social challenges in language teaching. Research interests include intercultural communication through literature and film, critical media literacy, and citizenship education in foreign language curricula. Recent work addresses social media controversies in classrooms and the role of popular music in challenging binary thinking. Publications span academic articles, conference presentations, and editorial contributions, including a Special Issue on literature’s role in intercultural education. She actively engages in teacher training programs and supervises doctoral students exploring contemporary educational issues. Key collaborations include the POTENT group and international conferences such as Cultnet and OsloMet. Her work emphasizes theoretical frameworks like Bildung and practical pedagogical strategies for globalized classrooms.
Fatih Bayram is a Researcher in Linguistics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, specifically within the Department of Language and Culture in the Faculty for Humanities, Social Sciences and Teacher Education. Based in Tromsø, he actively contributes to the university's research profile in language studies with a particular focus on heritage language bilingualism and second language acquisition. Dr. Bayram's research primarily investigates heritage language phenomena across multiple linguistic systems and populations. His work centers on Turkish as a heritage language, but also extends to Bosnian, Serbian, Persian, and Mandarin heritage speakers. He examines morphosyntactic variation, lexical outcomes, and processing mechanisms in heritage bilinguals, with particular attention to how language experience shapes linguistic competence. His methodological approach combines theoretical linguistics with psycholinguistic experimentation and sociolinguistic documentation. Analysis of Dr. Bayram's publication record from 2016-2024 reveals consistent research trajectories in heritage language acquisition, with increasing methodological sophistication in documenting language experience. His recent work emphasizes the role of external factors, schooling, and language usage patterns in shaping heritage language outcomes, challenging deficit perspectives on heritage bilingualism. The publications demonstrate strong international collaboration, particularly with Jason Rothman and other prominent researchers in the field. Dr. Bayram actively contributes to multiple research groups including AcqVA Aurora, the Psycholinguistics of Language Representation (PoLaR) lab, and C-LaBL. He has been involved in significant research projects such as BLINK (2018-2021) and CODE-V (2023-2025), focusing on heritage language development and variation. His teaching portfolio includes courses on Multilingualism, Second Language Acquisition, Heritage Speaker Bilingualism, and Research Methods in Applied Linguistics at both undergraduate and graduate levels, demonstrating his commitment to training the next generation of language researchers.
Rune Enger is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, and the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine. He leads the Institute's education program and specializes in astrocyte-neuron interactions, particularly in healthy and dysfunctional brain states. Enger's research focuses on aquaporin-4 polarization, cerebral edema, sleep dynamics, and Alzheimer’s disease modeling. His work combines experimental neuroscience with computational and imaging tools like RippleNet and Begonia pipelines. Education: Cand.med. (Medical Doctorate), University of Oslo, including a medical student research program. Postdoctoral training at Oslo University Hospital under Erlend Nagelhus. Academic roles include Head of Education at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences since 2024. Research Interests: Astrocyte physiology, brain fluid dynamics, glial signaling in neurological disorders, and development of neuroimaging/analytical tools. Key findings include the role of aquaporin-4 in solute clearance and sleep-related astrocyte activity regulation. Publications: Over 25 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nature Communications , Fluids and Barriers of the CNS , and Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience . Collaborates widely with teams in Norway and internationally, focusing on glial cell biology and translational neuroscience.
Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorway
Martin Eugene Callanan is an Associate Professor in Archaeology at the Department of Historical and Classical Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His research focuses on glacial archaeology, mountain archaeology, prehistoric hunting weapons, Sami archaeology, and the intersection of cultural heritage with climate change. Member of the Royal Norwegian Society of Science (DKNVS) Organizer in UISPP's HOME (Human Occupations of Mountain Landscapes) Commission Lead projects on VR integration in archaeology education (VR-Learn, 2020) Developed drone-based teaching modules for NTNU's Archaeology Program (2017) His work emphasizes student-active learning and digital tool integration. Key publications address climate change impacts on Arctic archives, snow patch archaeology, and Sami historical practices. He supervised MA and PhD students while leading NTNU's Archaeology Program (BARK and MARK) from 2019-2023.
Bjørn Ivar Kruke is a Professor of Public Safety at the University of Stavanger, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Department of Security, Economics and Planning. His research focuses on risk governance, emergency preparedness, crisis management, and Arctic safety, with extensive publications in safety science and disaster risk reduction. His research interests include: Risk governance in natural hazards and climate change Emergency and crisis communication Resilience and vulnerability in extreme environments Public safety and police operations Arctic search and rescue and maritime safety School and community preparedness His recent publications (2020–2025) show a consistent focus on interdisciplinary risk and safety themes, particularly in polar and climate-affected regions. Articles frequently appear in top journals such as Safety Science , Environmental Science and Policy , and International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction , often exploring trust, governance, and community involvement in crisis response. Trends indicate a strong emphasis on participatory models, cross-sectoral cooperation, and empirical studies in Norwegian and Arctic contexts. Bjørn Ivar Kruke has been involved in major research projects including Arct-Risk and has contributed expert reports, such as for the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission. While no formal list of advisees is provided, his frequent co-authorship with early-career researchers suggests active mentorship. He has also contributed to policy development, including resilience recommendations in EU-funded projects. Grants and funding sources are implied through project affiliations but not explicitly detailed. He has collaborated extensively with researchers at the University of Stavanger and beyond, particularly in teams focused on Arctic risk, societal safety, and crisis governance. Labs or formal research groups are not explicitly named, but his work is embedded in collaborative networks addressing climate-related systemic risks, especially in the Arctic.
Unni Pia Løvhaug is a Professor in Space Physics at the Department of Physics and Technology , UiT The Arctic University of Norway . She works in Tromsø and is affiliated with the Space Physics research group. Current affiliation: UiT The Arctic University of Norway Department: Physics and Technology Research group: Space Physics Contact: unni.pia.lovhaug@uit.no Her research focuses on Ionospheric Physics , Auroral Phenomena , Space Weather , and High-Latitude Atmospheric Processes . She utilizes EISCAT radar and optical measurements to study ionospheric dynamics, particle precipitation, and polar cap morphology. Scientific trends in her work include Space Physics (1997–2021), Ionospheric Modeling (2005–2021), Polar Cap Dynamics (2004–2021), and Space Weather Applications (2013–2020). She contributes to Arctic research education through programs like CaNoRock STEP (2014) and studies the impact of space weather on drilling operations (2013–2014). Location: Forskningsparken 1 A218 , Tromsø, Norway
Norwegian University of Science And TechnologyNorway
May Thorseth is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at NTNU, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities. She serves as Deputy of Research and Innovation IFR and Director of NTNU's Programme for Applied Ethics since 2001. Her roles include leadership in NTNU Sustainability (since 2014), the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS Board President since 2020), and Norway's Ethical Council for the Defense Sector (member since 2019). She has held roles in multiple national and international ethics committees including REK, NEM, and Bioteknologirådet. Research Interests : Ethics and political philosophy; applied ethics; environmental ethics; AI ethics; multicultural conflicts; democracy and fundamentalism. Her work bridges theoretical ethics with practical applications in defense, sustainability, and technology. Recent Projects : Lead roles in Horizon 2020 projects like ULTIMATE (water sustainability), GOODANIMAL (animal welfare), and STOP-IT (water infrastructure security). Her work emphasizes ethics in digital defense, circular economy, and climate policy. Publications focus on ethical frameworks for technology governance, intergenerational justice, and moral functioning in crises. Recent themes include ethical preparedness in defense sectors, climate ethics, and AI responsibility. Advisory and Grants : Ethics Officer in EU-funded projects, grant leadership in NRC and BIONÆR initiatives. Active in policy advisory roles regarding nuclear power (Kjernekraftutvalget) and rural studies (Ruralis). Thorseth’s lab focuses on applied ethics in technology, governance, and environmental policy, collaborating with institutions like PRIO, NORDE, and KWR Watercycle Research Institute.
Oddgeir Tveiten is a Professor at the University of Agder in the Department of Global Development and Planning within the Faculty of Social Sciences. He also holds a 20% part-time professorship in Journalism and Media Studies at NLA University College . His academic career focuses on political communication , globalization studies , and the intersection between technology and society as well as technology and learning . Key research areas: Political communication, Globalization studies Technological focus: Education technology, Media-society interaction His recent publications examine Ethiopian media polarization, digital education tools in Pakistan, and smart university frameworks. He leads the Future Learning Lab research group and has developed educational theories like contact education methodology. Though no scientific awards are mentioned, his work spans journalism ethics, conflict communication, and urban cultural policy studies. Notable projects include peace-building media initiatives in Norway, Nordic edupreneurship programs, and analyses of media representation in refugee contexts. He has edited books on digital education futures and published extensively in journals like Conflict & Communication Online and Nordicom , with a career trajectory showing consistent focus on media's role in political and educational transformation.
Viola Lobert is an Associate Professor at Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Technology, Art and Design. She specializes in Cell Biology with a focus on signaling pathways in Developmental Biology and Cancer Research. She employs model organisms like zebrafish, fruit flies, mice, and organoids in her work. PhD from Radiumhospitalet under Harald Stenmark Postdoctoral training at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), Australia Co-leader of the Male Reproductive Health research group at OsloMet Teaching responsibilities in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Her research interests span signal transduction , epithelial polarity , organoid cultivation , and zebrafish models for disease . She investigates how molecular pathways contribute to cancer development and uses 3D cell culture techniques to study cellular processes. Recent publications highlight her work on AMPK-regulated lumen expansion , integrin signaling in cardiac health , and organoid modeling for testicular cancer . Her studies also address environmental toxicants' impact on developmental neurotoxicity and the role of phosphoinositide metabolism in cancer progression. No scientific awards mentioned in the provided text. A dedicated educator, she has taught developmental biology at University of Oslo, cell biology at Østfold University College, and cell signaling at NTNU. Her research grants include a postdoctoral fellowship from South East Health. Viola collaborates with institutions like Radiumhospitalet and WEHI, and co-leads the Reproductive Health in Men research group with Jorunn Andersen. She is actively involved in the ADEPT (Advanced Health intelligence and brain-Inspired Technologies) research group.
Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorway
Unni Eikeseth is an Associate Professor in Natural Sciences at the Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She specializes in chemistry and science didactics for primary and secondary school teacher education programs. Her educational background includes a Cand. scient in organic chemistry from the University of Bergen, doctoral-level courses in organic chemistry at NTNU, and PPU (Professional Pedagogical Education) from NTNU. She has also completed specialized courses including Higher Education Didactics for Sustainability (2024), Perspectives in Science and Technology Didactics (2023), and Science Didactics for Teacher Educators (2019). Eikeseth's research focuses on scientific literacy, the use of socially relevant topics in science teaching, popular science communication, and narrative texts about natural science. She is particularly interested in school gardens as learning environments and coordinates ILU's university garden, Humlehagen. Her recent work examines conspiracy theories in education, climate change communication, and digital learning resources related to the periodic table through the 'Time Travel Elements' project. Her publications from 2023-2024 reveal a strong emphasis on environmental chemistry education, science communication challenges, and innovative teaching methods. She frequently publishes in both academic journals and popular media outlets, demonstrating her commitment to bridging academic research with public understanding of science. Shortlisted for NTNU's literature prize in 2020 for 'Jakten på stedsansen' (The Search for a Sense of Place) Eikeseth serves as a board member of the Institute Board at the Department of Teacher Education and has been actively involved in multiple research groups including the ScienceHumanities research group and projects related to conspiracy theories in education. She previously worked as a research fellow in organic chemistry at NTNU, a science journalist and program director at NRK (2002-2009, 2010-2015), and as an associate professor at Trondheim Cathedral School (2009-2010). She was also the leader of the Norwegian Association of Research Journalists from 2014-2015. She coordinates the university garden Humlehagen and is involved in the '80th anniversary of the 1942 teaching campaign' working group that documents teachers' resistance against Nazification of schools during World War II.
