An unexpected dream job in Rana
A year and a half has passed since Nordlandsforskning (Nordland Research) opened a new office in Mo. Since then, Maiken Bjørkan has worked in the building that houses MIP’s administration. These days, however, she can be found at Campus Helgeland, where her employer shares facilities with SIF (the Centre for Industrial Research & Development), and the Helgeland division of SINTEF, the largest independent research organisation in Scandinavia.
“I never thought I could work as a researcher and have a base right here, in Mo i Rana. That was made possible by the strategic decision of Nordland Research to reach all of Nordland County, combined with the establishment of Campus Helgeland,” says Bjørkan.
“It’s really great for the Rana region, and all of Helgeland, that we now have such a centre for knowledge-based activity. The Campus includes Nord University and SIF, as well as the establishment of SINTEF Helgeland.”
A leading centre for research and innovation
“Being at Campus Helgeland leads you to many informal encounters that foster new projects. You might just be having coffee with someone, and out of the conversation arises an idea for an exciting project,” says Bjørkan.
“This is a very different and a very dynamic environment for us researchers. It’s an exciting privilege to grow alongside others,” she says.
“As our total number increases – at SIF, SINTEF and Nordland Research – the campus becomes more attractive for other researchers. Together, we can make this a leading research and innovation centre.”
Nordland Research, established in 1979, carries out commissioned research within the social sciences and business economics. Today it is owned jointly by Nord University and the Nordland Research Foundation.
“We carry out projects within our region, nationally, and throughout the world. However, we feel a special commitment to Nordland County,” says Bjørkan. She did her own doctoral studies in Fish Resources Management at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science in Tromsø.
Management with uncertainty
Bjørkan works in the Environmental Group, which focuses on such topics as fishing tourism, wilderness management, nature conservation, mining projects, marine pollution and urban development. During her time with Nordland Research, she has worked on climate-change issues and questions related to oil and gas exploration in the waters off the Lofoten Islands. In addition, she sits on an advisory commission established by the Norwegian Parliament that examines the obligations of delivery, processing and other operations within the country’s fisheries. She is now busy with a two-year project examining uncertainty factors within the aquaculture industry.
A focus on publication and communication
Nordland Research deems the communication of research results to be a vital focus – for instance in the form of seminars and radio programmes. Once a month, together with Nord University, they host Lytring, an open discussion forum in Bodø.
“I believe it’s vital for the knowledge we gain to be socially relevant. Establishing open discussion forums where members of the public can take participate is an important measure. Listening is just as important as sharing what we have to say – in fact, Lytring means “the listening ring”. We might not always agree, but we can make significant progress in understanding each other,” says Bjørkan.
She hopes a similar discussion forum will be established in Mo i Rana.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
