Announcement of election of members for the department council at the Department of Biological Sciences 2025

Fergal O'Farrell

Hi! I think it is important that Group A (Scientist and Educators) are represented at the Institute board meetings (and other similar meetings where budgeting and strategy are discussed). As is the participation and representation of the other work groupings and students. Decisions here can impact the effectiveness of our work so feedback from the different work groupings to the faculty board is important and should be integrated into decisions (democracy in action). Additionally, information from this board to colleagues is sometimes wanted and the representatives should be able to relay this information. I have served as substitute (vara) on this board for a few years. I would like to continue with this for another term, either vara or member. In addition to this I serve on the MOL Ms and BSc program board, teach MOL200 and MOL213 and try to keep an active research lab going (although it’s arguably the Technical and Student staff doing that).

Anders Martin Frugård Opdal

I work as a researcher in the Theoretical Ecology group, with which I have been affiliated for almost 20 years, first as a research fellow, then as a researcher (in Uni Research), and further as a postdoctoral fellow and researcher. Over the years, I have seen BIO and UiB from different perspectives, and now want to contribute my experiences and knowledge towards decision-making processes at BIO. I am particularly concerned that the lack of priorities is not neutral, and that this must be highlighted and discussed openly in relation to the future of BIO. As a member of the department council, I will be concerned with transparency around long-term goals and the design of the associated budget.

Christiane Eichner

Hi, I have been employed as an associate professor at the Sea Lice Center in the Fish Disease Group since 2022. Before that, I had several temporary positions as a researcher and finally a permanent research position so that I know the situation of other members of Group A. Since BIO is a very large institute, I am interested in good communication between different departments including management, especially when it comes to decisions about BIO's future.

Frank Nilsen

Professor at the Fish Health faggruppe and the Sea Lice Research Center.

Katherine Louise Powell Downham

PhD-fellow at the Molecular Biology faggruppe

Kristine Birkeli

PhD-fellow at faggruppe Ecology and Evolution

Christian Ludvig Nilsson

Hello, my name is Christian Nilsson, and I'm a PhD-student from Sweden who's recently started my four-year PhD-project at the University of Bergen.

My primary focus is on deep-sea ecology, working on a quantitative characterization of worm-forest ecosystems at Arctic hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. Here I am investigating how the environment and physical structure of the worm forests impacts the structure, function and food webs of the associated community. Besides deep-sea ecology I am also fascinated by ecology and biodiversity in general (particularly of the marine variety). Therefore, I'll also be working as a teaching assistant in 'Organismal Biology 2' (BIO102) and 'Marine Benthic Fauna' (BIO226). I also come from a long background in science communication and am a very outgoing, communicative person. These skills are what I hope to apply if I were to be elected as a representative for temporary employees. 

Feel free to check out my UiB page and reach out if you have any questions!
 

Ragnhild Gya

My background: I am a plant ecologist and biology teacher educator, conducting research on alpine plants and climate change, as well as on the educational value of field courses. I am also actively engaged in science communication, particularly related to the The Cumning-Montreal Biodiversity Agreement and how we can better protect Norwegian nature.

Why I’m running: I am running as a Group B representative because this large department is facing important decisions, and it wil be important to have a strong voice for the group B interests. I have previously served two terms on the Faculty Board and am familiar with how these bodies operate. At UiB, I’ve held many roles — as a student, PhD candidate, teacher, and now postdoctoral researcher. I have also been a student representative for bioCEED and initiated the student-led projects biORAKEL and bioSPIRE.

Key issues: I want to work for greater predictability in academic career paths and better support for those seeking careers outside academia, for instance through stronger connections to the non-academic job market during PhD training. I’m passionate about science communication and believe PhD candidates should be offered training in this area. I also want to improve the structure and support around teaching duties, including for postdocs. Lastly, I am committed to improving the integration of international staff — an important task for our whole department.

Rannveig Myklebust

I have worked at UiB in various roles for a total of 17 years, from research assistant at the LOS center after finishing my major through senior lecturer at the master's program in child welfare (PSYFA) to starting administrative positions as senior consultant/section head/administrative manager at the Faculty of Social Sciences, and now advisor at BIO. With this broad experience from our organization, I am running as a candidate for the department council because I believe I can contribute to many issues.

Knut Olav Daasvatn

Hei, I am happy to contribute if needed, drawing on nearly 30 years of experience from different roles and units at UiB.

Per Gunnar Espedal

Head Engineer at the Fish health faggruppe

Linda Veka Hjørnevik

My name is Linda Hjørnevik and I work as a study advisor with responsibility for the bachelor's and master's programs in molecular biology. I am a trained molecular biologist and have been at the department since 2007, first as a master's student, then as a PhD student, and later as a technician. So I know the department well and have experience in various employee roles. In addition, I am a safety representative and am committed to a good working environment. I wish to be part of the department council to gain better insight into decision-making processes at the department. If elected, I will particularly focus on improving the flow of information from the department council to all employees. I hope you will vote for me!

Julie Skadal

I want to run for election because I think it is important that technicians are well represented on the department council. I have worked at BIO for almost 25 years in varied tasks and know both the department and the employees well.

Kaia Berg

I am a bachelor's student in molecular biology, and am a board member of the Helix molecular biology committee. I am running as a candidate for the department council because I want to contribute to a good study environment, as well as participate in creating good contact and dialogue between the department and the students at the Faculty of Life Sciences.

Rakel Standal Rege

Hi, my name is Rakel Standal Rege and I am a third year bachelor's student in Biology, and will be starting a master's in Biology in the fall. I am running because I want to be the students' voice when it comes to changes or choices that will affect us.

Mathilde Haugvaldstad

Hello, I have been nominated as a candidate for the department council, and this is the text I have written for the election page: As a master's student in marine biology, fisheries biology and management, I want to be a bridge between the students and the department council. I hope to contribute with good communication and constructive input to strengthen the environment between the students and the department.

André Hellesen Aasheim

Hi, my name is André Hellesen Aasheim and I am studying for a master's degree in marine biology, fisheries biology and management. I ran for office because it seemed exciting and to have the opportunity to be involved in the choices that will potentially be made. I bring a good mood and want to be a link between the students and the institution.

Marius Haram Halvorsen

I am a motivated Biology student who will start my fifth and final year of the Master's degree in Marine Biology in the fall of 2025. I have been walking the halls of BIO since the fall of 2021 and know most of the subjects. I have also worked as a subject consultant for three semesters for BIO100 and BIO103 and thus know several of the students across year levels. It would have been a fun and nice experience to join the Department Council.

1. Proposals are submitted in writing using the department's nomination form
2. Proposals must be signed by at least the same number of proposers as the number of candidates the proposal contains
3. Proposers must be eligible for election
4. No one can sign more than one proposal
5. Those proposed must be eligible for election
6. If a candidate is proposed who can claim exemption from election, the proposal must be accompanied by written consent from the person concerned
7. The proposal must have been received no later than 12:00 on March 19, 2025
8. Proposals must be sent by email to knut.daasvatn@uib.no.

Group A (scientific staff with permanent employment) - 3 representatives and 4 substitutes.  In addition the head of department is a permanent member.  Elected for 4 year term.

Group B (scientific staff with temporary employment) - 1 representative and 2 substitutes.  Elected for 1 year term.

Group C (technical and administrative staff) - 2 representatives and 2 substitutes.  Elected for 4 year term.

Group D (students) - 2 representatives and 2 substitutes.  Elected for 1 year term.

In order to nominate candidates or to be allowed to vote, you must be on the UiB electoral roll (census), cf. § 6 UiB electoral regulations [Norwegian language]

The right to nominate and vote is granted to anyone who, when the election starts:

• is permanently employed in at least half a position or
• is employed or engaged for at least one year in at least half a position or
• has been continuously employed or engaged for at least one year in at least half a position

Gr. A, B and C - here you can check if you are on the electoral roll. The electoral roll will be updated in March.

Gr. D (students) - here you can check if you are on the electoral roll. The electoral roll will be updated in March.

Anyone who is eligible has the right to propose.

If you have any questions about the electoral roll, please send an e-mail to: valgstyret@uib.no.

Valgreglement [Electoral regulations] for UiB