Ida-Elise Seppola Asplund

I am an outspoken person from the Arctic (Tromsø), committed to diversity, climate action, and fair treatment at UiB. I’m a PhD candidate at the Department of Comparative Politics, researching political careers and representation.

Over the past year, I’ve served as your representative on the University Board, gaining deeper insight into both the opportunities and challenges faced by temporary staff at UiB. I hope to earn your trust to continue this work for another year.

We’re facing a growing climate crisis, rising inequality, and polarization—pressing challenges we must address as a university and society. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring fair treatment across and within staff groups, promoting diversity, and supporting climate-smart solutions. A strong university is one with a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences. That’s how we grow smarter—together.

Temporary staff are the most vulnerable group at the university. We often rely heavily on good work relations—especially with supervisors and our research community—for future job opportunities. International colleagues are even more vulnerable, especially when conflicts arise. Visas and work contracts are often linked, and navigating the Norwegian system can be tough. We need better information, better systems, and a stronger safety net. This is something I will continue to work for on the board.

Even though we are group B-employees, we should not be the B-team! Inequality within Group B is far too great. Salaries, working conditions, funding, and access to equipment vary significantly—even within similar academic fields. These unfair gaps can limit chances to attend conferences, research stays, and build international networks—key to future careers. Time and budget pressures make it harder to choose greener options, like trains over planes. Furthermore, we need to strengthen the contact between young researchers and the industry, to improve job prospects outside of academia. It’s especially important to connect international staff with industry.

The university must lead the way in green transition and social justice. This goes beyond symbolic gestures—it’s about the structures we build and the opportunities we provide employees to make sustainable choices.

Over the past year, I’ve worked to amplify Group B’s voice through my English-language newsletter before each board meeting. I believe in building alliances through dialogue with UiBDoc, UiBFerd, and the national PhD candidate organization, and I’ve contributed to both internal events and opinion pieces in the newspaper Khrono. For me, strengthening university democracy means making board processes more accessible and understandable.

As former Student Parliament President in Tromsø and advisor to Bergen’s Mayor, I understand both the academic system and how the university is seen from the outside. This helps me work strategically for real impact—and ensure our voices are heard and taken seriously.

Much is well for temporary staff—but things could be better. I want to keep fighting for justice, rights and diversity, and I hope to represent us for another year.

Questions, thoughts, or input? Feel free to reach out!

 📞 99592595
 📧 ida-elise.asplund@uib.no