IFT: Election of Institute Council Members 2026

VOTE HERE – The election details will only be visible during the above named period.

– When you open the link, you will be shown a list of elections available to you this year (faculty and institute elections).

This year, elections are being held for Group B (temporary academic staff) and Group D (students).

Ingrid Bjørge-Engeland

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Ingrid Bjørge-Engeland

Hi! I am a postdoc in the Space Physics group, in the research group Hard Radiation from Thunderstorms, focusing on gamma-ray emissions associated with lightning discharges.

I have been at IFT for nearly 11 years, since starting as a bachelor student in 2015. In addition to my research projects, I am currently teaching ithe course Near Earth Space (Phys251). Outside of academia, I have been involved in student politics, served as a student representative in the University research committee, and been a member of various political committees.  

I hope to contribute to ensuring that the interests of temporary staff are represented. A key priority for me is improving the predictability and transparency for early-career researchers, and ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Øystein Håvard Færder

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Øystein Færder

Hi! I have a background as a PhD in solar physics from the University of Oslo (UiO) and am currently a postdoctoral researcher in atmospheric electricity at UiB, where I work on simulations of various gamma-ray pulses that have been observed from thunderclouds. The reason I am running for representative in Group B is that I want to actively contribute to ensuring that PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and other temporary staff at IFT have the best possible day-to-day working environment. As I also teach the master’s course PHYS206, I have insight into the situation of master’s students at the department and can also provide input on how to improve everyday life for instructors at IFT.

Andreas Ulveseth Mikalsen

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Andreas Ulveseth Mikalsen

Hi! I am a PhD candidate in the Experimental Nuclear Physics group, where I work on data analysis in collaboration with the ALICE project at CERN. My research focuses on heavy-ion collisions to study the high-energy medium known as the quark–gluon plasma.

I am running for  representative because I want to help ensure that PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and other temporary staff at IFT have a good working environment. I am committed to making sure that early-career researchers are heard, and to contributing to good communication and a supportive work environment at the institute.

Sindre Kvam

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Sindre Kvam

Hi, my name is Sindre and I study physics. I am actively involved in the study environment through roles in the subject committee for physics and technology and through my job as a teaching assistant. I believe it is important that students are heard and are able to participate in decisions about their own study experience at the department.

Sanna Skauge

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Sanna Skauge

My name is Sanna, and I am in my third year of a bachelor’s degree in physics. I am running for election as a departmental representative because I want to be involved in how the department is governed and to ensure that students’ views are well represented. If I am elected, I will make sure that students’ perspectives are included in decision-making processes and that students’ opinions are heard.

I am the corporate relations officer in the Academic Committee for Physics and Technology, as well as a student contact for Tekna. I am committed to creating a strong student environment at IFT, and as a representative I will work to ensure that students have the best possible study experience, both academically and socially.

Sivert Øksnes Havdal

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Sivert Øksnes Havdal

Hi, my name is Sivert Øksnes Havdal. I am 23 years old and a second-year student of Marine Technology. I am the deputy chair of Neptun – the Academic Committee for Marine Technology, and I am running for election in order to be a clear student voice in how the department should be governed.

The election period (electronic voting) begins at 09:00 on 19 May and ends on 21 May at 12:00. 

Group B: Temporary Employees in Teaching and Research Positions

• Ingrid Bjørge-Engeland
• Andreas Mikalsen
• Øystein Håvard Færder

We need 1 representative and 2 deputies.

Group D: Students

• Sindre Kvam
• Sanna Skauge
• Sivert Øksnes Havdl
• Maria Schubert

We need 2 representatives and 2 deputies.

Group B: Temporary staff – teaching and research positionsWe need 1 representatives and 2 substitute members in Group B.

Group D: StudentsWe need 2 representatives and 2 substitute members in Group D

How to nominate representatives to the Department board:

• The proposal must be in writing.
• The proposal must be signed by at least the same number of proposers as the number of candidates the proposal contains.
• The proposer(s) must be entitled to vote in the election.
• No one can sign more than one proposal.
• All proposed candidates must be eligible.
• If any candidate is entitled to exemption from election, a written consent from the candidate must be attached to the proposal.
• The proposal must be submitted no later than 12 noon, 12 March, 2026. 

Submit your proposals by e-mail to gry.parker@uib.no with copy to elisabeth.holba@uib.no The written proposal must be attached.

You can find information on the current board here.

You can vote if you fulfill the following requirements:

Temporary academic staff employed in a minimum 50% position for the coming 12 months, or staff that have been consecutively employed for at least 12 months.

• Gr. B - Please check if you are eligible to vote. The register will be updated in March.  
• Gr. D - Please check if you are eligible to vote. The register will be updated in March. 

If you cannot find your name in the electoral register, please let us know by sending an e-mail to: valgstyret@uib.no