UiB Innovation Day: Celebrating 200 Years of Research and Innovation

with Professor Øyvind Frette, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Bergen

(in English)

Michael Doser is a senior research physicist at CERN and MIT, specializing in antimatter and quantum sensors. He is co-founder and spokesperson for the AEGIS experiment, which aims to measure the gravitational interaction between matter and antimatter. This work requires building bridges between particle physics and other research fields such as atomic physics, gravitation, materials science, and physical chemistry.

The University of Bergen (UiB) has collaborated with CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, for over 70 years. CERN is not only a hub for fundamental research — it is also a driving force for technological innovation and international collaboration. The World Wide Web (WWW) was developed here, and other groundbreaking innovations from the lab have influenced everything from artificial intelligence to cancer treatment and climate modeling. Michael Doser will speak about how research at CERN can drive innovation in industry and society. He will also provide insight into emerging technologies that are still nascent, but which will form the backbone of future experiments and industrial processes.

(in English)

Short talks about inspiring innovation activities at UiB: 

1.    Uncovering the Legal Relevance of Mental Disorders Through Innovative Research Approaches
Professor Linda Gröning, Faculty of Law

2.    BearCoat
BearCoat is a ski wax pilot project inspired by how ice slides right off polar bear fur, even after icy swims in the Arctic. Analyses have identified components in the fat from polar bear hair with promising de-icing properties. These are, of course, natural, biodegradable, and free from environmentally harmful PFAS substances, that unfortunately continue to appear on ski trails.
Professor Øyvind Halskau, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology. 

3.    Clinic of the Future: Designing Dialogues for Care
The Clinic of the Future is an invitation to engage in dialogue about what the future of care could be. In this project, I explore new, art- and design-inspired communication methods, with the goal of questioning, challenging, and reimagining how we practice care within medicine. Can these methods help us better understand the care needs of patients? Can they help us shape the future of care?
Amy Van Den Hooven, Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design

4.    SAMLA – Digitisation of Norwegian Folklore Archives
Professor Kyrre Kverndokk, Faculty of Humanities

5.    Project JellySafe: Outsmarting Jellyfish to Protect Salmon Farms
Project JellySafe addresses the growing threat of harmful jellyfish blooms to Norwegian salmon farming. By combining marine biology, technology, and aquaculture expertise, it develops innovative tools for detection, monitoring, and mitigation to protect fish health.
Dr. Luis Martell, Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen

6.    DogBiTE, a platform for immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer in dogs and humans
Professor Emmet Mc Cormack, Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine

7.    When AI Joins the Team: Inez as a Creative Collaborator
Inez is a dialogic, talking chatbot designed to support and enhance creative co-creation in group work. Developed in partnership with Capgemini, Inez is part of the AI-CREATE research project, which explores how generative AI is transforming creativity, learning, and innovation at individual, team, and organisational levels.
Dr Ingunn Johanne Ness, SLATE, Faculty of Psychology

8.    Innovating Child Protection: The Role of Animals and Children's Voices
Children and young people involved in child welfare cases often experience that it can be unsafe and difficult to express their opinions. In collaboration with practitioners, researchers are working to test methods that improve children's participation in the child welfare system. More information about the PARTICIPATION project. 
Professor Marit Skivenes, Department of Government, Faculty of Social Sciences

In celebration of the University Museum's 200th anniversary. From the world's oldest patient registry to a glimpse into the future of tissue engineering; from a tool to measure ocean currents to a method to tackle mobbing in schools; you will be presented a journey of how UiB research has changed - and will continue to change - the world for the better. 

(In English)

1. Experience-sharing on how research-based innovation leads to societal impact - meeting room Søndre Allmenning 1
In this session you will hear researchers and researchers-gone-entrepreneur tell about their innovation journeys:

• Christian Dölle, senior researcher in molecular biology at the University of Bergen and Haukeland University Hospital, is part of the Parkinson-therapeutic project exploring nicotinamide riboside (NR) as a potential disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson’s disease. His work helped lead to recent licensing deals and clinical trials aiming to slow disease progression. Read more about it here. 
• Ulrik Granheim is CEO and founder of Cognosic, a Bergen-based spin-out developing AI-driven tools for co-design and innovation. The company builds on research and has participated in UiB’s TILT program.

VIS TTO and TILT will present how they can help you on your innovation journey, and explore the entrepreneurial potential of your research in a mini crash course. 

2. How to start your own business, and why you should do it while you are a student - meeting room Nordre Allmenning 3
Great ideas are everywhere — but turning one into a real business while juggling studies can be challenging. GründerCampus and TILT-student invite you to a session designed to inspire and equip you to explore your own entrepreneurship potential. You’ll meet former students who pursued their idea and who will share insights from their journeys, lessons learned, and where they are today.

3. Green Research in Practice – Collaboration Between Universities and Industry in Western Norway - Storsalen 
How can researchers, students, and businesses work together to develop sustainable solutions? In this session, you’ll be introduced to the Green Region Vestland initiative and learn more about the 19 industrial hubs for green transition and future value creation in Western Norway. We’ll also explore how new research projects in collaboration with industry can emerge through the FORREGION program by Vestland County Council, with funding instruments such as competence brokering, pilot projects, and “Researcher on loan”. Join us and discover how you can contribute to the green innovations of the future.

(in Norwegian)

These days, society expects universities to contribute to innovation. Many academic employees find this expectation challenging and hope that it will eventually go away. But the expectation of application is not going to disappear. The university holds enormous potential for innovation through all the knowledge we produce and all the young people we send into the workforce. We must complement our strong research and teaching with equally strong innovation.
In this session, Professor Lars Nyre from the Faculty of Social Sciences will present a proposal on how the university can become more innovative. Professor Sigrunn Eliassen, Pro-Rector for Education, and Professor Kjell-Morten Myhr, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Collaboration, will share their perspectives.
Read more about Nyre’s proposal in the article “Help! How Can We Become Innovative?” in Khrono, 28 March 2025.

(in English)

UiB idé gives employees and students the opportunity to apply for support to test and develop good innovation ideas. Get to know this year's winning projects.

(in Norwegian)

In this session, you’ll meet Anne-Kjersti Fahlvik, Executive Director for Innovation in Industry and the Public Sector at the Research Council of Norway, and Ola Elvestuen, Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party (V), in conversation with Øyvind Frette, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Bergen.
1.    How can universities contribute to innovation, and what is the role of the Research Council in this area? Presented by Anne-Kjersti Fahlvik.
2.    Research and innovation in a changing world, presented by Ola Elvestuen.
3.    Q&A session, featuring all three speakers in an open dialogue with the audience.

After the formal programme, there will be an opportunity for mingling and socialising until 16:00.

Those who want to continue, can look forward to the main student event under the InnovasjonsukenOPP that will take place at 16:30 at Marineholmen: PopOPP. 

UiB innovation projects you can meet at a stand at the Innovation Day:

1. FluidFlower – a powerful experimental and communication tool showing what happens to CO2 stored deep below the ocean’s surface. This tool is developed by Professor Martin Fernø and his research group at the Faculty of Science and Technology at UiB.
2. Innovation handbook for students – a freely available learning resource for students, pupils, and others who want to learn about innovation. We are four students from the Bachelor's program in Media and Interaction Design who have worked together with Professor Lars Nyre to improve the material through proofreading, layout and creating an interactive version of the book. At our stand, you can explore both the book and the interactive version.
3. Novel Plasma Reactor for Synthesizing Diamond as Semiconductor Material – the project aims to solve the biggest obstacle in using diamonds as a semiconductor material: the ability to create diamond coatings over large areas. This will enable widespread use of diamond as a semiconductor material in industry. Katharina Hauer, PhD candidate at the Faculty of Science and Technology at UiB, leads the project which received support from UiB Idé this year.
4. PraXis – a digital learning platform for practical and experience-based learning. Professor Signe Stige leads this project in collaboration with students from the bachelor's program in Media and Interaction Design. The project received support from UiB Early Idea.
5. Demokratibasen – an innovative AI tool designed to automate and structure the work of covering local politics in Norway. The project is developed at the Centre for Investigative Journalism (SUJO) at UiB and received support from UiB Idé this year.
6. Fjordbyte – a UiB-born startup that uses AI to streamline grading and provide learning-enhancing feedback on short answers, helping educators save time and students receive better follow-up. Professor Olav Tenstad from the Faculty of Medicine leads the project, which received support from UiB Idé in 2024.
7. The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (GAMUT) – featuring two projects in music therapy presented by PhD candidates Marcus Aasely Ekløf and Jens-Erik Aasmundseth.
8. Two innovative student projects from the Department of Design, presented by Bachelor's students Håkon Sætran Blom and Kaja Nordahl from the Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design (KMD)
9. Centre for Research-Based Innovation MediaFutures – a world-class research center based in Bergen’s media city, dedicated to developing responsible AI-driven media technology for ethical and effective user engagement, content production, and audience understanding.

Services available to innovators at UiB and in Bergen: 

1. VIS - UiB's technology transfer company that supports researchers and students in evaluating the commercial potential of research results or business ideas.
2. Innovation Norway – chat with us about funding mechanisms and guidance from Innovation Norway for start-ups 
3. University Library – check if your research is cited in patents 
4. UiB Ferd Career Center for Early-Stage Researchers – chat with us about career guidance and courses for researchers
5. SAMMEN Career Centre - chat with us about career guidance and courses for students
6. GründerCampus  – a new initiative in Bergen aiming to build physical and social meeting places for students who want to start a business.
7. Kunnskapskommunen – an initiative from Helse Omsorg Vest that connects municipalities and research environments to improve knowledge-based health and care services.
8. Bergen Fellesverksted – A multidisciplinary makerspace/shared workshop with tools and equipment that can be used for, among other things, product development and small-scale production. The workshop offers a friendly creative community, and frequent courses are held on both equipment and techniques.
9. Akademika – check out a wide selection of books on innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.
    

• Grow your network: Meet potential partners from industry and the public sector, as well as researchers across faculties. This is a valuable opportunity to connect and initiate new collaborations.
   
• Gain insight into how you can further develop your innovation idea – and discover the support opportunities available along the way.
   
• Get inspired: Attend exciting talks, panel discussions and workshops focusing on how UiB’s research and innovation can help solve societal challenges. Topics such as social innovation, Living Labs and innovation methodologies will inspire new thinking in both research and teaching.
   
• Showcase your work: Take the opportunity to present your research projects and innovative ideas. The exhibition area provides a platform for displaying interesting prototypes and ongoing projects.