UNC Delegation Visits Sampol

At the end of April, the Department of Comparative Politics (Sampol) welcomed colleagues from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH): Katie Lindner, Executive Director of the Center for European Studies (CES), and Sarah Hutchison, Associate Director of the TransAtlantic Masters (TAM) programme. Their visit to Bergen from 27 April to 3 May 2026 marked the conclusion of a four-year agreement between our institutions and provided a good opportunity to reflect on the collaboration so far.

Over the past few years, Sampol and CES have worked closely together to facilitate student and staff exchanges in both directions. This collaboration has been organized through the CONTEST project (“The Politics of Contestation in Europe and the US”), which brings together research and teaching on political conflict, mobilization, and polarization across the Atlantic.

A key aim of the project has been to strengthen student mobility and build links across our study programmes. Through CONTEST, a substantial number of students have taken part in exchange between UiB and UNC, supported by dedicated mobility funding. These exchanges have worked well and have contributed to a steady flow of students between Bergen and Chapel Hill at both bachelor-, master- and PhD-level.

This spring, three TAM students spent the semester at UiB, joining the broader group of UNC students in Bergen. At the same time, Sampol students continue to travel to Chapel Hill, and feedback from both sides suggests that the exchange has been academically and socially rewarding.

During their visit, Lindner and Hutchison met with staff, students, and university leadership. One of the highlights was an informal gathering where current TAM students in Bergen met with UiB students preparing to go on exchange to UNC, as well as those who have recently returned. The event gave students a chance to share experiences and expectations, and to exchange practical advice. These conversations are an important part of the collaboration, as they provide insight into how students experience the exchange, and help us further develop the programme. They also illustrate the value of maintaining close contact between our two institutions.

The visit also included time to explore campus and student life in Bergen, including a tour of the city-center campus and a visit to student housing at Fantoft. We were pleased to be able to introduce our guests to both the academic and social environments at UiB, as well as to some of the department’s history and traditions.

Overall, the visit confirmed the strong relationship between Sampol and CES. The collaboration has developed into a thriving partnership with good mobility in both directions and regular academic contact. We appreciate the continued cooperation with our colleagues at UNC Chapel Hill and look forward to building further on this foundation in the years ahead.