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Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities

SVT's rules and regulations

Below you'll find SVT's current rules and regulations.

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Rules and Regulations for Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities

Approved by the University Board of Directors 15.2.2007

1.  Mission Statement

The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities is an interdisciplinary and interfaculty institution that is responsible for research, teaching and disseminating knowledge within the theory of science at the University of Bergen, Norway. This includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks: 

  • The Centre shall carry out research and the training of researchers in the theory of science.
  • The Centre is responsible for implementing and carrying out the teaching component within the theory of science in the training of researchers at the University of Bergen. This shall be done in cooperation with all the Faculties.
  • The Centre shall offer courses in the theory of science and ethics at the researcher level, usually in cooperation with other academic communities.
  • The Centre shall actively promote debate regarding issues within the theory of science, and, to the degree in which funding permits, the Centre shall be at the disposal of other academic communities at the University of Bergen in questions relating to the theory of science, in addition to contributing to training in the theory of science and disseminating knowledge at regional, national and international levels.

2.  Administrative structure, administrative organs and management   

The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities is administratively under the Faculty of Humanities.

The University’s Research Committee is the highest advisory body for primary curriculum for the academic activities at the Centre, including instruction in the theory of science in the training of researchers. The Centre provides a yearly report to the Research Committee on its activities. The Centre has observer status in the Research Committee in matters regarding instruction in the theory of science and ethics in the training of researchers.

The Centre has:

  • A Director
  • Staff Meetings

The Directoris responsible for the Centre’s daily operation, strategic choices and priorities, personnel and finances. Moreover the director is primarily responsible for the Centre’s academic results, in addition to having the competence to provide recommendations in employment matters. Beyond this the director’s competence is stipulated in the directives or delegation resolutions from the Faculty of Humanities Board.

The Centre’s director is a public-sector scientist who has a high level of competence in research, normally at the professorial level. This is a four year position with the option to extend the appointment. The period of employment is not to exceed more than a total of twelve years. The director is hired by University Board after being recommended by the Faculty of Humanities Board. The Centre shall appoint one or two of its staff members to participate in all stages of the hiring process. The University Research Committee shall also have the opportunity to take part in the hiring process and present their views before the hiring takes place.

The Director

The director shall make certain that all staff members and others affiliated with the Centre are heard and given the opportunity to decide upon matters that arise. A key instrument used to achieve this goal is the staff meeting.

The Staff Meeting

The Staff Meeting serves as an advisory body for the director in matters regarding the Centre’s primary activities and other important matters, in addition to matters concerning the daily goings-on at the centre. The staff meeting shall function as an informational and contact organ between the director and the staff and others who work at the Centre. All who are employed by the Centre or who have the Centre as their workplace have participation and voting privileges at the staff meetings. The director holds frequent staff meetings, at least three times a semester.

Staff members can consider and express their opinions in matters concerning the organisation and planning of the Centre’s activities, decisions concerning the use of resources, the budget and finances. The director may also request that staff members comment on any matter whatsoever.

The staff meeting is not an advisory organ for matters concerning hiring and other matters concerning individual persons.

3. Finances

The Centre receives its basic funding from the Faculty of Humanities, from other Faculties with faculty-specific positions, projects and other agreements, and by outside financing. In order to guarantee a secure economic basis and autonomy for the Centre, the University’s Research Council in connection with ordinary budget negotiations can in addition directly earmark funds to the Centre.

4. Voting 

Employees and those with short-term contracts with the Centre have voting privileges with the Faculty in which they are employed.