Two more links concerning Oslo panel on ethics of petroleum research

I have previously provided the link to video of a panel presentation on the ethics of petroleum research held in Oslo on October 23rd. Here's a link to video of the panel discussion that followed, the same day - and here to the webpage presenting the whole event, with these two links included.

"Umwelt codes" - preliminary title for Jena paper

Today I have decided on a preliminary title for my abstract/paper for the 2nd international conference in code biology, which is to be held in Jena, Germany, June 16-20th 2015: "Umwelt codes".

Letter to the editor on oil and restructuring published on UiS debate pages

Today a letter to the editor I wrote yesterday has been published on the debate webpage of University of Stavanger. The letter, which is quite long (chronicle length), is entitled "Olje og omstilling: Ti spørsmål om fremtidens UiS" [Oil and restructuring: Ten questions concerning the future University of Stavanger].

Link to video of open debate meeting of the ethics of petroleum research

Video from the open debate meeting arranged at Litteraturhuset in Oslo October 23rd on the research ethics of petroleum research is available online, here. I watched it today - Ragnhild Freng Dahle and Peter Haugan gave excellent presentations.

See also:

NENT to arrange open meeting in Oslo on the research ethics of petroleum research

Review conducted for Czech Science Foundation

A while ago I conducted a peer-review for Czech Science Foundation.

Animal protection book review revised

A few days ago I revised my book review of Rune Ellefsen's book  Med lov til å pine: Om bruk og beskyttelse av dyr, an academic, Norwegian animal protection book. No major changes, mainly a few clarifications.

See also:

Book review of Rune Ellefsen's book finished

Revision of course description - bachelor thesis in child welfare

Today I have (from my side) conducted revision of the course description for bachelor thesis in child welfare, with research method, at University of Stavanger's Department of social studies. The revision, which is to be processed by the administration, will be valid for the academic year 2015-2016.

Book presentation of The Semiotics of Animal Representations held in Stavanger

On Friday October 24th I participated in a book presentation of The Semiotics of Animal Representations, along with Kadri Tüür, in University of Stavanger's Bokkafeen. The event was organised by the research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis" (EMP151).

2nd research seminar of EMP151, "Representation of animals", held

On Friday October 24th I took part in arranging the 2nd research seminar of the Norwegian research group of "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis" (EMP151), "Representation of animals". The seminar featured presentations by Kadri Tüür, Kristin Armstrong Oma, Paul Thibault and myself. 5-6 people attended.

Norwegian grant meeting attended

On Friday October 24th I participated in a meeting of the Norwegian research group of EMP151 "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis", for which I am the Norwegian Project leader. The meeting followed the 2nd research seminar of the Norwegian research group of EMP151, "Representation of animals".

"Animal agency in politics and eco-existentialism" presented in Stavanger

Friday October 24th I gave my talk "Animal agency in politics and eco-existentialism" (45 minutes including discussion) at the 2nd research seminar of the Norwegian research group of EMP151 "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis", entitled "Representation of animals". 

See also the abstract of my talk.

Another planning meeting (Reykjavik)

Today I participated in another planning meeting for the Reykjavik personnel trip of University of Stavanger's Department of social studies, which will take place March 24-27th 2015.

Lecture on hermeneutics

Today I lectured (2 hours) in the course Examen Philosophicum at University of Stavanger's Department of social studies, mainly on hermeneutics.

Calendar article for 2nd EMP151 research seminar

Here is the University of Stavanger calendar article about the research seminar "Representation of animals" (October 24th 2014), the second research seminar of the research project "Animals in changing environments".

Human-animal relations debate in Oslo

On October 29th a debate is arranged on Kulturhistorisk museum [Museum of cultural history], Oslo, entitled "Hvem er villest i landet her?" [Who is the wildest one in the country here?], named after our 2013 book. My fellow editor Ragnhild Sollund is one of the participants.

Abstract: "Proto-language in wolves and dogs"

I have co-written an abstract, "Proto-language in wolves and dogs", with Paul Thibault, in connection with a prospective collection of chapters (upon invitation). 

Presentation of The Semiotics of Animal Representations in UiS Bokkafeen

Tomorrow, Friday October 24th, I will contribute during a book presentation in the University of Stavanger Book café (Bokkafeen), at 15.15-15.45, along with Kadri Tüür, my fellow editor of The Semiotics of Animal Representations.

More info on the webpage of the research project "Animals in changing environments", specifically here.

UiS news: Research seminar 2014 "Representation of animals", etc.

The Research seminar 2014 ("Representation of animals") of the Norwegian research group of the Norwegian-Estonian research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis", which is held tomorrow, October 24th, along with a presentation of the book The Semiotics of Animal Representations, is advertised on the news page of University of Stavanger.

So is the 2015 conference "Animals in the Anthropocene".

"Animal agency in politics and eco-existentialism" scheduled for presentation October 24th

My talk "Animal agency in politics and eco-existentialism" has been scheduled for presentation at 13.45-14.30 on Friday October 24th, during the 2nd research seminar of the Norwegian research group of the research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis", entitled "Representation of animals".

The full programme for this research seminar is available on the Norwegian research group's UiS webpage. The programme also features presentations by Kadri Tüür, Paul Thibault and Kristin Armstrong Oma.

To guest-lecture at University of Oslo (again)

I have agreed to guest-lecture at University of Oslo's Department of criminology and sociology of law, on February 11th 2015, in a course on green criminology. The title of my talk is "Menneskeveldet - menneskets globale økologiske hierarki" (also offered previous years).

This year Ragnhild Sollund and Rune Ellefsen are course coordinators.

Invited to guest-edit SI of Zeitschrift für Semiotik on biosemiotic ethics

I have been invited to guest-edit a special issue of Zeitschrift für Semiotik on biosemiotic ethics. Jonathan Beever has agreed to be a co-editor. However, I have not heard back from the editors of Zeitschrift für Semiotik since I was invited more than a month back.

Open meeting on possible university fusion attended

Today I have attended an open meeting at the University of Stavanger on possible university fusion. The process of restructuring in the Norwegian higher education sector has been initiated by the Ministry of Education. Today's open meeting was chaired by the rector of UiS, Marit Boyesen.

Personnell meeting attended

Today I have attended the personnell meeting at University of Stavanger's Department of social studies. The topic today was the personell trip next March. Our chosen destination is Reykjavik, Iceland.

4 more hours of teaching, seminar style

Today I have taught for 4 hours - 2 x 2 hour seminar (Examen philosophicum). 2/3 of my teaching in this course this autumn is now completed.

Introductory chapter on Uexküll's Umwelt theory completed

A couple of days ago, or more precisely at 6 a.m. yesterday, I finished the book chapter "Introduction: The relevance of Uexküll's Umwelt theory today", which will serve as the introductory chapter of Carlo Brentari's book The Discovery of the Umwelt: Jakob von Uexküll between Biosemiotics and Theoretical Biology (to be published by Springer).

"Beyond sentience" chapter proof-read

Not long ago I took part in proof-reading my book chapter co-written with Jonathan Beever, "Beyond sentience: Biosemiotics as foundation for animal and environmental ethics" (in John Hadley and Elisa Aaltola (eds): Animal ethics and Philosophy: Questioning the Orthodoxy, to appear on Rowman & Littlefield Publishers in December).

6 more hours of teaching

Today I have taught for 6 hours - a 2 hour lecture, on philosophy of science, and 2 x 2 hours of seminars.

Subproject established for 2015 Animals in the Anthopocene conference

A subproject (delprosjekt) has now been formally established at University of Stavanger for the EMP151 conference "Animals in the Anthropocene: Human-animal relations in a changing semiosphere". The subproject sorts under the research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis", for which I am the Norwegian Project leader. Establishing a subproject implies that seperate accounts will be held for the conference.

"Animals in changing environments" webpages updated

Recently I have updated both the Norwegian and the English language version of the webpage of the Norwegian research group of the research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis".

Updates concern among other these two new subpages:

2015 conference

Research seminars (Research seminar 2014)

Animal protection award ceremony in Oslo attended

Monday evening I attended the award event of Dag S. Stiansens stiftelse, Stiansen-prisen, at Grand Hotel in Oslo, on behalf of Minding Animals Norway (along with three others). NORECOPA, working for replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experiments, got this year's award. Minding Animals Norway and other receivers of project funding (MAN got funding for the Norwegian Animal Ethics Conference 2014) from the foundation were also celebrated, and given flowers.

Lecture on epistemology given

Monday two days ago I lectured in the course Examen Philosophicum at University of Stavanger's Department of social studies (2 hours). The topic was epistemology (including Kant, Aristotle, Plato, Hume).

To grade more exam papers for University of Agder (Ex.fac.)

As I have previously mentioned, I have earlier this autumn agreed to grade exam papers in Examen Philosophicum (course code EX-100) for University of Agder's Department of Religion, Philosophy and History. 

Today I have, in addition, agreed to grade exam papers in the course Examen Facultatum, general version (course code EX-101). This Spring I graded papers in another version of Examen Facultatum, EX-102, the humanities version.

"What is animal agency?" accepted for oral presentation at MAC3, Delhi

I have just been informed by the MAC3 (Minding Animals Conference 3) 2015 Secretariat, that MAC3's Programme Committee has selected my abstract "What is animal agency?" for oral presentation. Minding Animals Conference 3 will be held in Delhi, India, January 13th-20th 2015, and is arranged by Minding Animals International and hosted by the Wildlife Trust of India in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

"Mentions of animals in Norwegian political party programs" accepted for oral presentation at MAC3, Delhi

I have just been informed by the MAC3 (Minding Animals Conference 3) 2015 Secretariat, that MAC3's Programme Committee has selected my abstract "Mentions of animals in Norwegian political party programs" for oral presentation. Minding Animals Conference 3 will be held in Delhi, India, January 13th-20th 2015, and is arranged by Minding Animals International and hosted by the Wildlife Trust of India in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

A day at the office

Today I have been at my office at University of Stavanger (in town since yesterday, now on my way home). No teaching this week.

Referred to in commentary by Green Youth/Green Party representative Lage Nøst

On June 28 I was mentioned in a letter to the editor/commentary written by Lage Nøst, secretary of the Green Party of Stavanger and member of the leadership (arbeidsutvalg) of Green Youth Norway, and published in the Norwegian regional daily Rogalands avis. The commentary is entitled "Den som tier samtykker" [The one who remains silent agrees], and addresses the lack of debate on the research ethics of petroleum research among employees and students at University of Stavanger. He refers to my attempt to challenge students at UiS to discuss this.

See also NENT's PDF document on media coverage of the debate on the research ethics of petroleum research, pages 52-53.

NENT to arrange open meeting in Oslo on the research ethics of petroleum research

Norway's National Committee for Research Ethics in Science and Technology (NENT) has announced the programme of an open meeting on the research ethics of petroleum research, "Petroleumsforskning og etikk: Hvor går universitetene nå?" [Petroleum research and ethics: Where do the universities go from here?]. The meeting will take place at Litteraturhuset in Oslo on October 23rd at 12-16. Marit Boyesen, rector of University of Stavanger, and Peter Haugan are among the participants.

See also:
Mentioned six times in NENT media coverage document

Mentioned six times in NENT media coverage document

Norway's National Committee for Research Ethics in Science and Technology (NENT) has published a PDF document on media coverage of the debate on the research ethics of petroleum research (via Opoint presseklipp). Totalling 324 pages, the document contains 267 news stories (including letters to the editor etc.) from the period November 22nd 2012 to August 28th 2014.

I am mentioned pp. 52, 115, 129, 264, 277 and 279.

New and reformed Editorial Board of Biosemiotics

A couple of weeks ago the other Editors-in-Chief of Biosemiotics (Alexei Sharov and Timo Maran) and myself appointed the members of the new and revised Editorial board of the journal. The new Editorial Board (Advisory Board and Editorial Board have been merged) counts 28 members, compared with 41 members in the old boards combined.

We have intentionally aimed to arrive at a somewhat smaller editorial board. In the process we asked current (now old) members of the boards to signal whether they were interested in remaining in the Editorial Board, and invited new candidatures. All the appointed members of the new Editorial Board have a track record in biosemiotics.

The new list of Editorial Board members will soon appear on the journal homepage, and will also appear in printed issues from #3/2014 (December 2014) onwards.

Statutes of the Annual Biosemiotic Achievement Award finalized

A few days ago, on October 1st, the other Editors-in-Chief of Biosemiotics (Alexei Sharov and Timo Maran) and myself finalized the statutes of a new biosemiotic prize, previously called "The Biosemiotic Discovery Prize" (see previous posts), after having received suggestions this summer from participants at the 14th International Gathering in Biosemiotics (London June 30 - July 4th 2014). The final name of the title is "The Annual Biosemiotic Achievement Award". The prize statutes have been distributed to members of the editorial board of Biosemiotics and to the International Society for Biosemiotic Studies (ISBS), and will shortly appear online.

Two October 24th events announced: Research seminar "Representation of animals"; book presentation

In the same email that announced the first call for papers for the conference "Animals in the Anthropocene: Human-animal relations in a changing semiosphere" (University of StavangerSeptember 17-19, 2015) yesterday, I informed about two events which are to take place at the University of Stavanger on Friday October 24th:

* the 2nd research seminar of the Norwegian research group of the research project "Animals in changing environments", titled "Representation of animals" (10.15-14.45) 

* presentation of the book The Semiotics of Animal Representations in Bokkafeen, UiS. at 15.15-15.45, featuring Kadri Tüür (University of Tartu) and myself.

These events too will shortly be announced on the homepage of the research project "Animals in changing environments".

First call for papers for "Animals in the Anthropocene" conference now being distributed

The first call for papers for the conference "Animals in the Anthropocene: Human-animal relations in a changing semiosphere" (University of Stavanger September 17-19, 2015) was yesterday distributed to all scientific staff members of University of Stavanger. It will shortly be made available online via the research project "Animals in changing environments".

Book review of Rune Ellefsen's book finished

Yesterday I finished and submitted my book review of Rune Ellefsens book Med lov til å pine: Om bruk og beskyttelse av dyr, an academic, Norwegian animal protection book.

Reference:

Tønnessen, Morten, forthcoming. Rune Ellefsen 2013. Med lov til å pine: Om bruk og beskyttelse av dyr. Oslo: Inspirator Forlag/Fritt Forlag. Book review. Sosiologi i dag (Special Issue on „Miljøsosiologi“ [Environmental sociology]).