UiS permanent work contract received

Returning from Prague about a week ago, I found a signed version of my employment contract with University of Stavanger (full, permanent position as Associate professor of philosophy) in the mail that awaited me - signed, that is, not only by myself but also by Dean of Faculty of social sciences Einar Marburg. I start in the permanent position August 1st.

Unions, safety representative calling for prolongation of Head of department´s term

Today an email was sent to all faculty at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies, announcing that an attached letter had been sent to the Dean of Faculty of social sciences, Einar Marnburg, calling for prolongation of Einar Engebretsen´s term as functioning Head of department, until organizational changes have been carried out (see previous post). This would imply that a new Head of Department would not be appointed with effect from August 1st 2016, but only at some later point. The letter was sent on behalf of two unions and the department´s safety representative.

I am one of two applicants deemed qualified and currently being considered as Head of department of social studies (se previous posts).

No Vice Dean Tønnessen

My employment situation turns out to be too complicated for me to be considered for the position as Vice Dean for research for University of Stavanger´s Faculty of Social Sciences.

See also:

UiS Faculty of Social Sciences seeking Vice Dean for research

Election of UiS rector: Why I vote blank

The election of new University of Stavanger rector and pro-rector started today. I have voted - submitting a blank vote. I think that both candidates (Marit Boyesen and Einar Marburg) are too mainstream in their reasoning about university strategy.

Einar Marnburg is a straight-talker - that is a strength - and appears to call for fresh ideas about how to organize work at the university. However, he has not provided many substantial, specific fresh ideas himself during the electoral campaign, and his envisioned university strategy is on most key points very similar to that of Marit Boyesen. Marit Boyesen, on her side, is more experienced than Marburg on broader university policy issues, and has somewhat of an advantage regarding her ability to formulate measured policy ambitions, though her statements are often quite vague and sometimes not committing enough.

Rector candidates debating in UiS debate forum

The electoral campaigns ahead of the election of rector and pro-rector for University of Stavanger, starting October 27th, are reflected in several posts these days in the UiS debate forum, UiS Debatt, including from rector candidates Marit Boyesen and Einar Marnburg. 

Open meeting with Marnburg and Johnsen attended

Today I have attended an open meeting where two of the candidates at the election of rector for University of Stavanger, Dean Einar Marnburg and Head of Department Gro Johnsen, were presented, in dialogue with the audience. The meeting was targeted at Department of Health Studies and Department of Social Studies. I asked a few questions on the candidates´ thoughts about research, and the relation between rector and university director.

I have not decided who I will vote for, if anyone (the other candidates are Rector Marit Boyesen and Dag Husebø).

Two candidates for UiS rector

There are two candidates for rector of University of Stavanger ahead of upcoming elections - Marit Boyesen (with Dag Husebø as pro-rector), the current rector, and Einar Marburg (with Gro Johnsen as pro-rector), currently the Dean of Faculty of Social Science. The linked electoral programs are in Norwegian.

I happen to have met all four at different occasions.

Two meetings in relation to ToppForsk-UiS (program for excellence in research)

Yesterday I met with Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences Einar Marburg and then with Head of Department of Social Studies Svanaug Fjær to discuss my intention to apply within University of Stavanger´s program for excellence in research (for "young" researchers, under 45), ToppForsk-UiS. Application deadline is February 1st.