Election lost

I lost the election of representative for temporarily employed education and research staff with a big margin, winning only 6 votes out of 54. Kristian Thorsen was reelected, Clemens Furnes was reelected as 1st deputy representative and I as 2nd deputy representative for the period 2014-2015 (Autumn to Spring).

See results here.

See also:

Electoral program online at UiS webpage

National Committee for Research Ethics still considering research ethics of petroleum research

Norway's National Committee for Research Ethics in Science and Technology (NENT) decided on a much anticipated meeting Monday this week (April 28th) that their treatment of research ethics in the context of petroleum research will continue until June, when they will hold an extraordinary meeting to conclude on the subject. A statement will appear in mid-June.

I have been one of the researchers raising this debate. Due to my blog backlog I have not yet posted news on most of my activities (a chronicle by me and one co-written, a few interviews, etc.) in this context, but I hope to do so soon.

To be chair at Framing nature conference

I have, some weeks ago, agreed to be the chair of a session on the ongoing Framing nature conference (Tartu April 29-May 3), "Bio/Ecosemiotics: Signs of Life II", which will take place tomorrow, Saturday May 3rd at 9.30-11.00.

To be external examiner for UiO master thesis

I have agreed to be external examiner (one of two examiners) for a master thesis on eco-feminism at the University of Oslo. A grade will be given to the thesis, and then adjusted following an oral exam.

Book introduction at Framing nature conference: The Semiotics of Animal Representations

The edited anthology The Semiotics of Animal Representations, which will appear in a few weeks, published by Rodopi, will be presented during the conference "Framing nature: Signs, Stories and Ecologies of Meaning" (Tartu, April 29 - May 3). Specifically, my fellow editor Kadri Tüür and I will present the book during the conference's "Postgraduate reception, poster session and book exhibition", which will take place Tuesday April 29th at 18-19 (Struve 1 – room 244).

Animals qua sentient beings vs. resources paper scheduled for presentation May 3rd

The paper "Animals qua sentient beings vs. animals qua resources: a critical reading of the mentions of animals in Norwegian political party programs" has been scheduled for presentation at the conference "Framing nature: Signs, Stories and Ecologies of Meaning" (Tartu, April 29 - May 3). My presentation will take place Saturday May 3rd as part of the session "Philosophy and ethics" (14.30-16), at 14.30-15.00. 

See also:

EASLCE abstract (Tartu): "Animals qua sentient beings vs. animals qua resources"

EASLCE paper accepted for presentation

Abstract book for Framing nature conference

Abstract book for Framing nature conference

The abstract book of the conference "Framing nature: Signs, Stories and Ecologies of Meaning" (Tartu, April 29 - May 3), which begins tomorrow, has been published online.

My abstract "Animals qua sentient beings vs. animals qua resources: a critical reading of the mentions of animals in Norwegian political party programs" is to be found on pages 218-219. Furthermore, all names of presenters including mine are listed on p. 4, and on p. 3 our research project EMP151 (Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis) is listed as one of the conference's supporters.

See also:

EASLCE abstract (Tartu): "Animals qua sentient beings vs. animals qua resources"