Here you can read the presentations from the candidates in the 2025 election.

Norsk versjon: Kandidater til styrevalget - fast vitenskapelig ansatte

Back to Elections 2025 and Valgweb

Astrid Aksnes

Professor, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (IE)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

NTNU's biggest challenge is to maintain excellent research and quality in education although funding is being cut. We should be an attractive university at the forefront, which gives our students the tools to solve future challenges.

Administrative routines and education bureaucracy steal a lot of time. Routines should be simplified, committee work streamlined, and appointments made faster. Many academic staff have a very high work load, which means that they are not able to carry out their primary tasks in a satisfactory manner. This is especially demanding for young researchers who are building up their teaching portfolio and research activity. It is critical to support them so they develop their potential. They are the future.

I will:

• work to ensure that NTNU remains an attractive university for students and staff
• be a voice for academic staff, and contribute to a good environment and good working conditions
• especially support young researchers so they can develop their potential
• work to simplify administrative routines
• protect academic freedom

Eskild Narum Bakken

Assistant professor, Faculty of Engineering (IV)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

1. Economy is a main challenge. Core activities and status must be preserved through present changes. We shall continuously be a leading international university that employees and students are proud of.
2. NTNU is too centralized and bureaucratic. Academic groups, institutes and campuses should develop their own strategies, ownership of study programs and identity. This enhances motivation, quality and effectiveness, and is important for academic freedom. The board should ensure finances, working conditions and overall goals, not impose detailed regulation or collective values.
3. Beautiful surroundings are important, but planned buildings at NTNU are functionalist boxes. User surveys and neuropsychology show that people want and need something else. Campus should make us happy, healthy and give identity. Plans for Gløshaugen do not comply with aesthetic provisions of the Planning and Building Act. Facades can be redesigned.

My background is from academia and private sector. Employed at NTNU for 15 years, focusing on teaching and publication. Study program coordinator for online studies, pioneering projects in online education. Private architectural firm since 1995, co-owner of real estate company, experienced in project management. Involved in campus development at Gjøvik. Former board member of several national and regional organizations. Lectures and consultations in architecture for governmental and public organizations from state to municipal level.

Tone Frost Bathen

Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MH)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

There is a significant gap between NTNU central administration and the departments, where the core tasks are carried out. The expertise and knowledge within the departments are NTNU's greatest resources, and to achieve its ambitions, NTNU needs motivated (as well as creative, critical, constructive, and respectful) employees. Therefore, the departments must regain their financial and strategic autonomy. A crucial prerequisite for making the best strategic decisions is clarity and transparency regarding internal financial flows. Greater local autonomy is also important for good career paths, within and outside academia.

My heart beats for the young talents – they are the ones who will take the world (and NTNU) forward! Reduced funding for universities requires prioritization of time. I question, for example, the abundance of hearings with short deadlines and reporting whose use is unclear. Genuine involvement triggers motivation, but can we rethink how involvement should be implemented? I want to be a representative for the grassroots, and I am proud to be an NTNU employee. Knowledge has never been more important, and NTNU's employees at the departments are the key. I am passionate about ensuring that this resource receives greater recognition and better opportunities to fulfill their tasks.

In addition to 10 years in the department's leadership group, I have experience in national research policy through roles in various committees (e.g. RCN, the Norwegian Cancer Society).

Trygve Brautaset

Professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences (NV)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

The biggest challenge facing NTNU in the future is related to good resource management in a time characterized by great uncertainty related to funding. In recent years, allocations from the state have been reduced, I think this will continue, and I find that research is not the most preservation-worthy when it is to be cut.

I am particularly interested in research and the added value of it. NTNU is Norway's largest university, and we should have the ambition to also be the best, and then our research must be strengthened. This applies to the development of excellent research groups and young research talents, research-based innovation, as well as research-based teaching. This requires targeted and efficient resource management, incentives and facilitation for increased external funding, as well as strategic prioritization of research. I strongly believe that strengthening research will increase NTNU's reputation internationally, contribute positively to the economy and the Sustainable Development Goals, and also strengthen our education.

I have a broad background with 10 years at Sintef, have led MT Biotechnology at NTNU, am head of the Centre for Digital Life Norway, am deputy head of TSO Health and Life Sciences, and am deputy chair of the Norwegian Biotechnology Council. I like to see things in perspective and to seek advice and inspiration from my surroundings.

Mohammad Derawi

Professor, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (IE)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

NTNU faces significant challenges and must balance financial priorities with quality in teaching, research, and the working environment. It is crucial that the university remains an attractive workplace and an inclusive study environment for both staff and students. All employees should experience NTNU as a safe and predictable workplace, free from the threat of constant budget cuts and uncertainty. Predictability and security are essential for retaining and motivating highly qualified staff.

I will advocate for proposals that ensure stability, open communication, and long-term planning in transition processes. To strengthen NTNU’s competitiveness, I will promote a bonus system for employees securing external project funding. This will allow all staff to contribute to important projects and increase motivation for innovation and development, while also strengthening NTNU’s financial foundation. It is also important to enhance the student environment.

I aim to make all three campuses vibrant meeting places, where students have access to affordable welfare services: reduced food prices, social spaces, and a variety of academic and social activities. Financial constraints should not be a barrier to well-being, inclusion, or participation. Diversity and inclusion must be central to NTNU’s strategy. Regardless of background, gender, or disability, all students and staff should feel seen, heard, valued, and supported to a significant extent.

Terje Andreas Eikemo

Professor, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences (SU)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

I care about three important issues: that our employees thrive in their jobs, that our researchers have the freedom and necessary support to develop new knowledge and innovation, and that our science is shared openly. Only in this way can we realize our vision of a better world.

Geopolitical instability, the rise of AI, as well as a relatively unpredictable national education and research policy are among the challenges we face. It is therefore crucial that NTNU has a wise board that can ensure we address these challenges responsibly. This involves good financial management, how we facilitate the use of AI in research and education, and that we maintain a good balance between basic and applied research. We need to both develop fields of study and solve real problems.

Co-location at Gløshaugen is among our major challenges the coming years I have long-standing collaborations with environments from all NTNU’s faculties and campuses, and I want to use my experience to support NTNU’s goal of increased interdisciplinarity. Co-location may be difficult for many but also presents many opportunities for academic gains.

In science, I find motivation in social, economic, and political justice. As a board member, I will carry these same values with me. I am deeply committed to my university and want everyone to have equal opportunities to succeed in what they are passionate about. This means I will work towards preserving our academic freedom in research, teaching, and dissemination. Everyone should look forward to studying or work at NTNU. Thriving people are the heart of thriving universities.

Anne C. Elster

Professor, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (IE)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

Challenges:

• handle reduced funding & external forces
• maintain good work environment, employee representation & academic freedom
• push for decentralized solutions given NTNU's breadth
• combat time thieves
• obtain good offices, large enough teaching rooms, labs, meeting rooms & parking

The campus project in Trondheim may exceed budget, so must fight for private offices and labs that facilitate student contact and research projects. If employees choose home offices to function, collaborations and work environments suffer! Reward green solutions but also have enough parking for families with young children and special needs, get better HR and case systems, and protect our cultural heritage and collections.

As 1st alternate on the NTNU board, I am a strong voice for employees in Gjøvik, Trondheim and Ålesund. My research includes using AI to optimize performance of real-time systems & large complex computers. A WP leader in an interdisciplinary SFI my background is a strength on a board for a large and complex university that is becoming more and more digitalized. Experience from excellent research environments in the USA and EU projects and actively involved in international award committees for IEEE and SIAM. I am also passionate about teaching: 105 students took my 4th year parallel programming class F2024.

Vote for a fearless representative who is passionate about a good and interdisciplinary teaching and research culture that promotes "Knowledge for a better world"!

Torberg Falch

Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management (ØK)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

NTNU has a large impact. The knowledge we develop is important for technology, businesses, welfare services, and politics. I believe NTNU has an even greater potential than achieved today. Excellent staff is essential for NTNU. We must recruit the brightest researchers and the most dedicated teachers, as well as retain the ones we have. In all NTNU matters, one must ask how they will affect the attractiveness of NTNU as a workplace.

NTNU has become centralized. However, the academic communities are closest to seeing the best ways to improve educational quality and the conditions for research, dissemination, and innovation. Therefore, decisions should be moved closer to the departments, the study programs, and the staff.

I have a varied background. The most important insight comes from being professor of Economics for several years. In addition, I have been department chair at two different departments (Economics and Teacher Education) and vice-dean. Thus, I have in-depth insight into how NTNU works. In addition, I have experience in national policy development from governmental appointments. I believe these experiences make it easier to have an impact on the work of the board.

It is geopolitically turbulent times. Science is an important preparedness measure. At the same time, there is an uncertain and fragile financial situation at NTNU. The board’s work on making the finances predictable is essential for the organization’s focus on scientific development.

Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair

Professor, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences (SU)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

Academia is in a challenging, unfamiliar period of downsizing. The sector will be downsized, but this must happen with the participation of employees and with an emphasis on the university's identity as a free knowledge-developing institution. It is therefore crucial to focus on the specific social mission: teaching, but also research, dissemination and innovation. A balance must be found between teaching and research, despite the latter no longer generating income. Actively safeguarding free research will be crucial for universities in the future. The drive towards becoming teaching schools with primarily external research funding will harm new, free and creative knowledge development. Distracting political sidetracks, which consume resources and time, must be curbed. We must actively safeguard academic freedom in an increasingly polarized climate of debate. All of this will lead to more pressure on young researchers, with fewer of them obtaining permanent positions in academia and having more stressful years early in their careers.

I am very passionate about teaching and love teaching, but I fear that independent research will be under pressure in the future. Throughout my career, I have supported young researchers both through my role as a board member of the national program for young research leaders in psychology and NTNU's Mentoring Program for female associate professors. Further support for young researchers will be essential for future talent development.

Ronny Kjelsberg

Assistant professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences (NV)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

1. NTNU is the result of several mergers. Everyone who has become part of NTNU brought with them important missions that we must uphold. When we are under economic pressure, it is easy to take steps that undermine some of our goals. Then NTNU needs a board that remembers all our core tasks.
2. We are in a precarious situation for research and higher education in Norway. Alternating governments have implemented cuts across the sector, where the entire stability and long-term perspective on which our social mission is completely dependent has been undermined. We need a board that knows the political circles, the political game, that can hold our elected officials accountable for the consequences of the actions they take, and that itself works to give academic communities financial predictability in their internal dispositions.
3. We see from colleagues in the US that science and academic freedom are under attack. This particularly affects researchers in the fields of climate, gender, racism and other topics that have been politicized through the right-wing authoritarian culture war of recent years. At the same time higher education in Gaza is eradicated by similar political forces. We need a board that firmly cracks down on attempts to interfere with academic freedom for political or economic reasons, and spearheads international solidarity with colleagues under attack.

Eline Drury Løvlien

Associate professor, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences (SU)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

One of the key issues NTNU will face is the financial challenges impacting the university sector, affecting all parts of the system. This is evident in teaching, where reduced study portfolios and cuts in resources are becoming the norm, as well as in the expectation that academic staff use research time to secure external funding. We are already seeing the results of this trend, with the Norwegian university sector increasingly driven by profit motives and corporate logic. While not a new challenge, it now forces us to confront bigger ethical questions, such as NTNU's collaborations with companies like Equinor and weapons manufacturers like Kongsberg Gruppen. As a university rooted in democratic values, ethical awareness, and sustainability, NTNU must ensure that research, knowledge development, and private collaborations align with its core values. Even—and especially—in times of financial pressure, we must address these issues. It is crucial that governing bodies are seen as legitimate and transparent, both for staff and students.

Balancing economic constraints with "Knowledge for a better world" is a priority for me as a board member. As an academic at a knowledge-producing institution, I am committed to fostering a robust NTNU that upholds its values while navigating these challenges.

Nina Skjæret Maroni

Associate, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MH)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

I have a strong passion for education and research, and I wish to contribute to shaping the future of our university. One of the biggest challenges ahead is to ensure sufficient funding for our core activities, which are education and research. This requires a strategic approach at all levels of the university, as well as openness and dialogue between all levels in the system. After several years of financial difficulties, for some more than others, it is important that we work on resource allocation, not only to the university sector but also within our own university to meet the societal missions we collectively have.

NTNU aims to be a leading university in several areas. To achieve this, we must attract but also retain, the talented researchers and educators we already have. This involves creating good working conditions and career opportunities, as well as addressing challenges related to temporariness and the long-term development of academic environments. We have work to do in this area moving forward. I wish to be a clear voice for all employees, regardless of level, and to address the specific challenges and demands that rest on the various units at NTNU as a comprehensive university.

Øyvind Mikkelsen

Professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences (NV)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

I believe it is important to maintain NTNU as a university with a broad scope, where all departments receive the same framework conditions. This also involves having time and space for research and to develop teaching skills and careers through balanced workloads, access to resources, and effective support functions. For younger researchers, it’s important to offer good career paths. Recently I have been involved in developing career plan for Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers at NTNU.

In hearings and decisions, openness is crucial, and employees must be given ample time to provide input to ensure genuine participation and anchoring in the academic communities. For 8 years, I led the research ethics committee for natural sciences and technology, gaining extensive experience in working for good conditions for professional independence and academic freedom. In a world where research is perceived by many to be under pressure, I believe I have much to contribute on behalf of NTNU employees.

Furthermore, I welcome a new discussion around the decisions from the dimensioning committee. Sustainable use of public funds is important, but ultimately, I see parts of the decisions from the dimensioning committee as a potential weakening of broad scope university. Critical boundaries for study programs should rather be set by the academic communities and departments, where processes are initiated to strengthen these and implement recruitment measures when program evaluations support this.

Marius Pedersen

Professor, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (IE)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

NTNU's biggest challenge is that the world and society around us are changing rapidly. Going forward, it is important that NTNU continues to develop in order to deliver knowledge and competence to society. This means that we must focus on high quality in all our activities. I believe NTNU should be represented by the breadth of the university.

As a permanent scientific employee at the Gjøvik campus, I will bring important perspectives and experiences to the board at NTNU as a multi-campus university. Furthermore, I believe that employees should have the opportunity for professional development and growth. It is we, the employees, who educate outstanding candidates for society and deliver high-quality research.

Magnus Själander

Professor, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (IE)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

Foremost, my role is to represent your voice and not to push my personal agenda. I will therefore seek your input on the topics to be discussed by the board to best represent your voice. I have still to find a solution for receiving input and foster discussion, but if elected, a solution will be established.

Level-1 has repeatedly omitted implementing efficient procedures for important core tasks. One such task is the hiring of external evaluators, which currently requires us academics to act as HR personnel. Another example is the merger where we are left to find our own tools and methods for performing cross-campus teaching. More recently is the introduction of UNIT4 that lacks the necessary functionality for grant proposal writers to create their own project budget. These are some examples of missing fundamental procedures that affect most of us and unnecessary hampers our workday.

One of our biggest challenges is that Norwegian politicians lack trust in us academics. This has been repeatedly shown by new regulations and recent budget cuts that negatively impact how we operate. One example is the requirement of external examiners as we are not trusted to perform objective evaluations. I’m aware that changing political opinions is not an easy task. But we need to break this trend and work persistently together with the whole academic sector to regain our trust and improve our political capital.

Bjørn Skallerud

Professor, Faculty of Engineering (IV)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

NTNU has many challenges the next years:

1. reduced grants versus having a sufficient number of employees
2. preserve a good working environment where academic staff have time for research
3. high quality management at all levels
4. find the right balance of AI-use in the education
5. campus project – economic risk, improved learning environment, logistics during the construction process
6. being an attractive place to study, fill the study programs
7. good business management and ability to do strategic actions
8. utilize our multi-disciplinarity and our technological and natural science profile
9. communicate specific results from our research, in particular research on sustainability, energy production , and infrastructure
10. find the balance between defense related and civil sector research

I have a wide network at NTNU that is useful to detect signals on possible problems in the organization. I am an active researcher and lecturer that knows scientific staff’s working conditions well and can bring current issues into the board’s discussions. In the current board term I have contributed to put focus on improving management training, evaluate eventual benefits from digitalization, risk management, management control. In the next term I will continue to be a distinct voice and contribute to NTNU going in an optimal direction. I will also contribute to a continuity such that previous cases and actions can be evaluated from one board term to the next.

Eli Smeplass

Associate professor, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences (SU)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

NTNU must have a clear commitment to its social mission in a time marked by political pressure and short-term governance. In an increasingly unstable world, where knowledge and science are challenged by populism, misinformation, and dishonest agendas, the university must stand as a beacon of academic integrity, intellectual resilience, and public enlightenment. Our employees are our most important resource. They must also be treated as such.

I am running for election because I want to strengthen the university’s role as a knowledge institution. We cannot manage the university like just any business. My research explores how reforms, mergers, and governance logics shape the conditions for education and academic work. I am committed to addressing the consequences of political steering in higher education, university democracy, and the grassroots role in the development of science. I have consistently advocated for long-term thinking and predictability in a sector where top-down decisions can have irreversible negative consequences. I believe in collegiality, academic breadth, and building trust from the ground up.

In the board, I will work to ensure that employees and students are heard, and that knowledge development is guided primarily by academic principles. Voters should support me because I will be a critical, clear, and knowledge-based voice for the university’s core values.

Hans Arthur Solli-Sæther

Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management (ØK)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

I have leadership experience as CIO of Norway Post and served six years as Head of Department at NTNU. As an active researcher, I have received the Faculty of Economics and Technology Management's Publication Award (2024) and have been a member of the European International Business Academy since 2016. In addition, I contribute to rector’s writing group for the new university strategy and serve on the faculty's strategy committee.

Challenge, "Linking NTNU and industry for a stronger future": One of NTNU's greatest challenges is enhancing collaboration with the professional world. To maintain our position as a leading university, we must ensure that our education and research are not only of high academic quality but also relevant and applicable to society. Today, many perceive a gap between academia and the needs of the labour market. To bridge this, we must actively involve industry in the development of study programs, research projects, and student training. Research and new knowledge should be shared and applied in practice to a greater extent.

Why vote for me? I have core expertise in economics, management, and technology, combined with extensive experience in the public sector, industry – both regionally and nationally – and academic leadership at the department level. With a strong understanding of the role of universities in development, economic growth, and innovation, I will work to strengthen the connection between academia and society.

If elected, I will work to:

• Develop long-term strategic networks by engaging public and private actors in education and research to ensure more practical and applicable knowledge.
• Strengthen NTNU’s three campuses to provide students and staff with the best opportunities in national and international research and work environment.
• Promote international collaboration to attract students and researchers, thereby increasing NTNU’s international competitiveness.

I hope for your support to make this possible!

Nassira Essahli Vik

Associate professor, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences (SU)

Brief description of what you stand for: What are NTNU's biggest challenges going forward and why voters should vote for you?

It's an honor to be nominated. I see it as a big responsibility. I came to Norway as an adult, without knowing a single word of Norwegian. But I spoke four other languages, and I was thirsty for knowledge and determined to learn. I still remember the Norwegian course at Dragvoll and the eminent lecturer. In my eagerness to get a job, I applied for a cleaning position at Dragvoll, but didn't get an interview - perhaps because my profile didn't fit. But I didn't give up. Eventually I completed both a bachelor's and master's degree. In 2014, I was one of 21 people in Norway who had the opportunity to start working on a public PhD - the first of its kind. Today, I work as an associate professor, and I really enjoy working with colleagues and students.

For me, NTNU is a community where we create meaning, build knowledge and develop together. My story may sound like an anecdote. But it's also proof that when human resources meet with opportunities, it can create great results. Let's work together to build an NTNU where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. I will work on:

1. Boycott of Israeli institutions. These are deeply involved in the violent machinery behind the bombardment, surveillance and destruction of Palestinians' opportunities for education.
2. Cancellation of NTNU's collaboration with the Kongsberg Group, which contributes to supplying the Israeli army with weapons and weapons parts.
3. A new management model with an elected rector.