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

Norsk versjon: Kandidater til styrevalget - midlertidig vitenskapelig ansatte

Back to Election 2025 and Valgweb

Harald Godø Gjerdahl

PhD Candidate, 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 Needs a Large Volume of New PhD and Postdoctoral Positions! PhD positions are the driving force of Norwegian universities. For NTNUs status as a leading international university, it is crucial that these independent research positions remain a priority, even in times of financial constraints. In recent years, significant cost reductions have been implemented, leading to a decrease in research positions. This trend must be reversed, it will benefit both Norway and NTNU.

NTNU Must Facilitate Agile PhD work! The average time to complete a PhD at Norwegian universities is nearly five years—one to two years longer than funded. NTNU must ensuring that PhD candidates get off to a quick start and are rapidly integrated into their academic communities. It is encouraging that the government is working on processes to simplify visa extensions for international PhD candidates. NTNU should fully support this initiative.

NTNU Must Support Future Career Opportunities! Being a PhD candidate or postdoctoral fellow is an uncertain yet exciting journey. These are temporary positions, and there is no guarantee of a future academic role. Strong connections with industry are essential for career development, whether within or outside academia. NTNU must actively facilitate opportunities for candidates to establish networks. Time will tell how these collaborations contribute to academia, but, they will contribute to “Knowledge for a better world”!

Mika Serna Malmer

PhD Candidate, 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?

Ever since I moved to Trondheim to study seven years ago, NTNU has played an important role in my life. It was therefore a pleasure to be able to go from being a student to an employee when I started my PhD at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering a year and a half ago. Since then, everyday life has been filled with research and teaching, while over the past year I have taken on positions on behalf of temporary employees, as a representative in the board of IMA and the research committee at NV. This work has been very rewarding, and the time is therefore ripe to take a step in this type of work by becoming the representative of temporary employees in the NTNU board.

NTNU is in a challenging time. At the same time as we see a disturbing world development, we must make tough priorities with tighter budgets. That is exactly why I think it is the right time to take on such a role, because if there is a time when it is important to make good decisions at the top, it is now. I believe that NTNU needs to have a stronger voice in times like these, with clear opinions on important issues, such as the occupation of Gaza and the need for a greener society.

Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance that the voice of temporary employees reaches out. We are a large part of NTNU, but unfortunately a group that can easily be forgotten in important decisions and we must therefore stand up for our rights. I hope I can be your voice in the NTNU board in the future!

Nikola Plavac

PhD Candidate, 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 challenges that require strong leadership to ensure financial stability and academic excellence. My candidacy for the NTNU Board is driven by a vision of a more inclusive, transparent, and academically ambitious institution. I aim to be the voice of temporary scientific staff, advocate for international students, and push for high-quality education and data-driven decision-making. As a voice for PhDs, postdocs, and researchers, I will push for a better work environment and career support.

Coming from an international background, I understand the struggles international students and staff can face. One major issue is export control regulations; NTNU must pressure authorities for more transparent and fair policies. There is room for improvement in the course catalog, especially at the master’s and PhD levels. We need a more attractive course variety and better industry alignment. Expanding partnerships with industry and authorities will also boost NTNU’s societal impact.

Voices from all three NTNU campuses should be equally represented. I strongly believe Gjøvik and Ålesund must have a say at the highest level. Decentralizing decision-making will lead to better policies that meet needs of each campus, benefiting NTNU as a whole. By voting for me, you are choosing a candidate who will actively listen to your concerns, fight for transparency, and push for meaningful improvements at NTNU.

Your voice matters—make it count! Vote for me in the NTNU Board elections.

Ida Marie Stephansen

PhD Candidate, 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?

Hi, my name is Ida Marie Stephansen, and I’m a PhD candidate at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science. I work with bacteria, giving them new properties. I want to run for the NTNU Board because I am committed to ensuring NTNU is a great place for all employees, and I want to be the voice for temporary staff and contribute to a better work environment for current and future employees.

One of NTNU's biggest challenges moving forward is the economy. We need to find solutions that will allow NTNU to remain attractive and attract and retain skilled temporary employees. I see potential in providing more opportunities for temporary staff to gain teaching experience, which might be important for career development. I also believe NTNU should focus more on collaboration with industry to find new funding models for research. Partnerships between academia and industry will help make research more relevant and sustainable in the long term, while also creating opportunities for employees.

Personally, I care about the work environment, and at my department, I initiated a regular lunch for temporary staff. I am also someone who isn’t afraid to stand up for what I believe in and be honest -I see this as a strength in board work.

I want to be a voice for all of us temporary employees and ensure that our needs and challenges are heard in decision-making. If you have issues you care about, I’m always available for a chat. Vote for me, and let’s make NTNU a better place for everyone!