Projects http://www.nordforsk.org daily 1 2010-10-08T11:37:28Z Nordic Network for Research Cooperation on Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (NordURM) http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/nordic-network-for-research-cooperation-on-unaccompanied-refugee-minors-nordurm NordURM aims to consolidate collaboration regarding research and research training on a Nordic level as well as to develop comparative research projects concerning unaccompanied refugee minors in the Nordic countries. In recent years, the number of unaccompanied refugee minors seeking asylum in the Nordic countries has increased. This has resulted in an emergent need for more research-based knowledge concerning the reception and resettlement of this group.

In the Nordic countries research on unaccompanied refugee minors is a rather new field of research. Currently most of the research consists of small-size projects, often carried out by individual researchers or PhD students. However, recently a few larger research projects have been initiated.

Unaccompanied refugee minors represent a heterogeneous group. Not only in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, but also in past experiences, current life situations and future prospects. Consequently, research on unaccompanied refugee minors requires a multidisciplinary approach. As a result, URM-research is not only a novel area of research in the Nordic countries, it is also scattered over many different scientific and professional disciplines.

The fact that there are many individual researchers and few research groups increases the need for coordination and cooperation of both research and research training. Besides, there is a genuine need for cooperation related to the development of comparative research projects between different Nordic countries.

A consolidation of Nordic research concerning reception and resettlement of unaccompanied refugee minors in the respective countries will promote the understanding of unaccompanied minors’ diverse and complex needs. The notion of the competent child and a child-centered, participatory research approach will be a prerequisite in the comparative Nordic research projects. Both the responses of welfare states to unaccompanied children’s needs for support and children’s own experiences and perspectives on the support and services supplied will be in focus in future comparative research projects.

Read more about the project on their webpage!

]]> No publisher Lisa H. Ekli 2011-10-12T11:00:00Z Project Forest Soil C Sink Nordic Network http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/forest-soil-c-sink-nordic-network By using a combination of large observational databases of soil carbon content in forests, long-term forest management experiments and mathematical simulation models, the network will contribute to improving our understanding within the area of soil carbon sequestration. Forests cover 60 % of the land area in the five Nordic countries, and forestry is one of the most important primary industries in the Nordic region.

These forests store massive amounts of carbon in soil organic matter and it is important to protect and possibly enhance this storage through forest management.

The aim of the network is to increase the understanding of factors effecting accumulation or loss of the soil organic matter. They particularly look at the potential impacts on soil carbon sequestration of:

  • Increased bioenergy harvest from forests – this could lead to soil carbon loss
  • Nitrogen deposition – this seems to increase carbon accumulation
  • Afforestation or natural re-growth of forests after cease of agriculture use – where soil carbon content might increase
  • Reconstruction of forest drainage infrastructure

The results will be used to advice the forestry sector on best management practices and strategies for protecting and increasing the carbon sink of soils. The results will also be relevant for national reporting under the UN Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto protocol.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-01-12T18:50:00Z Project Nordic Researcher Network on Process Mineralogy and Geometallurgy (ProMinNet ) http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/prominnet-nordic-researcher-network-on-process-mineralogy-and-geometallurgy Process Mineralogy and geometallurgy are relatively new cross disciplinary research areas. Process Mineralogy bridges mineral processing and mineralogy and geometallurgy combines geology and geostatistics with minerals processing.

In Nordic countries the mineral resources have been identified as a strategic asset. Finland has set its Mineral Strategy and Sweden and Norway are currently defining it. In Nordic countries the research in the area of process mineralogy and geometallurgy is in a high level. Platinum group mineralogical studies, development of scanning electron microscope particle texture analysis and development of data processing, modelling and simulation techniques utilising mineral liberation data are some examples.

In Nordic universities the facilities and instrumentation are very good. Even though research and facilities in the Nordic are of high quality the doctoral level education and cooperation in these areas have been very limited. This researcher network aims to change this.

The network brings together 13 senior researchers and 11 PhD students from four recognised institutions. The network activities include workshops, site visits, researcher exchange, publications and a conference. Three days workshops will be hosted once by each partner, focusing on PhD courses and practical hands-on training.

Read more about ProMinNET here.

]]> No publisher Lisa H. Ekli 2011-10-12T11:00:00Z Project NORDFROST http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/nordfrost The aim of NORDFROST is to better understand how snow, frost and ice, and changes in their annual and seasonal patterns affect the trace gas and energy exchanges of high latitude ecosystems and particularly the boreal and arctic ones. NORDFROST will develop a combined travelling workshop and course in the sub-Arctic to high Arctic region. In addition funding will be available for mobility grants allowing researchers and PhD students to visit each other’s laboratories and field stations.

The network will provide access to a large number of advanced research stations in the Nordic region through infrastructures such as INTERACT and ICOS. Within INTERACT new flux sites for year-around measurements of trace gases and energy exchanges will be established in Greenland (Nuuk & Zackenberg), Sweden (Abisko) and Norway (Svalbard).

Ecosystem flux sites will also be established along latitudinal gradients in Sweden and Finland within the ICOS infrastructure which will also contain atmospheric observations in a number of high towers. With the mobility and site visit grants young researchers will have a unique opportunity to utilise advanced top modern equipment in the absolute forefront of climate related research.

NORDFROST is a combination of the researcher network NORDFLUX and the Nordic Centre of Excellence within the Top-level Research Initiative DEFROST.

Visit the NORDFROST webpage here.

]]> No publisher Lisa H. Ekli 2011-10-12T11:45:00Z Project NORIA-net on Nordic Languages, Language culture and Communication http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/noria-net-on-nordic-languages-language-culture-and-communication The NORIA-net will map strong research areas within the field of Nordic languages, language culture and communication in each of the Nordic countries and investigate where there is added value in more cooperation and consolidation of research efforts. The NORIA-net will be forward-looking and include mapping of existing and needed research infrastructures of language technology, education, knowledge circulation and an international dimension. It is expected that the NORIA-net will describe and analyze Nordic strengths in the field of Nordic languages and communication as well as language and communication culture. Through dialogue with relevant research environments, it will provide NordForsk with recommendations on specific actions on how NordForsk can support Nordic cooperation on these themes.

The NORIA-net will consist of five representatives nominated by ‘the research funding agencies in the five Nordic countries, three representatives nominated by the autonomous areas Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland Islands, one representative from the university sector nominated by NUS (Nordic University Association) and one representative of the NordForsk Board. The NORIA-net is chaired by the member of the NordForsk Board.The NORIA-net should also have access to a broader reference group (approximately 10-15 members) consisting of experts in the relevant research areas and – if relevant - representatives of policy makers The Nordic Council of Ministers and industry.

The NORIA-net will be active for a maximum of two years. The budget of 1 MNOK is administered by NordForsk, who also provides secretarial support to the NORIA-net.

]]> No publisher Marius Hagen 2012-10-12T12:45:00Z Project Joint Nordic Biobank Research Infrastructure http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/joint-nordic-biobank-research-infrastructure The Nordic countries have been pioneers in the development of registry-based biobanks. In this project, scientists within the Nordic region will be sharing information and infrastructure through a common biobank registry in order to enhance knowledge about the causes of colorectal cancer. A biobank is a systematised collection of biological material samples with associated databases used for research and in other applications. In this project, a large, interdisciplinary network of Nordic experts will collaborate on finding the best ways to identify the causes of colorectal cancer. The infrastructure of the Nordic countries is similar enough that biobank-based research can be implemented not only nationally, but at a large-scale Nordic level as well.

The project will enable researchers to create a common Nordic database of standardised information. A Nordic study population will be identified, and researchers will analyse samples from the biobank and compare them with the national cancer registers and material from questionnaires in order to try to zero in on the factors, environmental as well as genetic, that lead to colorectal cancer.

The Nordic initiative BioBanking and Molecular Research Infrastructure (BBMRI Nordic) is a collaborative network between national biobanking infrastructures in the Nordic countries. Participants include BBMRI.se in Sweden, BBMRI.fi in Finland, BBMRI.no in Norway, Biobank Denmark, as well as researchers from Iceland – all working to achieve common results and strengthen research. The network also wishes to contribute Nordic expertise to developing the European biobank cooperation under BBMRI.eu.

Contact persons

]]> No publisher Lisa H. Ekli 2011-08-18T10:20:00Z Project Nordic Forage Crops Genetic Resource Adaptation Network (NOFOCGRAN) http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/nordic-forage-crops-genetic-resource-adaptation-network-nofocgran The network aims to develop knowledge, methods and germaplasm as the basis for future development of cultivars of perennial forage grasses and legumes adapted to the expected changing climates. In the Nordic countries major parts of the agricultural land is used for forage production. Climate change constitutes a great challenge for perennial plants, and developing improved adapted and high yielding cultivars with good quality and disease resistance is crucial for securing a sustainable agriculture in the Nordic region.

This network gathers experts in plant genetics, plant physiology, crop modelling and plant breeding from three Nordic countries.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-02-23T17:20:00Z Project Arctic char; A species under threat and with great potentials in the age of climate change (NORDCHAR) http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/arctic-char-a-species-under-threat-and-with-great-potentials-in-the-age-of-climate-change-nordchar The Arctic char is a species under threat, well suited to be used as a model species for monitoring changes in the Nordic areas due to climate change. The NORDCHAR project focusses on both threats and opportunities involved in climate changes. The NORDCHAR project will use new genetic methodologies as well as conventional life history ecology methods to make model-based analyses on the effects of climate change a valuable resource for the Nordic countries.

Leading scientists in freshwater ecology and in genetics from each participating country will join forces and thereby add value to the available data on Arctic char as well as producing new data.

The results may be used for policy-making for the fish farming industry, the recreational fishing industry, for genetic resource preservation, for conservation strategies and for management authorities.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-02-23T17:05:00Z Project Nordic Research Network on Animal Genetic Resources in the Adaptation to Climate Change http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/nordic-research-network-on-animal-genetic-resources-in-the-adaptation-to-climate-change This network contributes to developing a Nordic knowledge-base for policy making for the conservation, utilisation and investigation of animal genetic resources within adaptation and mitigation issues. An increased accessibility to a wide diversity of animal genetic resources will be needed in order to increase the sustainability of animal production systems and strengthen food security against the effects of climate change.

Domestic animal genetic resources for food and agriculture have not yet been properly integrated into strategies for adaptation to and mitigation of current global transitions in climate. However, livestock production contributes to and will be affected by the climate change.

The network will collect current knowledge of climate change effects on primary industries, especially that on the Nordic agro-ecosystems and livestock production.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-02-23T17:05:00Z Project Nordic network: Climate impacts on fish, fishery industry and management in the Nordic Seas http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/nordic-network-climate-impacts-on-fish-fishery-industry-and-management-in-the-nordic-seas The network will provide interdisciplinary studies on the link between the physical climate systems, geographical distribution of fish, and effects on the management systems and economic potential for harvesting. Understanding these links will provide a strong basis for developing sound, long-term fisheries management and policy capable of effective adaptation and mitigation to future climate change for the fisheries. Climate change is driven by global processes, but works through regional physical climate systems, with profound potential effects on local scale. The geographical distribution of fisheries resources crosses national borders, and the management of these resources are often shared among several countries.

The Norwegian Sea and adjacent areas are typical examples of such an ocean area. When studying climate effects on fish and fisheries in this large system, Nordic research cooperation is vital.

One of the activities of the network is to develop a joint spatial database containing data on hydrography, fish, fisheries and other ecosystem data. The database will serve as a basis for monitoring, collecting, storing, exchanging Nordic data, and making it accessible.

Access to marine data from the involved Nordic countries is crucial for developing the database. The system will increase the capacity of the Nordic communities for assessment and mitigation of climate change effects.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-01-12T18:55:00Z Project Sustainable Primary Production in a Changing Climate http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/sustainable-primary-production-in-a-changing-climate Researchers and plant breeders collaborate closely to help prepare the Nordic society for future climate changes. Plant genetic resources, mainly from NordGen, are selected on basis of realistic future scenarios. Production is measured, and environmental impacts assessed. The Nordic primary industries face production demands with requirements for low-input and minimal environmental impact. To prepare for tomorrow, actions are needed given a long development time of new management strategies and new plant varieties.

This network will develop common and regionally tailored measures and strategies, plant material and decision making tools for the future Nordic:

  • Plant health
  • Conservation, adaptation and utilisation of genetic resources
  • Adaptation and mitigation in the cereal production system
  • Sustainable biomass production

The results will be used to provide decision support tools for a future sustainable, stable and safe primary production for food, feed and bioenergy.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-01-12T18:50:00Z Project NORIA-net on Registries http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/noria-net-on-registries NordForsk has initiated the “NORIA-net on Registries” with the aim to increase use of the unique data registries and biobanks in and between the Nordic countries, and thereby strengthening Nordic cooperation on registry-based research. NORIA-net is a coordination activity for the national and Nordic research funding agencies and policy makers. The NORIA-net should map and identify where there is added value to cooperate at the Nordic level and give strategic advice to NordForsk on how to strengthen Nordic research by increased joint use of registries. The working group is jointly chaired by Erland Hjelmquist, Secretary General of the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research, and Mikael Fogelholm, Professor in Nutrition at the University of Helsinki.

The report “A reinforced Nordic collaboration on registers and databases: challenges from six perspectives” will serve as important background material for the NORIA-net group. Activities within the NORIA-net has the aim to increase coordination and accessibility of registries to the different research communities, map national workplans, as well as investigating potential limitations (legal, ethical, political etc) impeding cooperation and proposing ways to overcoming these. Coordination activities targeting statistical authorities, data inspection boards and ethical committees are foreseen.

The NORIA-net aims to arrange a high-level workshop spring 2013 focusing on how to make Nordic register data available and possible to use by a broader research audience. The outcome of the workshop will be used by the NORIA-net to formulate recommendations on how to strengthen Nordic registry-based research.

For more information please contact Erland Hjelmquist (erland.hjelmquist@fas.se) and Mikael Fogelholm (mikael.fogelholm@helsinki.fi)

]]> No publisher Marius Hagen 2012-11-05T08:25:00Z Project NORIA-net Arctic http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/noria-net-arctic NORIA-net Arctic is a preparatory action to assess the potential for added value in a larger-scale joint Nordic research initiative responding to the societal challenges and opportunities that the Arctic region is confronted with. Based on this assessment, the NORIA-net shall develop a proposal for a larger-scale joint Nordic research programme in response to the multiple societal challenges and new opportunities that the Arctic region currently meets. The joint Nordic research initiative is to be developed according to the following guidelines and criteria:

  • The point of departure for the initiative shall be challenges related to climate change
  • The initiative shall be multidisciplinary in its approach
  • The proposal for a joint Nordic initiative shall seek to facilitate international research cooperation, in particular between the Nordic countries and the other states in the Arctic Council; the United States, Canada and Russia
  • It shall produce knowledge of relevance to policy-makers regarding smart adaption to climate change in the Arctic
  • The NORIA-net should cooperate with relevant stakeholders working on Arctic issues

To provide input to the NORIA-net, expert groups are established in the fields of health and medicine, social sciences and humanities as well as in natural sciences and technology.In addition, a reference group will be formed, consisting of main stakeholders such as researchers, representatives of the indigenous population in the Arctic region, policy makers, industry, the Nordic University Association (NUS), the University of the Arctic, NORDREGIO and representatives of the Nordic council of Ministers and of the Arctic council.

The NORIA-net is to finalize its work during the spring of 2013. A proposal for a larger scale Nordic research initiative on Arctic issues is to be presented to the NordForsk Board at its meeting in June 2013

]]> No publisher Marius Hagen 2012-10-12T11:15:00Z Project The Nordic Network in Dementia Diagnostics (NIDD) http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/the-nordic-network-in-dementia-diagnostics-nidd NIDD aims to harmonise diagnostic working methods for dementia, and contribute to earlier and enhanced diagnostics. Dementia is one of the most common mental diseases. It increases dramatically with the aging of the Nordic population. At the same time, more younger people are being diagnosed with dementia. Early diagnostics is crucial, but unfortunately the actual causes of dementia are discovered far too late in the disease process.

A multidisciplinary consortium of nine research groups from five Nordic countries and Lithuania strive to enhance the knowledge on the causes of dementia and to enhance diagnostic methods.

Based upon the research carried out by the participating groups, the network focuses on recruiting PhD students and transferring the achieved new knowledge about dementia diagnostics. All participant groups are involved in the publishing of the results.

Read more here.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-01-17T19:40:00Z Project HEXAnord, HEalth teXt Analysis network in the Nordic and Baltic countries http://www.nordforsk.org/en/programs/prosjekter/hexanord-health-text-analysis-network-in-the-nordic-and-baltic-countries The HEXAnord-network will assist in building a shared framework for developing methods for processing health records and create a platform for mobility of researchers and students within the Nordic and Baltic countries. Most current research on processing health records is currently ad-hoc and tailored to specific project situations. There are no available joint research programmes or courses in this field, neither in Europe nor in the Nordic countries.

Since there are very few groups in each Nordic country performing this type of research, cooperating in a Nordic context in text mining of electronic health records is crucial.

The HEXAnord network will contribute to such collaboration, by connecting research carried out in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. Each of the network partners has established individual research projects on text and data mining of electronic health records.

Coordination between the partners will result in a set of general tools, that will speed up development of techniques to analyse their respective health record data sets. In order to carry this out, the network plans to develop a fully anonymised and shared synthetic data set based on authentic electronic health records. This synthetic data set will be used for developing and evaluating the tools.

The results and findings will be made available to the public and stakeholders in the Nordic countries through seminars, conferences as well as popular science articles in all Nordic and Baltic languages.

]]> No publisher Nordforsk User 2011-01-13T11:20:00Z Project