Post conference summary

NordForsk – a Ferrari or a bus? That was one of the key questions raised at the anniversary conference Bridging Nordic Science: NordForsk 20 Years on 18 June.

The issue of which vehicle best serves as a metaphor for NordForsk’s role in Nordic research was posed during a research policy discussion on the future of Nordic research cooperation. Arne Flåøyen, Director of NordForsk, suggested that his organisation is best described as a red Ferrari: small, fast, visible and agile.

In response, Paula Eerola, President of the Research Council of Finland, proposed that NordForsk could equally be seen as a bus: if any of the Nordic research councils wish to engage in Nordic research cooperation, they can simply hop on board — there is room for everyone.

If there was a conclusion to this playful exchange, it was that both metaphors aptly illustrate how NordForsk functions as a flexible and effective tool for fostering Nordic research collaboration.

The conference took place at Malmö University — and what an inspiring day it was, with 130 participants from across the Nordic and Baltic countries.

The day featured presentations and discussions spanning topics from civil preparedness and resilience to the psychology of decision-making, the green transition, and the future of Nordic welfare.

See full list of session topics and speakers below.

A special highlight was INUANIMA’s moving performance — an Inuit, Balkan and Scandinavian tribute celebrating our shared respect for nature and multicultural coexistence. Truly an artistic moment to remember!

To all the brilliant speakers — thank you for your invaluable insights and engaging discussions. Your contributions made this anniversary not just a celebration of the past 20 years, but a powerful push towards the next 20.

Conference photos

We have put together an album of the best photos from the conference. All photos are free to use.

View and download conference photos

On this page: Practical information | Programme | Speakers

What are the key benefits of Nordic research co-operation across academic disciplines, and how can we collaborate to enhance its excellence and impact in the future?

Join us for a day full of inspiring and insightful talks and discussions, and networking with Nordic colleagues, to celebrate 20 years of Nordic research co-operation.

Practical information

Location: Malmö University, Building Niagara, Nordenskiöldsgatan 1, Malmö, Sweden. (NB: This is a physical event only).

Time: Wednesday 18 June 2025 from 09:45 to 16:00 CEST.

Mingle: All participants are invited to join us for informal conversations, networking, and light refreshments, immediately after the conference, from 16:00 to 17:00.

Free: The conference is free of charge.

Programme

09.45: Doors open

Registration & coffee

10.30–10.45 | Conference opening

• Yasemin Arhan Modéer, moderator
• Malin Ideland, Malmö University
• Ida Heimann Larsen, Nordic Council of Ministers

10.45–11.25 | Research Co-operation for Civil Preparedness and Resilience

Societal security and preparedness have moved to the top of the political agenda, in the Nordic region and worldwide. Research on security, preparedness and resilience is essential, both to understand what is happening and to be able to respond to developments in accurate ways. But what kind of research do we need, and how can the Nordic countries co-operate on the production and exchange of knowledge to ensure civil preparedness and resilience?

Speakers:

• Rasmus Dahlberg, Researcher in Societal Security
• Elzbieta Drazkiewicz, Lund University
• Tor-Björn Åstrand, The Psychological Defence Agency of Sweden

11.25–12.00 | The Future of Nordic Research Co-operation

The Nordic countries have many similarities, and we face the same challenges from global megatrends, also within research. But funding systems, political priorities and academic excellence vary from country to country. How can we ensure that all countries achieve maximum benefit from Nordic research co-operation?

• Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen, University of Copenhagen
• Paula Eerola, Research Council of Finland
• Jonas Björck, Forte – Swedish Research Council for Health, Working life and Welfare
• Arne Flåøyen, NordForsk

12.00–13.00 | Lunch

Lunch is served in Restaurant Niagara on the ground floor. Please remember to wear your conference name tag.

13.00–13.15 | Music Performance

Performance concert – an Inuit, Balkan and Scandinavian tribute to the multicultural positive coexistence between nature and humans.

• INUANIMA

13.15–14.00 | The Psychology of Decision-Making

Our brain is designed to keep us alive. To do this, it takes shortcuts that we don't notice. These shortcuts can be useful, but they also lead to serious mistakes – both when we make decisions alone and in groups. Even when we decide which research projects deserve funding. In this talk, Hesselberg will demonstrate why and how we fail – and how we can move towards evidence-based research funding.

Speaker:

• Jan-Ole Hesselberg, Foundation Dam

14.00–14.30 | Scientific Pathways to a Green and Inclusive Nordic Region - Part I

Scientific solutions are crucial for building a green and secure Nordic region, but they must be shaped by more than data alone. Complex challenges like climate change, the green transition, and security threats demand both robust evidence and deep local and Indigenous knowledge, balanced with political priorities, civil rights, and national and international laws and guidelines. What is the role of research in this context?

Part I:

• Melina Antonia Buns, University of Stavanger
• Rico Kongsager, University College Copenhagen
• Kristin Andersen, NordForsk

14.30–14.50 | Pause

14.50–15.20 | Scientific Pathways to a Green and Inclusive Nordic Region - Part II

Part II:

• Torjer A. Olsen, University of Tromsø
• Arnârak Patricia Bloch, University of Southern Denmark
• Kyösti Lempa, NordForsk

15.20–15.50 | Research Shaping Nordic Welfare

Most people in the Nordic region enjoy a high quality of life, thanks in part to strong welfare systems and a high level of trust. However, recent crises – including the pandemic, wars, and waves of displacement – have put these foundations under pressure. How can research help build a good future for all Nordic residents including children and migrants?

• Vilde Hernes, Oslo Metropolitan University
• Alexander Winge, The Nordic Youth Council

15:50 – 16:00 | End of Conference

A brief wrap-up and final reflections.

16:00 – 17:00 | Mingle & Refreshments

Join us for informal conversations, networking, and light refreshments.

Please note that the programme is subject to changes and will be updated regularly.

Speakers

Alexander Winge

President, Nordic Youth Council

Alexander Winge, President of The Nordic Youth Council. Winge represents the Nordic Social Democratic Youth Association in the Nordic Youth Council and was co-opted as a member of its presidium in 2024. He is studying to be a teacher and is also an active local politician in Norrköping, Sweden.

Arnârak Patricia Bloch

PhD Researcher, Ilisimatusarfik

Arnarak Patricia Bloch is working on a ph.d at Ilisimatusarfik and the University of Southern Denmark. She researches suicide prevention in Greenland and is Chairwoman of the Steering Committee for Inuit Circumpolar Health. She is also part of the NordForsk funded “Nordic Network on Gendered Violence in Sámi and Inuit Communities”.

Arne Flåøyen

Director, NordForsk

Arne Flåøyen has been the Director of NordForsk since 2018. He has 20 years of experience from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, where he worked as Director of the Department of Fish Health. Flåøyen also has international experience from his work as a Project Officer in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research in the field of agriculture, food and biotechnology.

Elzbieta Drazkiewicz

Researcher, Lund University

Elzbieta Drazkiewicz is an anthro-ethnologist from Lund University. She is doing research in conspiracy theories and desinformation. Currently, the is leading the Nordic Disinformation Resilience Network funded by NordForsk.

Ida Heimann Larsen

Chief of Staff, Nordic Council of Ministers

Ida Heimann Larsen is Chief of Staff at the Nordic Council of Ministers, where she also has been Head of Department at Growth and Climate. Heimann Larsen has held several key positions in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, most notably Head of Department for EU Coordination and Northern Europe, and Head of Department, Nordic Co-operation and Council of the Baltic Sea States.

Jan-Ole Hesselberg

Programme Manager, Dam Foundation

Jan-Ole Hesselberg is Programme Manager at the Dam Foundation, where he is responsible for allocating funds to health projects and Norwegian health research. He is Deputy Chair of the National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, and is doing a PhD in the psychology of decision-making in research funding at the University of Oslo. Hesselberg is also recognised for his communication of popular science, most notably his many appearances on Norwegian television.

Jonas Björck

Director General, Forte – Swedish Research Council for Health, Working life and Welfare

Jonas Björck is Director General at Forte – Swedish Research Council for Health, Working life and Welfare. He was the Chair of NordForsk's board 2020-2024. Previously he has been Director and Head of Unit at the Swedish Research Council.

Kristin Andersen

Chief Operating Officer, NordForsk

Kristin Andersen is Chief Operating Officer at NordForsk. She has previously been Special Adviser and is responsible for the initiative Sustainable Development of the Arctic and the Nordic initiative on Health and Welfare.

Kyösti Lempa

Special Adviser, NordForsk

Kyösti Lempa is Special Adviser at NordForsk. He has been responsible for establishing a working group to develop ethical guidelines for research involving Indigenous peoples in the Nordic countries. He is also responsible for many other NordForsk initiatives such as The Nordic Research and Innovation Initiative for Sustainable Aquaculture and the Initiative on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change.

Melina Antonia Buns

Associate Professor, University of Stavanger

Melina Antonia Buns is Associate Professor of History at the University of Stavanger and is part of the Greenhouse Center for Environmental Humanities. Her research lies at the intersection of environmental, energy, and international history.  She leads the NordForsk-funded project “Energy Lives! Infrastructural Citizenship in Nordic Energy Transitions”.

Paula Eerola

President, Research Council of Finland

Paula Eerola is President of the Research Council of Finland. She holds a doctoral degree in philosophy from the University of Helsinki. Previously, she worked as Professor of particle physics and head of the particle physics division at the University of Lund. Before that she worked at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

Rasmus Dahlberg

Researcher, Royal Danish Defence College

Rasmus Dahlberg is a researcher in societal security and leader of Center for Societal Security at the Royal Danish Defence College, currently on leave until July 2025. He is leading the NordForsk-funded project “Reinterpreting Sector Responsibility in Nordic Crisis Management after COVID-19 (RESECTOR)”.

Rico Kongsager

Associate Professor, University College Copenhagen

Rico Kongsager is Associate Professor at the University College Copenhagen. His main professional field is climate adaptation. Currently, he is project leader of the NordForsk-funded project "Addressing Unavoidable Non-Economic Losses to Climate-Induced Events for Communities in the Arctic". Previously, he was project leader of “Climate Change Resilience in Small Communities in the Nordic Countries”.

Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen

Professor, University of Copenhagen

Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen holds a professorship in migration and mobility law at the University of Copenhagen. He leads the NordForsk-funded project “Nordic Refugee Determination: Advancing Data Science in Migration Law (NoRDASiL)”.

Tor-Björn Åstrand

Head of Research and Analysis, Psychological Defence Agency

Tor-Björn Åstrand is the Head of Research and Analysis at the Psychological defence agency in Sweden. Previously he was heading the research and development branch at the counter information influence section at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). He has held various analyst positions at the Swedish Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence.

Torjer A. Olsen

Professor, University of Tromsø

Torjer A. Olsen is a professor of Indigenous Studies at the Centre for Sami Studies at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway. In his research, Olsen works with indigenous issues in education, gender and power issues within indigenous research, and religion in indigenous contexts.

Vilde Hernes

Senior Researcher, Oslo Metropolitan University

Vilde Hernes is senior researcher at the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research at Oslo Metropolitan University. She is currently leading the NordForsk-funded research project “Integration or return for Ukrainian refugees?”