For several centuries, the Nordic countries have collected information on each of their citizens. There are registries in the region dating to the 1700s, with information on birthplaces, marriages and deaths, among other particulars. Today there are even more registries and linking their data together can provide a detailed record of each individual’s journey through life. This treasure trove of information could be a unique source of insight for Nordic researchers. On 17 February, during the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in Washington D.C, Dr. Maria Nilsson, talks about how NordForsk has invested heavily in efforts to promote Nordic research cooperation based on registry data.
NordForsk, the Norwegian Cancer Society and the Research Council of Norway have pooled their resources for an historic initiative on paediatric cancer research and will be allocating a total of NOK 30 million for three Nordic projects on personalised cancer treatment for children. With their focus on Nordic cooperation on clinical studies, these projects will help to give children diagnosed with cancer access to the very latest treatment methods. “I’m excited to follow the progress of these projects, ” says Bent Høie, Norwegian Minister of Health and Care Services, “not only because they are strong projects on their own but also because they can help expand Nordic cooperation on clinical research.”
The Nordic Committee on Bioethics and NordForsk is launching the fifth edition of Legislation on biotechnology in the Nordic countries. The report provides an up-to-date overview of legislation in a variety of areas, including assisted reproduction, human biobanks, cloning and embryo research.
NordForsk received 218 applications in response to the call for proposals under the Joint Nordic-UK Research Initiative on Migration and Integration with a deadline of 15 November 2018. The UK is represented in a large share of the projects, demonstrating that researchers in the Nordic countries and the UK see great value in working together, says NordForsk Director Arne Flåøyen.
In connection with the Session of the Nordic Council 2018, NordForsk organised the lunch seminar “Opportunities and challenges for Nordic health data research for Nordic members of parliament. The purpose of the seminar was to demonstrate the untapped potential for Nordic use of cooperation on health data, and to highlight existing barriers and bottlenecks that pose obstacles to Nordic research based on registry data. The 2018 session was held at the Storting in Oslo.
Professor Allan Krasnik fears enormous economic and social problems for the Nordic society if the integration of refugees and migrants is not successful. “The Nordic welfare model is based on equality and solidarity, and there is an impending risk of rising inequality and conflict in society if refugees receive inferior services,” claims Professor Krasnik.
Would it be of relevance for the Nordic countries to launch research cooperation relating to migration? Yes, thinks Tuomas Martikainen of the Migration Institute of Finland. He has led the work with NordForsk's most recent policy paper, an overview of existing knowledge in the area of migration and integration.
In June 2016, NordForsk issued a call for Nordic register-based research projects. A total of 48 eligible proposals were received and were peer reviewed by international experts. The NordForsk Board has now decided to award NOK 67 million to fund seven of the projects. This was the fourth call for proposals under NordForsk’s Nordic Initiative on Health and Welfare.
The thematic area for this joint call for proposals is inclusion in pre-primary and primary education with a focus on teaching and learning for children and students in need of special support. Projects are required to incorporate cooperation between researchers and research-oriented practitioners.
