University Research Committee

The University Research Committee advises UiB's leadership on how the university should conduct research — from the conditions for long-term basic research to doctoral education and international collaboration. The committee makes no decisions itself, but its advice shapes the cases that go on to the University Board.

What kind of body is this?

  • Type: Advisory committee
  • Appointed by: The University Board
  • Mandate adopted: University Board, 11 September 2025
  • Reports to: The university leadership and the University Board
  • Secretariat: Division of Research and Innovation

What the committee does

The committee has a central role in carrying out UiB's strategy, and works on the conditions for research at the university. This applies in particular to the long-term, basic research for which the university has a special responsibility.

The committee also advises on how UiB can secure more external research funding, including how the research administration services should be developed.

In addition, the committee advises on open science, research ethics, doctoral education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and institutional partnerships in Norway and abroad.

What the committee can decide

The committee does not make decisions. Its advice goes to the university leadership and into the cases put before the University Board, which is the body that decides.

How a matter reaches the committee

Members may propose matters for consideration, and the chair sets the agenda. If you have a matter you believe the committee should look at, approach the pro- or vice-dean for research at your faculty, or contact the secretariat in the Division of Research and Innovation.

The committee emphasizes discussion and the exchange of experience across faculties, with the aim of developing best practice in the matters it considers.

Members of the committee

The committee is designed to represent the full breadth of academic fields at UiB. One pro- or vice-dean with responsibility for research sits on the committee from each faculty, together with the person responsible for research at the University Museum. These members are appointed for four years. Temporary academic staff and students each have one representative, appointed for one academic year. The Rector may also appoint permanent observers.

Chair

Vice-Rector Kjell-Morten Myhr

Pro- and vice-deans for research

  • Professor Eivind Heldaas Seland, Faculty of Humanities
  • Professor Jørn Jacobsen, Faculty of Law
  • Professor Øyvind Frette, Faculty of Science and Technology
  • Professor Silje Skrede, Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Torbjørn Torsheim, Faculty of Psychology
  • Professor Frode Guribye, Faculty of Social Sciences. Deputy: Professor Julie Riise
  • Associate Professor Jostein Gundersen, Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design. Deputy: Associate Professor Ørjan Djønne
  • Professor Nils Anfinset, University Museum of Bergen. Deputy: Head of Department Jenny Smedmark

Representative for temporary academic staff

Doctoral Research Fellow Welat Akman Westrheim, Faculty of Social Sciences

Student representative

Kristian Birkeland

Meetings, agendas and minutes

The committee meets eight times in 2026, in the Board Room at Muséplassen 1.

  • Wednesday 28 January, 12.30–15.30
  • Wednesday 4 March, 12.30–15.30
  • Wednesday 29 April, 12.30–15.30
  • Wednesday 10 June, 12.00–16.00
  • Wednesday 26 August, 12.30–15.30
  • Wednesday 30 September, 12.30–15.30
  • Wednesday 11 November, 12.30–15.30
  • Wednesday 9 December, 12.30–15.30

Minutes are published as soon as the committee has approved them.

Access to meeting documents

Agendas and minutes from the committee's meetings are public documents. You can search for them and request access in eInnsyn, the shared public records service for the Norwegian public sector. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

Contact

The secretary to the committee is Alette Gilhus Mykkeltvedt, Director of the Division of Research and Innovation. The secretary prepares cases and gives recommendations in consultation with the Vice-Rector. The contact person is Bjug Boyum.

Emails
bjug.boyum@uib.no
Last updated: 15.09.2026