Universitetet i Bergen
UiB
The University of Bergen (UiB) is an international research university established in 1946, with roots dating back to 1825.
ID: 601223121882-35
Lobbying Activity
Response to A European Strategy for AI in science – paving the way for a European AI research council
5 Jun 2025
The University of Bergen (UiB) strongly supports the initiative to develop a European strategy for AI in science and appreciates the opportunity to give input. UiBs position paper (attached) outlines recommendations for five key points for a European Strategy for AI in Science. FIVE KEY INPUTS TO THE STRATEGY To build a resilient and future-oriented research ecosystem, Europe must invest in the scientific foundations of AI and ensure broad academic engagement across all disciplines. Based on our experience and academic breadth, we highlight the following five key inputs. 1. Trust and trustworthiness We must embed transparency, accountability, and inclusivity into the development and the deployment of trustworthy AI systems. European research policy should prioritize open-source AI models and reproducibility of AI-driven scientific findings. We need research from the social sciences, humanities, law and the arts to understand impacts of AI on society, culture and democracy, and to develop frameworks for deciding in which situations and in which ways AI can be beneficial, as well as deciding when it should not be used. By fostering a culture of responsible use of AI in science, Europe can lead globally in ensuring that AI accelerates scientific discovery in line with democratic values and societal benefit. 2. Cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration The complexity and societal impact of AI demand that its development and application are not confined to technical or disciplinary silos. Collaboration must bring together researchers from all disciplines, and include stakeholders from the public sector, industry, civil society, and policymaking. Such cooperation will stimulate the development and application of AI in science to align with human rights, democratic values, regulation, and societal needs. In line with the Nordic tradition of consensus-building and inclusive governance, this collaborative model can serve as a blueprint for Europe. 3. Strengthening AI competence in all disciplines To accelerate scientific discovery, Europe must educate AI specialists while also building AI literacy across all research fields and roles. Disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, and law provide crucial insights into how AI systems shape language, perception, and decision-making and into what AI cannot accomplish. To ensure future research capacity in AI, it is important that AI is well integrated in all education programs. HE institutions in Europe play a central role in building data and AI literacy, which should be embedded in curricula at all levels and supported through lifelong learning. 4. Responsible data sharing and strong infrastructure To fully unlock the potential of both analytical and generative AI in science, a strong infrastructure and well-functioning data-sharing frameworks are essential. Europe should expand its efforts to build secure, FAIR-aligned, and inclusive research data ecosystems. As AI enables the processing and aggregation of data that was previously too extensive and unstructured to connect, a continued update of research ethics guidelines is needed. 5. Providing long-term funding for basic AI research To be at the forefront of AI-enabled science, Europe must provide stable and long-term funding for foundational AI research. This includes theoretical computer science, algorithmic design, AI ethics, cybersecurity and trustworthy AI, as well as foundational research on the impacts, ethics and cultural aspects of AI from the humanities, social sciences, psychology and law. Such research underpins the development of reliable, energy-efficient, and ethically sound AI systems for science.
Read full responseResponse to A Culture Compass for Europe
30 May 2025
The University of Bergen (UiB) welcomes the European Commissions plans for a Culture Compass providing an overarching strategic framework for the multiple dimensions of culture. We likewise welcome the explicit emphasis of cultures role in promoting European values and as a driver of democracy, a competitive advantage and an essential societal pillar. We recommend that the Culture Compass place a strong emphasis on the crucial role in democracies of access to culture and freedom of cultural and artistic expression, and also recognises the importance of culture for inclusion, health and well-being. We further recommend that the Culture Compass acknowledge the central role of universities, research and research-based education and innovation in this context. As a comprehensive research-intensive university, UiB regards our role as a culture-bearing institution as central to our activities, including to our ability to be prepared for the future and to promote innovation. Universities also play an important part in societies cultural life as arenas for public debate, critical thinking and the dissemination of knowledge across society, including at university museums and libraries. The range of fields within social sciences, humanities and arts (SSHA) are vital for maintaining and developing knowledge of cultural expressions and cultural heritage, disseminating such knowledge and contributing to broad access to culture and cultural heritage for various societal groups. Research that contributes to effective communication and dissemination of our diverse cultural heritage plays a vital role in promoting and understanding our shared cultural identities, fostering cultural bridging, and facilitating better integration of minority groups within society. By valuing our cultural heritage, we can ensure that traditions and both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage that have historically been overlooked and marginalized are protected and maintained for future generations. We recommend support for Artistic research, particularly relevant in this context, as it offers inclusive, practice-based methods for building civic trust and democratic engagement. Through exhibitions, performances, and community-based initiatives, it provides accessible and culturally grounded formats for public dialogue, including among groups in society less likely to engage through formal political channels. This is closely linked to the role of cultural heritage and identity as foundations for democratic participation, critical reflection, and social cohesion. For preserving and understanding our cultural heritage, we also emphasise the importance of Cultural Heritage Sciences (CHS), a scientific field in rapid expansion and development. The field is broad and ranges from palaeopathology, evolutionary biology, fauna, vegetation, and climate history, to the investigations of historic building materials, crafts, and art. CHS provides new perspectives on our past and helps us understand, preserve and conserve fragile and unique objects or materials. It may also have potential for innovation, since understanding older materials and learning about forgotten low-tech techniques can contribute to the transition to more environmentally adapted and sustainable practices. We urge that the Culture Compass recognise the close interconnections between culture, research and education and their importance for democracy. For elaboration on such interconnections, we refer to UiBs position paper prepared in response to the European Commissions Call for Evidence for a European Democracy Shield, The Role of Research, Education and the Arts in Building Democratic Resilience (attached).
Read full responseResponse to European Democracy Shield
26 May 2025
Please find the feedback from the University of Bergen attached to this response.
Read full responseResponse to European strategy on research and technology infrastructures
16 May 2025
The University of Bergen (UiB) appreciates the opportunity to give input to the forthcoming European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures. UiB is currently coordinating six national ESFRI nodes and is participating in several more, and we will continue to have a strong commitment to contribute to the future of European Research Infrastructures. As an institution dedicated to excellence in research across all disciplines, we urge the European Commission to consider the following critical points: UiB agrees with the European Commission that Europes ecosystem of research and technology infrastructures is a major strategic asset; it supports excellent research and innovation, forms the basis for international science collaboration and diplomacy and contributes to making Europe attractive for researchers and innovators across the world. As we have emphasized in UiBs Position paper on FP10, we regard the long-term European collaboration on research infrastructure as an extremely successful part of European science collaboration, with clear added value for Europe, that will be crucial for the development of the European Research Area in the years to come. Therefore, it is vital that a European strategy on Research & Technology Infrastructures must build on the strong foundation already in place in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and the ESFRI landmarks. It must be embedded in a strengthened European Research Area, working towards seamless collaboration with the fifth freedom for research, innovation and education outlined in the Letta report as a guiding principle. We further wish to emphasize that the differences between technology and research infrastructures should be acknowledged. We concur with the point made on this issue by the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), which points out in their input to the consultation that the two kinds of infrastructure are both crucial, but that they are complementary and serve different purposes. UiB recommends that the Strategy take these differences in purpose into account, and emphasises that it would not be fruitful to set up a funding system where technology and research infrastructure compete for the same funding. UiB also recommends that the strategy should contribute to maximizing national investments in research infrastructures and should prioritize long-term, sustainable funding for data steward initiatives. In addition, at a time when there is a high emphasis on technological advancement, it is vital that the strategy recognises that the emphasis of technology-driven research should not overshadow the importance of the contributions from social sciences and humanities (SSH), including in relation to new technology. The SSH disciplines contributes critical knowledge of the human perspective, e.g. with regard to behaviour, societal structures and development, cultural history, heritage and identity, and democratic participation and engagement knowledge that is central to addressing major challenges we face in Europe and globally. Research in SSH-disciplines also depends on dedicated research infrastructure, and European collaboration on such infrastructure is crucial and gives clear added value. UiB urges that the importance and particular functions and features of infrastructure for SHH research in various fields are explicitly acknowledged and addressed in the strategy. We urge continued full access to the collaboration on infrastructures for EEA/EFTA-countries. Finally, we recommend that the Strategy acknowledges the importance of the collaboration on research and technology infrastructure as a strategic tool for international collaboration, scientific independence, preparedness and security.
Read full responseResponse to 2025 Strategic Foresight Report
19 Mar 2025
The University of Bergen (UiB) appreciates the opportunity to give input in connection with the preparation of the Strategic Foresight report for 2025 and welcomes its timely focus on resilience. UiB wishes to emphasize the importance of long-term perspectives to ensure European resilience. We also encourage a broad understanding of the term, taking into account that a complex set of factors contribute to societal resilience, and consequently that knowledge from a broad range of fields is necessary for efficient knowledge-based policy-making for resilience. In demanding times with many challenges requiring immediate investment and effort, it is vital to remember that investment in research and research-based education and innovation upholds the necessary foundations for long-term resilience, and for the resilience of democratic societies in particular. European democracies and values as we know them today have developed in critical dialogue with European history and tradition over centuries. An inclusive public sphere open for critical discussion informed by knowledge, not only of current issues, but also of languages, history, and the rich multitude of cultural perspectives present in our societies, is a central part of our democratic interaction. To uphold this, we need free independent media, quality education and strong research environments within the whole range of disciplines, including social sciences, humanities, law and art (SSHA-disciplines). In general, research, education and innovation secure the knowledge and competences needed for efficient policies for resilience and competitiveness now and in the coming years, and lay the basis for discovering the knowledge and developing the competences we need in the longer term that we do not yet envisage. Research and education of the highest quality is a clear strength of European countries, built through long-term investments in universities and other research institutions. To be able to meet the various challenges we face globally and in Europe, it is vital to continue strengthening the European Research Area and thereby the European research and innovation ecosystem. This requires promoting and protecting academic freedom, improving career opportunities for younger researchers and providing funding opportunities for researchers and innovators along the whole continuum from fundamental research to innovation for the market or societal implementation. To attain this, it is crucial that the EU continues its commitment to research and innovation (R&I) through a stand-alone framework programme for R&I with a strong and ring-fenced budget in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. UiB wishes to point to the research areas listed below as central for the resilience of European societies, and as areas where European collaboration provides clear added value. We recommend that they be prioritized in the last years of the current framework programme for R&I, Horizon Europe, and in the next, 10th, framework programme (FP10): Children and youth Climate Democracy and sustainable, just and inclusive societies Digitilization and Artificial Intelligence Efficient energy systems and energy systems management Health Oceans and the blue economy Sustainable area management These interconnected areas require both basic and interdisciplinary research, with SSHA-disciplines integrated into all themes. Sufficient investment in infrastructure, including data-sharing systems and data stewardship roles, is essential for maximizing European R&I potential. To be able to mobilize excellent R&I environments in all sectors to participate in the programme, it will be of great importance to secure long-term stability with regard to the budget as well as rules and conditions. For further details on these research areas and further recommendations on FP10, we refer to UiBs recommendations concerning thematic priorities in FP10 and UiBs Position paper on FP10 (attached).
Read full responseResponse to 2040 Climate Target Plan
23 Jun 2023
The University of Bergen (UiB) appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the Call for evidence for an impact assessment in connection with the EU Climate target for 2040. UiB recognizes the vital importance of forceful action, both in Europe and globally, to keep on track to reach the climate targets for 2030 and 2050, and regards a target for 2040 as a useful tool in this respect. UiB agrees that it is especially important to keep the momentum in the work to combat climate change in times where other crises, for example connected to Russias invasion of Ukraine, risk diverting attention from climate action. UiB appreciates that the Commission underlines that reaching the climate goals may require policy responses also in many fields beyond climate policy. UiB encourages the Commission to take into account principles of equity and burden sharing when formulating climate targets, such as the equity principles recognized by the IPCC related to historical responsibility, capacity (ability to pay for mitigation), and cost-optimalization. UiB has the following concrete suggestions for improving key dimensions of the climate target in order to increase ambition: 1. The updated target should include both aviation and shipping. 2. It should specify the amount of removals from the land use sector and other forms of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). 3. It should clarify what interpretation(s) of fairness their target refers to when it states that it is fair and ambitious. UiB has strong research environments within climate research and other fields of relevance to climate action policy. UiB urges the Commission to take account of the broad existing knowledge base when developing targets for 2040, but also to acknowledge the importance of continued support for sufficient funding for the research and innovation needed to tackle the several challenges connected to climate change in Horizon Europe and the next framework programme. Research and innovation within a range of disciplines will be needed as well as broad interdisciplinary research, and it is important that research needs within climate research proper and within relevant areas of all fields of science are addressed, including law, social sciences, humanities, and psychology. UiB further encourages the Commission to recognize the important role of autonomous research universities, both with regard to the role they play in the research system, and with regard to providing research based education to students. To achieve the Green transition and the climate goals, there is a need for new skills and competences, but also a broad understanding among citizens of the gravity of the challenges we face and the societal changes needed, as well as the ability to partake in constructive debate about solutions and relate to information critically. For all of this, high quality education is crucial. See the attached document for further recommendations concerning areas UiB regards as central to consider in connection with policy development to reach climate goals and tackle climate change, and in which research and innovation should be prioritized to secure the necessary knowledge base.
Read full responseResponse to Recommendation on covert interference from third countries
12 Apr 2023
The University of Bergen (UiB) welcomes the new EU initiative of a Defence of democracy-package and appreciates the opportunity to provide input. UiB strongly encourages the EU to include research- and innovation needs and priorities as a central component of this package, and to acknowledge the crucial role the knowledge system plays for the open, critical, knowledge-based public debate that is the core of well-functioning democracies. In particular UiB wishes to emphasize the central role of autonomous, research-intensive universities. These universities contribute to the public debate and the development of our societies in a number of ways: by providing new knowledge through research, offering research-based education to students, laying the ground for both technical and social innovations, and not least by being an arena for continued critical discussion of problems, ideas, and solutions. UiB encourages the EU to work actively to protect academic freedom and the autonomy of universities in Europe. A broad range of research fields will be relevant to support knowledge-based policy-making for resilient democracies and defending the rule of law. UiB encourages the EU to employ existing programmes such as Horizon Europe, to promote the aim of defending democracy and the rule of law. We also encourage the EU to explicitly acknowledge the importance of providing sufficient funding for independent, curiosity-driven research without thematic restrictions, such as in the European Research Council. UiBs recent position paper on the new Strategic Plan for Horizon Europe 2025-2027 (attached) points to Democracy as one of three core challenges of the next 3 years that should be the focus of strengthened R&I efforts. We here wish to highlight the following points concerning education and R&I needs in the area of Democracy: Research within the humanities First, the Defence of democracy-package should explicitly recognize the central role that knowledge of and about languages, history and the arts plays in a consolidated democracy. European modern democracies and values have developed in critical dialogue with European history and tradition over centuries. Critical discussion supported by knowledge about languages, history, and the rich multitude of cultural perspectives present in our societies is a central part of our democratic interaction. UiB recommends prioritizing research that contributes to such historically and culturally informed critical public discussions. The European heritage Second, to uphold the European values of democracy, academic freedom, and inclusion, knowledge about these values is crucial. To maximize the potential of the European cultural heritage to promote participation in democratic practices, there must be a systematic accumulation of knowledge of this heritage. The legal and political EU order: Third, the EU (and EEA) and the ECHR are unique supranational legal orders on which research should be prioritized; currently it is under-funded and lacking a more active role in research policy given its importance for the development of rule of law in Europe. UiB regards legal research as a necessity in the defence and development of resilient democracies, not only since law regulates democracy and democratic practices, but also because national constitutional law and the supranational European legal orders are primary safeguards against democratic backsliding. Human and civil rights and AI Fourth, in a rapidly changing world, questions concerning human and civil rights are central in several of the challenges we face, for example in connection with social transformations, democratic participation, climate change, migrants and refugees, economics, and particularly digitalization. AI is a factor that represents new opportunities as well as challenges and raises many ethical and legal issues. AI-related research within a range of disciplines as well as cross-disciplinary research will therefore be needed.
Read full responseMeeting with Natasha Bertaud (Cabinet of Vice-President Margaritis Schinas)
6 Mar 2023 · Migration and Asylum