This summer, at a time where most of us were out of office and enjoying much needed vacation, the new law for state employees was effectuated. The first effect was immediate, and some of you might even have noticed it; internal calls of positions is no longer a possibility. Due to this, some of the positions already called were withdrawn and then called again, but this time publicly. The new law states that the best candidate is to be recruited, not the best internal candidate. Hence, all calls must be public.

The purpose of the new law is, amongst others, to reduce the use of temporary labor, which has been one of the areas the current government has focused on. During the recent years, both the faculty and the university board have had an increased interest in the share of temporary labor within the university. The department has reported on how many of our employees are employed on a temporary basis.

In addition to the new law, the University of Bergen has decided upon even stricter goals in order to reduce the use of temporary labor, ref. University board matter 65/2017. The call of research positions for a duration exceeding 2 years is from now on as a main rule considered called a permanent position. Technical and administrative positions should, as a main rule, not be temporary. Substitute positions are still allowed, but the use of administrative employment without calling the position will be even more restrictive.

Currently, we do not have any well-suited working practices to handle this change, but the faculty is working on it. Even though some positions will be called as permanent instead of temporary, the wage budget distributed to the department will not increase. We therefore need good practices to ensure new positions and areas of work for permanent employees when current projects and tasks are completed. Preferential rights and knowledge must be considered in order to match available resources with project needs. The administration needs sufficient tools to help us organize this. We are all keen on complying with the new requirements from the government and the university board, but we must arrange for a suiting way to organize and follow up.

Best regards,
Julie

In continuation of citations from Brecht, with the following arguments:

– The University Headmaster has invited us all to attend this play.

– The good person: This week two prominent academics and social commentators left us: Per Fugelli and Frank Årebrot. Fugelli has formerly teached at UiB, and I still remember his speech to our freshman medical student group regarding egoism (pay claims) versus societal responsibilities (to promote patients’ and society’s best). Årebrot was an exceptional lecturer who really managed to create enthusiasm and interest for his subjects. They were proper role models! May they rest in peace.

– Szechwan: stated as a city in China. I do not find this on the map, but the region of Sichuan south-west of China, with the province capital Chengdu and it’s approximately 14 million inhabitants, may be the most appropriate analogy. This is really FAR away and definitely different from Norway and Bergen. What is the link to this editorial? INTERNATIONALIZATION. Bullet point number three on the Dean’s list of major commitments for the Medical Faculty.

Promoting cooperation across borders opens a larger potential “stock” of professionals to be attached to our Department. While scanning through the list of PhD students and Postdocs, I see many Asian and other non-Norwegian names. When receiving e-mail responses in English and the fact that we see the need (and value!) of publishing K2-nytt also in English, proves that many international employees are attached to (and hopefully attracted by) our Department. K2 will very much encourage their employees (as well as students) to work and cooperate abroad. I stayed half a year during my postdoc period in Hong Kong, a really exciting experience for the whole family! International schooling worked well, and my husband had a similar academic affiliation. Both educational and research cooperation were initiated and have been continued further on.

Many possibilities for international cooperation do exist; Horizon2020 (the EU research and innovation program) is but one. The University of Bergen hosts a kick-off seminar 31st of October (see separate announcement in this K2-nytt). The upcoming programs/work packages will be presented, including Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing. Do look out for interesting possibilities/subjects for your scientific environment!

Jone

While waiting for the next Head of K2 to be formally appointed (since Per Bakke left us for the position as Dean) I am acting Head and will to the best of my capacity try to take care of these responsibilities. To contact me, I have office telephone ((559)7 4295), cell phone (924 25 171) and e-mail: mailto:jone.trovik@med.uib.no or mailto:jone.trovik@med.uib.no Those of you in need of a personal encounter, are welcome to my office located at 4^th floor (Norwegian counting) in the Women’s Clinic (Department building for Obstetrics and Gynecology) in the corridor facing Ulriken. This takes a brisk walk from the BBB / laboratory building or the main hospital building (Sentralblokken), hopefully contributing to the recommended 10,000 daily steps to maintain good health!

In our Dean’s inaugural speech, he pointed out three main commitments areas for the Faculty to attend. For our institute to follow these (in his ranked order!), the following may be pinpointed:

1. Students in focus

As K2’s Head of Education (Yes, I do hold several roles at present ….) I am very pleased that this aspect is on top of his list! This main University activity has to be fronted EACH day. When positions are advertised/appointed we have to take educational qualifications seriously. Do consider what each post/person may contribute in relation to educational activities. And a reminder from the administrative educational section: all teachers, please remember to use Mitt UiB/Canvas to actively check your teaching schedule and distribute educational material electronically. No one else will take care of this on behalf of you. A special pedagogy course is to be held for PhD students / postdoctoral fellows / those in academic minor positions. We are looking forward to this.

2. Interactions with other Institutes and Faculties belonging to the University of Bergen

Cooperation across traditional academic areas will potentially give new ideas and strengthen the academic community. To achieve this, we need areas to actually meet face-to-face, actively communicate and find new partners. The first upcoming possibility is Digital Day for employees (Digital Myldredag) held in Grieghallen 4^th of October. Different ongoing digitalization projects, tools and methods will be on display by more than 20 different UiB groups. What are other groups using? How may this be modified for my setting/needs?  Maybe someone has a very smart solution to something I have been struggling with?

3. Internationalization

This will be commented in a later editorial.

And regarding the title reference to Beckett’s play: I do hope the communication within K2 is not considered as absurd.

Jone

“Peace and see you later” is common to say in Israel where I will spend the next semester as guest professor at The Weizmann Institute of Science. The sabbatical arrangement is a great opportunity to establish new collaborations, build networks and set of time to plan projects and write applications. The network is not only useful for the professor him or herself. It also opens up for exchange of younger researcher in the involved groups. Several of the groups at the institute have used this opportunity in an exemplary way, such as the diabetes and lung research groups.

Staying abroad requires planning not only of the academic project, but also of the practicalities concerning work and studies for any partner, school for children and housing. The faculty provide grants each year, and funds can also be obtained from Helse Vest, the Research Council of Norway, and other funding bodies. Application deadline for research terms is 1 May each year.

It is less common for foreigners to apply for a sabbatical at K2, but our goal should be to attract good researchers from abroad who wish to spend a year with us. Don’t forget this possibility

Finally, I would like to end my term as vice head and short guest appearance as head of department, by saying shalom ve lihitraot. Now, Jone takes over until the new head of the department is ready to start.

Good weekend and good remaining 2017.

Eystein

A researcher at UiB recently published a very interesting scientific work that could potentially pave the way for a new treatment principle to increase muscle strength. In an interview with the newspaper Bergens Tidende, the journalist asked if the discovery could yield income to the researcher or UiB. The researcher shook his head before he replied: I have not thought about it. I am most concerned about helping people. That’s why I’m a researcher. Revenue is less important.

It is understandable that the researcher wishes to have his primary focus on the discovery. But the findings have only a potential utility until someone finds some practical realization of the findings. Potentiality and realization marks the difference between research and innovation. And by practical realization of the findings the researcher, through his or her expertise, can shorten the path to patient care, while at the same time acquiring additional sources of external funding and also creating new jobs.

At the Department of Clinical Science, Audun Nerland has lead a group that has looked at conditions that can improve the innovation ability at the Department. The group points, among other things, to awareness-raising about innovation and commercialization, training in the stages of the innovation process, providing facilities and meeting places, providing information about innovation-oriented research support (e.g., NFR FORNY2020, BIOTEK2021, BIA) and giving merits if you contribute to innovation. Innovation is not only relevant in research, but also in teaching, as illustrated by the project of Professor Jarle Rørvik (K1) Adap (Adaptive Online Learning Environment).

I hope that everyone, besides publications and public dissemination of their research, also considers the potential for innovation. Then, as the newly appointed Vice Dean of Innovation, I will do my best to make the best possible arrangements to make innovation happen. One of my first tasks is to find residents to the new Incubator Building, which is planned on the parking deck behind the Laboratory Building, in such a way that it promotes a culture of innovation.

Helge

Dear all K2s,

Welcome to a new semester as teachers and facilitators / contributors to all the teaching we perform at UoB and K2.

Medicine 2015 (“New Study Plan in Medicine”) is rolled out, and this autumn the old “propedeutics term” is completely reorganized. There has been an increase in research in research / journal writing, and we need urgently more fresh effort to participate. That is why all fellow students have received an email from me to request for contributions to this course now. But we also need contributions from other disciplines, so I have asked for information about each individual’s background. We will probably come back with requests for other teaching later.

Teaching is one of the main areas of responsibility for the university, and all fellows are also supposed to develop teaching skills (dissemination) during their PhD course. We therefore hope that both fellows and supervisors see the importance of contributions into teaching, also for those who have a scholarship outside of UoB.

I have received MANY positive answers. Thank you very much to those of you who show interest in contributing, and to those who have not yet answered, I hope to receive a feedback.

Wish you all a good teaching autumn!

Jone

Many of us witnessed how Karsten Warholm became world champion and won 400 meters hurdle in London on Wednesday. An amazing achievement that shows how a talent can, with systematic work, set the highest goals and reach them

Let this be an inspiration for us at K2. UiB, like Ulsteinvik, is not the metropolis for science and sport, but we can still deliever achievements in the top international level in research, teaching and dissemination. Although Warholm’s success is first and foremost his own profit, it is also the result of good helpers and an organized environment. Therefore, it is important that the university, the faculty and the department all make it possible for talent to develop and showcase. K2 will work for everyone at the department to be among the best in their area, and the new head of department will be central to this work.

When the application deadline for the position as Head of Department expired on August 4th, 4 highly qualified individuals had applied. Now the committee will look forward to finding the best suitable applicant, whom we hope to get to work on September 1st. Until then I will lead the Department.

With the hope of a productive autumn

Eystein

Acting head of department

This is the last K2Nytt editorial before the summer vacation and my last as head of the Department of Clinical Science. I will take the opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you. More than four years have passed since K2 was established, and a lot has happened these years. It has been ups and downs, but I have always felt a very strong support and kindness from every corner of K2.

With 320 employees coming from four different departments, it has for sure been conflicts of interests and different opinions of how to cope with various challenges. However, I have always felt that people have taken a strong interest in where to go, and have sincerely wanted a good solution. The occasions when some did not have it their way, the final solution has always been accepted.

There will soon be a call for the position as new head of K2. I hope that many will consider applying. It is a very rewarding job. It is a fantastic bunch of people at K2, be it the administrative, technical or scientific staff. I want the next head of K2 to be met with the same kindness as has been offered me. There are still many tasks to take on at K2.

Thanks a lot, all of you!

Per

Bob Dylan sings that it’s time to wake up for the times have changed; also for UiB and K2. The UiB Board made two decisions on June 1st that will affect us. One seems unimaginable; We are now going to be called “The Faculty of Medicine” – simple and straightforward, but at the same time clear and powerful. The second decision that Per Bakke is offered the position as Dean touches us more. I received the news with mixed feelings. I was very happy on Pers and my own behalf; The Faculty of Medicine receives a new and visionary leader. The backside, however, is that K2 will soon be without a leader.

Per has led the department through a major and extensive reorganization and has managed to get groups from different institutes to work well together with a low conflict level. Under Press Management, the business has had impressive growth. K2 researchers regularly publish in “top tier” journals, receive grants from national (K.G.-Jebsen, NFR, Cancer Society) and international funds and organizations (EU, Novo Nordisk). We have managed to pay off debt and have provided us with an action room that enables strategic measures to further improve the quality of research, teaching and dissemination.

Per, in other words, leaves an institute with good vitality and little obstructivity. When he on July 31st, extends his right arm with the baton, who is ready to grab it and the challenge of leading K2 futher?

The Department Management thinks that it will be possible to conduct own research while leading K2, as Per has shown possible with about 130 articles published since 2010. The new department head gets its own post-doc position, a reliable management and the ability to build up a senior management team – all to facilitate high academic activity.

We hope that «The Times They are a-changin» in a positive way and that many, both internal and external, see the opportunities that lie in the position of head of department and apply.

Eystein

The government has made it clear that the universities are to promote digitalization within all fields. Traditionally we have considered digitalization primarily as a tool to optimize administrative services. In recent years digitalization within teaching and at examinations have become more common. A good example is the efforts done by Martin Biermann of which he received the Faculty Dissemination Prize 2017.

Also, research may benefit from digitalization. As part of the efforts to respond to the requests from the government, the university has made a strategy for digitalization.  UoB will establish working groups for how to promote digitalization within teaching and research, and within the administrative services. I have heard some state that digitalization is just a way to make the scientists do secretary work. This assessment is too simple.

The university will organize a “Come together day” on digitalization 4 October 2017 in Grieghallen. The aim is to present various ways of digitalization to promote teaching and research, as well as administrative services. Those who might have projects that could be presented in Grieghallen, please notify this by sending an e-mail to org2022@uib.no within Monday 12 June.^.

The event in Grieghallen will be open to everybody at the university. Note the date! Digitalization is here to come, we should join it. By visiting Grieghallen 4 October, we might get some good ideas to use in our own research, teaching or administrative work

Per

Thanks to the OSCE-lad Ketil Grong for steady organization, motivation, arrangement and evaluation. And thanks to those who made assignments and contributed as examinators as well as timer/organizator.

For those who haven’t understood what this is; Objective Structured Clinical Exam, to replace traditonal oral examinations. Stations are made with a task that should be clinically directed, this year they had 14 different tasks that ran parallell in two ”rounds”
So every task duplicated; held in two different rooms with an examinator each. The students were doing 14 different assignments this time; tuning fork test, makroanatomi, identify heart structures, hypertension/ Control blood pressure, heartauscultation, throatpalpation, abdomen and rectal Exploration, joint status survey, Cardiac pulmonary resuscitation, talking and interpreting about normal EKG, case history (communication), microscopy/ evaluation of culturedishes, hip examination and finally geriatri (the latter post I don’t quite know what was about)

The OSCE-lad with a tenical assisstent rigged the day before (at the Medical Skills Center and the course rooms in the BBB building a few examiners stuck their head in. 32 students attended the exam, two ”resting stations” between the 14 active examinatior = 2,5 hours of active examinations, after 4 hours of clean-up.

Conclusion: the students were satisfied. The OSCE general tired (but satisfied?), but needs more PRACTICAL / ADMINISTRATIVE help next time

Challenges: Electronic solution for how to record earnings per station must immediately be procuted. When this is rolled out on a large scale; 160 students each spring 6th semester need more parallel circles and both area and equipment must be dobbled.

Next OSCE autum 2017 is November 8th. That assumes that ALL Groups from K2 with tuition allowance in 1st -6th semester (that means the Three first years of study) MUST prepare at least one station assignment each and have avaliable Three People who can be examinatior per ask one delivers. That means NO ordinary teaching this day. And it is assumed that you have peronnel availability (not a good day to plan/ go to a congress/Meetings)

Spring 2018 we’re have the first OSCE for the Whole class, that means 5 parallel sections. We will need 65 examinators and then it will definitely be FACULTY LOCKDOWN. The date will be announced early in the fall, so that Teachers can be allocated here.

But before that time: Happy Pentecost!

Jone

This week I have attended the annual ATS (American Thoracic Society) conference in Washington. One of the sessions at the conference was about global warming and lung health. The first part of the session was science, the other politics. This editorial will deal with the latter. One of the speakers was Carol Browner, who served as director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy under the Obama administration, and is also a previous head of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). She presented a rather shocking outline of the methods used by the oil, coal and automobile industry to misinform about global warming and health consequences. These methods make those used by the tobacco industry regarding cigarette smoking and health to look like nothing. These industries are now backed by the current head of EPA under the Trump administration, Scott  Pruitt. He has now laid off scientists, closed EPA web pages, and is planning to reduce the agency by about one third.

Does this concern us? Yes, as it does all of us, but also according to the ex-head of EPA, Carol Browner, particularly so as researchers. In this case, it affects particularly scientists into climate and health. The next time it could be other topics.

As researchers, we have traditionally had little interest to communicate our knowledge to the population at large. What is important is the scientific journals. However, times have changed, and so must we. Scientific publications does not exclude dissemination to the public. A good example is the communication about consequences of lack of vaccination that Becky and Kristin from K2 had last year.

Fake news and alternative facts should be opposed. This is a particularly responsibility for university employees!

Per

The ERC was created to address the need to develop long-term funding for researchers to pursue ground-breaking, high-risk/high-gain research where the intention is to establish excellent research environments in Europe. Scientific excellence is therefore the sole evaluation criterion for selecting the principal investigator and the scientific project. The ground-breaking nature and ambition of the project must be balanced by feasibility. In addition, the intellectual capacity, creativity and commitment of the principal investigator are evaluated. Proposals should cross the boundaries between different fields of research and ERC is welcoming pioneering proposals addressing new and emerging fields of Research.

The principal investigator of an ERC Starting Grant shall have been awarded his or her first PhD degree > 2 and < 7 years ago, while this period for the ERC Consolidator Grant is > 7 and < 12 years. Clinical training, long-term illness, maternity- and paternity leaves can be taken into consideration when calculating the effective elapsed time.

The ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants are looking for independent young and mid-career scientists who may become the future top notch researchers and/or leaders in their research field. What could, in your case, be seen as proof of research independence? It is expected that the applicant will have produced at least one important publication as main author or without the participation of their PhD supervisor for Starting Grant candidates, and several such publications for Consolidator Grant candidates.

For 2016, the success rate for Life Sciences proposals was 14 % for Starting and Consolidator Grant proposals; success rates which are in line with, or even higher than, similar programs from the Research Council of Norway.

We urge you to contact us if you consider applying for these grants during 2017 or 2018. The call for the Starting Grant will most likely open during summer 2017 and usually has deadline during October, while the Consolidator Grant call is expected to open during fall 2017 with the expected deadline during February 2018. In that respect, we want to make you aware of the ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants Course arranged by the Division of Research Administration at UiB. Representatives from the company Beacon Tech will guide you through the proposal elements and talk about presenting the research idea and yourself. You can book a session with them after lunch to discuss your idea and further questions. The course takes place 14 June at Hotel Ørnen and you can register via this link.

Helge, Eystein, Amra and Itana