The First Cohort of the DIGIT Research School Has Crossed the Finish Line!

On April 8-9, the inaugural cohort of the DIGIT research school gathered for a final seminar at the historic Granavolden in Hadeland. Designed by the participants themselves, the seminar focused on crafting successful careers both within and outside academia.

One out of many highlights was the talk by Professor Mareile Kaufman from the TIK center for Technology, Innovation and Culture at the University of Oslo on staying in academia after completing a PhD. A key piece of advice emphasized the importance of finding a mentor and becoming one for others. Professor Heidrun Åm from the Department for Sociology and Political Science at the Norwegian University for Science and Technology shared her personal journey to securing a permanent position in academia. A secret: Building a strong CV with things that are important to you and that make you happy. In the program, we also had the pleasure of hearing from Ida Bring Løberg, who gave us a glimpse into her life as a researcher in NAV's research unit and shared about her personal experiences from various research projects at NAV. Wrapping up the seminar, Nis Johannsen, the Head of Digital Innovation at the South-Eastern Regional Health Authority (Helse Sør-Øst), gave an insightful presentation on "Career Advancement and Transitioning from PhD to a Working Life in the Public Sector." He illustrated how his PhD experience led the way for his current role, discussing both how theoretical insights from his PhD continue to shape his work and demonstrating the practical application of skills acquired during his PhD in his current position.

However, the seminar was not just about listening; Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their own career choices and projects during a 'walk and talk' session. Discussions also flowed freely about potential alumni opportunities within the research school, and a feedback session provided valuable insights for the school's leadership.

We want to extend a huge thank you to our first cohort for their participation in the initial two years of the research school!