Program
Do we know nothing about nuclear power in Norway?
Stine Strand, Head of Research, Department of Energy Technology
The IFE Nuclear Power Committee's NOU sheds light on the need for competence building on nuclear power in Norway. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that even though there has not previously been commercial nuclear power in Norway, it is far from the case that we start with a blank slate. Tonight I would like to give a little insight into the long history we actually have when it comes to research on nuclear power safety in Norway – a long history that has great weight and value for the world's major nuclear power nations, but which unfortunately is little known in Norway.
The invisible capital: Why some societies succeed – while others stagnate
Glenn Agung Hole, Associate Professor, USN Porsgrunn
Why do some societies create innovation, new businesses and prosperity through generations, while others gradually lose the ability to renew themselves? We often talk about money, technology and natural resources. But perhaps the most important factors are something completely different: trust, entrepreneurship, leadership, knowledge sharing and society's ability to develop new generations of value creators. As a researcher at the University of South-Eastern Norway, I will explore why entrepreneurship is far more than starting a business during the Researcher Café 2026.
The Government Pension Fund – the world's largest piggy bank
Kristoffer Haugen, Head of Fixed Income Systematic Trading
The world's largest piggy bank is growing at a dizzying pace – but what exactly are we saving for, and who looks after the money? The oil fund owns a little bit of almost everything: from tech giants in Silicon Valley to office buildings in Paris and solar parks you've never heard of. In this lecture, we look at how a small country in the north ended up as one of the world's most powerful investors. I promise you some fun facts that will make your head spin – and maybe a new view of what "Norwegian savings" actually means.
Can we trust algorithms?
Ola Marius Lysaker, professor, USN Porsgrunn
USN's most important social mission is to educate candidates for working life and conduct research. Trust is crucial to succeed in this mission. In this presentation, we will shed light on how AI challenges trust in higher education, but also in society in general.