Peace Research Institute Oslo Little land, big questions A researcher in Norway J. Peter Burgess

Peace Research Institute Oslo

Little land, big questionsA researcher in Norway

J. Peter Burgess





Factsheet NorwayLife in NorwayNorway as research nation Life of a researcher in Norway



Factsheet Norway

Geography

Population: 5 000 000 Area: 149,000 square miles (≈ New Mexico)Length: 1,500 miles (≈ Vancouver-San Diego)Coastline: 16,000 milesPopulation density: 35 people per square mileLand borders: Sweden, Finland, RussiaSea Borders: Barents Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea



Factsheet Norway

Historically: Northern-Germanic At least 1 Norwegian parent: 87%Immigrant or born in Norway of immigrants: 13%Europe: 49%Asia: 34%Africa: 13%South & Central America: 3%North America: 2%

Ethnicity



Political system: Constitutional monarchyConstitution day: 15 May 1814Monarch: King Harald V Current government: Center-left coalition, (Labor Party)Party landscape: Seven major parties GDP (2011): $484 trillionPer capita reserves: $114,000 (highest in the world)Resources: Petroleum, hydropower, fishNATO: MemberEFTA: MemberEEA: MemberEU: Associated member

Politics

Factsheet Norway


Life in general

Growing ethnic diversity: urbanisation Hourly productivity: High; short work daysWelfare: 22%; Disability: 13% (highest in OECD)Local culture: Patriotic Dialects: Speak with prideDistrict policy: Local identity, wealth productionTransport: Strap-hanger airlinesSports: = CultureNature: Nothing metaphysical!

Life in Norway


Wage equality: NormalizedWorking hours: Informally enforced Cultural homogeneity: ShiftingWeather: DramaticReligion: Secular ChristianitySun worship: What are you doing indoors?!Aesthetics: Utilitarian

Insider’s outside view

Life in Norway



7 universities (Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø, Stavanger, Agder, Bodø)25 university collegesPrivate colleges

University sector

Norway as research nation



Institute sector

Strong institute sectorInternational research collaborationResearch focus:Social sciences

Economics (Plan-economy tradition)Regional development (Regional identity)International affairs (Development, peace)Development studies (Brundtland report)

Climate sciences (Brundtland report) Techno-industry

Petroleum science (Oil and gas)Biology (Fisheries)

Norway as research nation



Life as a researcher in Norway

Strong research cultureCommunity feelingPrioritized areasLife sciencesPetroleum engineeringFisheryDevelopment‘Peace and conflict’Societal securitySupport mechanismsInstitutional Research Council

EU information and guidanceEU project development support

Excellent infrastructureHigh salariesGood working conditions



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Documents

Peace Research Institute Oslo Little land, big questions A researcher in Norway J. Peter Burgess