The University Museum in Bergen receives European Award

The department of natural history at the University Museum in Bergen won the price "THE PORTIMÃO MUSEUM PRIZE FOR WELCOMING, INCLUSION AND BELONGING". They received this price for their work for their audience, and for the way they contribute to society. 

"This is a recognition of the work UiB, and the University Museum put down both during the rehabilitation of the museum and in the development of new exhibitions. The University Museum’s commitment to research communication has resulted in a university museum of high international standards of which we can be proud of", says museum director Kari Loe Hjelle. 

The University Museum in Bergen was also nominated for the category of “Museum of the Year”. That award, however, went to the Dutch museum Museum of the Mind.

The Rector of UiB Margareth Hagen was pleased with the recognition.

"This is a proud day for the University of Bergen. The University Museum is closely linked to the identity of the university. Not only is it the university’s precursor, but today it is also one of our most important arenas for research communication. The Musesum gives us a unique opportunity to meet the surrounding community. Simultaneously, it is more than a dissemination arena, it serves as an important actor for research and management", she says. 

In their justification for the award, the jury writes, among other things;

The Museum has strong links to the institution of which it belongs to. With all its exhibitions, the museum fulfills its social function in an excellent way and thereby demonstrates how a university can benefit from its museum to contribute to society by conveying knowledge with an enthusiastic participation from the audience, who clearly feels welcome. 

The museum received recognition in 2021 for the rehabilitation and the further development of their department of nature history. At that time, the university museum was awarded «The Norwegian museum of the year” from the Norwegian association of museums.

"During a time where we’re seeing an increased skepticism towards research-based knowledge, the university museum’s investment in research communication is an important strategy for the University of Bergen. This gives back to society and facilitates knowledge-based decisions, says department manager for research communication at the university museum", Eli Hausken.

She states that what is unique about the university museum is that they not only convey knowledge, but also showcase the actual research process to the audience. 

It is the European council’s museum forum who hands out the museum awards. 

Above you can watch the video presentation of the University Museum which was presented during the award ceremony.