Bergen School of Global Studies launched

“Bergen School of Global Studies is a timely and strategically important initiative. It builds on a long history of global engagement and pulls together resources from a number of disciplines and faculties,” said Pro-Rector Margareth Hagen, at the launch of the new initiative that took place at the University Aula on 3 November. 

Watch the opening

“As part of our strategic work, we will provide our knowledge to meet the UN sustainability goals and we will deliver knew knowledge that prepares society for the new challenges,” said Pro-Rector Hagen. 

With Bergen School of Global Studies (BSGS), the University seek to increase interdisciplinary collaboration and provide new areas for Norwegian and international students to engage with the many research groups in Bergen working on complex global challenges.

“The challenges related to the climate, migration and inequality cut across traditional knowledge boundaries and systems. We find there is a need to open the knowledge systems – to really open them up – and increase interdisciplinary cooperation in research and education,” said Professor Bente Moen, leader of Global Challenges and Centre for International Health at UiB.

Guide, facilitate and develop
“Understanding global challenges, such as climate change and social inequality, requires collaboration between the different disciplines. Interdisciplinarity in education and research collaboration are therefore key to solving the challenges ahead.”

The focus of Bergen School of Global Studies is master-level education, and it will help students to navigate relevant programmes, courses and PhD elevator courses taught in English. It will also facilitate connections to leading research groups within the University, but also throughout Bergen.

The idea for a 'school of global studies' in Bergen is not a new one, but it was formally explored by a working group led by Professor Haldis Haukanes at Department of Health Promotion and Development. She presented the report “Towards a school of global studies” in 2019, which reccomended the formation of 'Bergen School of Global Studies' with an Advisory Committee ("Bærekraftkollegiet") with members from all the faculties.

With the report in hand, and backed by the rectorate, Professor Siri Gloppen set out to create a Bergen School of Global Studies, established as part of the University's strategic work on Global Challenges.

The place for global studies
“Our vision is to make studying in Bergen even more attractive and worthwhile for students who seek knowledge and skills that can enable them to contribute towards solving global challenges”, said Professor Gloppen, who also leads the Centre on Law and Social Transformation.

Together with Professor Lise Rakner at Department of Comparative Politics, she will lead the work of finding the way and the will for coordinating the diversity of courses and research groups at UiB and Bergen. 

“We have an open-door policy, and invite in all relevant courses, but also other activities focusing on global challenges, such as research centres and initiatives. Coordinating this is a bit of a struggle, since there is so much going on, with new things forming all the time!,” she said.

BSGS will showcase relevant courses and activities to students, as well as facilitate and development cross-faculty collaboration and promoting new courses  - to make the most what we already have. Particularily at master and PhD level, the connection between teaching and research is especially improtant.