Erik Sauar

How Batteries Will Change the World Erik Sauar holds an impressive academic curriculum of an MSc in Chemical Engineering, an MA in Anthropology and a Dr. technician degree in Physical Chemistry. Erik believes that with the current development in battery technology we should soon be able to electrify major parts of our society. Erik is […]

Pål Moddi Knutsen

What Makes a Song Banned Pål Moddi Knutsen is a singer, songwriter and activist from the island of Senja in Northern Norway. Under the artist name Moddi, he has released several albums and toured in more than thirty countries. “Unsongs” was his fifth studio album and major commercial success, although controversial when it was released […]

Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad

Transgifted Professor Emerit Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad is a Norwegian doctor and PhD researcher who specializes in clinical sexology. The retired professor from the University of Agder was one of the first professors specializing in sexology in Norway. A prominent advocate of transgender rights, Pirelli Benestad is this year’s recipient of the gold medal for […]

Eirik Skiftenes

Why I Sleep in a Hammock Outside Every Day Every night since June 2020, 10-year-old Norwegian Eirik Skiftenes has been doing something few others do (especially 10-year-olds). Eirik has been sleeping outside in a hammock on the porch by himself. He has faced some challenges of sleeping outside, such as cold weather and mosquito bites. […]

Joakim Jørgensen

Why should you do something meaningless? Joakim Jørgensen is one half of a popular duo that posts some of the wackiest and most surrealistic pictures and videos on Instagram and Youtube under the name “The Mountain Concept“. One of their more challenging videos required him to carry a porcelain toilet bowl to the top of […]

Camilla Susann Haug

Explore Your Natural Musicality Camilla Susann Haug is a singer and songwriter from Mo i Rana in Norway. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and a Post Graduate Diploma in Music Education from the Norwegian State Academy of Music. She works today as a professional singer. In her talk, “Explore your natural musicality”, […]

Benedikte Wallace

What Happens When Art Meets AI? Benedikte Wallace is a PhD researcher at the RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Rhythm, Time and Motion at the University of Oslo. She has a background in music production and an MSc in Informatics. Her interest lies in the cross-section between art and science. Her research is centred […]

Jose Julio Gonzalez

Can Technology Help Against Technology? Professor Emeritus Jose Julio Gonzalez is a leading authority in the field of public safety and emergency preparedness. He established and led the Centre for Integrated Emergency Management (CIEM) at the University of Agder, where he worked as a Professor at the Department for Information and Communication Technology until his […]

Rick Kirkham

Careful What You Wish For Rick Kirkham is an experienced journalist and filmmaker who has dedicated his life to telling stories. Best known for his 2006 HBO show TV Junkie as well as his appearance in the Netflix series Tiger King, Kirkham has always been interested in television. He was constantly on the lookout for […]

Pia Ve Dahlen

Curiosity Saved the Catfish Did you know that a jellyfish has helped win a Nobel prize? Or that there’s a 60-meter-long, poisonous worm in the ocean, right underneath the surface? Pia Ve Dahlen, marine biologist and science communicator, dives into how curiosity for the weird and wonderful creatures in the ocean is vital for the […]