Universities oppose shrinking of research council board

Downgrading Forskningsrådet’s size could lead to a lack of expertise and representation, warns Universities Norway

Norway’s universities are opposing a planned reduction in the number of members of the board at the Forskningsrådet, the country’s research council.

Universities Norway (UHR), a council representing 32 universities and colleges, said it feared that a reduction of the board’s size could impact its scientific expertise and its diversity. In a letter to the Norwegian research ministry, the organisation’s leaders said there was ongoing concern over the board’s ability to fulfil its function in a smaller capacity.