Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Why Spark matters
Climate change, geopolitical instability and rapid technological developments are making energy decisions increasingly complex. How can societies reduce emissions and secure reliable energy supplies while protecting the environment, supporting economic resilience and ensuring social justice?
These challenges are particularly pressing in Norway, a major producer of both fossil and renewable energy with close ties to EU climate and energy policy.
Debates about land use, resource extraction, nuclear power and critical minerals reveal how closely energy decisions are connected to political priorities, environmental concerns and the interests of local communities. Growing energy demand from technologies such as AI adds another dimension.
Addressing these challenges requires expertise across disciplines.
NMBU has considerable research strengths in energy systems, natural resources, technology, economics and society, but much of this expertise has previously been dispersed across faculties. Spark! responds to the need for closer cooperation, coordinated research initiatives and joint applications for national and European research funding.
What we explore
Spark! is a radically interdisciplinary platform for research and education. Its ambition is to strengthen and raise the profile of NMBU's expertise at the intersection of energy, society and the environment.
The arena will focus on five interconnected research priorities:
- Energy systems, land use and ecosystems
How can we meet society's energy needs while protecting ecosystems and managing competing demands for land? This research area brings together expertise on energy systems, land use, ecosystems, climate impacts and long-term sustainability. - Society and just energy transitions
Who benefits from the energy transition, and who bears the costs? Drawing on economics, urban and regional development, land-use studies and political governance, this area examines how energy transitions affect livelihoods, regional economies and social justice. - Critical materials and circular economy
How can we secure the resources needed for new energy technologies without creating new environmental pressures? Research will address natural resources, bio-based materials, circular economy approaches and the governance of critical materials throughout their value chains. - Politics, power and governance
Who shapes the energy transition, and whose interests prevail? This area examines how institutions, power relations and political decision-making influence energy transformations, including responses to geopolitical challenges. - Acceptance and legitimacy
What makes energy development acceptable to some communities but contested by others? Research will explore how different groups perceive and assess the social and environmental consequences of energy production, including questions of culture, climate, security and preparedness.
- Energy systems, land use and ecosystems
How we work
Spark! aims to turn interdisciplinary ambition into practical cooperation through joint research, education, academic exchange and engagement with society:
- Joint research and funding
Researchers across NMBU's faculties will work together to develop research proposals and seek funding from national and European programmes. The plans include joint applications in environmentally friendly energy and critical raw materials, building on existing research strengths to develop new collaborations. - Research training and student involvement
Spark! aims to improve opportunities for students to participate in research and strengthen joint supervision of master's and doctoral candidates across faculties. This work will build on NMBU's Students in Research initiative. - Interdisciplinary teaching
The arena plans to develop interdisciplinary courses for master's students and continuing education, combining academic expertise with knowledge and experience from external partners. The longer-term ambition also includes establishing a joint interdisciplinary master's programme. - Academic exchange and innovation
Regular interdisciplinary meetings will bring researchers together to share findings, discuss new research and teaching initiatives, and plan further collaboration. These meetings will also help identify opportunities for innovation in technology, products and services. - Research-based advice
Spark! aims to make NMBU's research more accessible to public authorities, civil society, businesses and policymakers. Through research communication and knowledge exchange, the arena will help connect scientific evidence with practical challenges and policy development.
- Joint research and funding
Four faculties, broad expertise
Spark! brings together complementary expertise from four NMBU faculties, spanning the natural sciences, technology, economics, planning and governance. Together, these perspectives provide a foundation for understanding how energy systems and technological developments interact with natural resources, economic interests, political decisions and society:
News and events
4Sept
Kick Off MeetingMeeting to Constitute the Cooperation Arena. All Welcome!! Thor Larsen Loft. 3rd Floor. Tivoli Building. NMBU Campus
19OctNext arena meeting
Details to follow
Participating projects
Empowered Futures
Empowered Futures is a research school providing research-based competence on conflict mediation, equitable policy and development frameworks to achieve just energy transition
People
Leadership
Members
(Alphabetical after last name)
External members
Lindis Skipperud
Professor
Tel. 91001777
Interested in collaborating?
Spark! welcomes researchers, students and organisations from public administration, business, civil society and academia who are interested in exploring joint research, interdisciplinary education, seminars and knowledge exchange.
Get in touch to discuss opportunities for cooperation.