Preparing for Research Stays Abroad

mai

Oslo

This interactive one-day seminar is designed for master’s students and early career researchers at academic institutions in Norway who are planning research stays or fieldwork abroad. The seminar combines perspectives on mental wellbeing, personal safety, power relations, and ethical grey areas in research.

Young researchers are often academically well prepared, yet less prepared for the psychological, ethical, and safety-related challenges that may arise during fieldwork and research stays. These challenges can include stress and pressure, exposure to difficult or unpredictable situations, power imbalances, ethical dilemmas, and concerns related to personal security and emergency preparedness.

The aim of the seminar is to raise awareness of these issues and to provide participants with practical tools, shared reflections, and strategies for coping—before, during, and after research stays. Through facilitated discussions and interactive exercises, participants will be invited to share concerns and experiences, and to collaboratively explore ways of maintaining wellbeing, integrity, and safety while conducting research abroad.

The seminar will be held in English and in person from 09-1600, place central Oslo (TBD), with an emphasis on active participation, dialogue, and peer learning.
The seminar will be facilitated by Erika Rojas and Ole Johannes Kaland and a clinical psycologist (TBD).

Facilitators

Ole Johannes Kaland is a training advisor at Norec and holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Sussex. Before Norec he has been a lecturer and done research and work centers on marginalized youth, family dynamics, governance, and mobility, with field experience from China and Taiwan.

Erika Rojas is a training advisor at Norec. She holds a PhD in International Development Studies from NMBU. Her research focuses on gender-based violence, security, and power, drawing on fieldwork in El Salvador and peace studies in Colombia using feminist and decolonial perspectives.

A clinical psychologist (TBD) with extensive experience working with individuals and groups in high-pressure environments, including academia. His/hers contribution will focus on mental wellbeing, stress management, resilience, and mental hygiene related to fieldwork and research stays.