This text has been translated from Norwegian with the assistance of GPT UiO.
How is your research put to use?
– My research consists of both externally funded projects (CIDEL, RECON, EU3D, DICE, PLURISPACE, REDIRECT, REGROUP, NFR projects) and self-initiated work. In both cases, I strive to find a balance between fundamental research and applied research.
– The EU3D project (Differentiation, Dominance, and Democracy in the European Union), which I coordinated, comprised both a theoretical analysis of democracy within a multi-level EU as a political system and direct dissemination into the EU system, its member states, and affiliated non-members like Norway. The dissemination component was augmented by the three projects funded by the EU to examine the composition and complexity of the EU, coming together in the dissemination project DICE (Differentiation: Clustering Excellence). This involved well over 150 researchers across Europe, many of whom were think tanks with strong ties to their respective countries' governments.
– In many instances, research funded by the EU or the NFR yields results far beyond the project period because new opportunities emerge, and the projects create networks and visibility, leading to invitations from both researchers and public and private institutions. In Norway, we received additional funding to communicate our findings. This has resulted in various publications, including the recently released book "Which Norway in Which Europe?" (Cappelen-Damm 2025).
– The research is also utilised in a more directly policy-relevant manner. One example is the UK's decision to hold a referendum on leaving the EU. At that time, I had already written extensively about Norway's relationship with the EU and was subsequently invited by various British organisations to discuss the so-called Norway model, which is Norway's relationship with the EU. Invitations came from the Royal Society in Scotland and several universities across Britain. I've also made three appearances at the House of Lords, twice to present books and most recently this summer as an expert witness in the Northern Ireland Committee. A few years ago, I was invited to write a report by the Scottish Parliament (this was co-authored with Jan Ed?y, formerly employed at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development). Last year, I was also invited to join a High-Level Group on Neighbourhood Interdependencies, tasked with advising the EU Council of Ministers. The group includes former ambassadors, academics, representatives from private business, and former officials from both member states and affiliated non-members.
– As part of EU3D and my involvement with the academic advisory group for the EU Parliament's European House of History museum, EU3D was invited to organise a seminar at the EU's Jean Monnet House near Paris. There, we discussed the EU3D project with researchers from the EU Parliament and the former administrative head of the EU Parliament. This session was filmed.
– The challenge of clearly stipulating how and in what manner research has been utilised is that such processes are difficult to document, as researchers often develop ideas and arguments that users apply in ways they find most relevant. I regularly receive feedback from users about the need for analyses that provide a more comprehensive overview of a problem area, something practitioners rarely have time for in a busy work schedule. At the same time, we as researchers need a robust understanding of what we are researching, and practitioners are vital for that. The collaboration between researchers and practitioners has many positive aspects, as both parties possess something the other needs, and the interaction contributes to both new knowledge and important corrections.
Who used the results - for instance in policy, in practice, in private sector, public administration or civil society?
– As far as I can see, all these groups have been exposed to my research, as described above. I have also both organised and participated in numerous conferences where researchers and practitioners have come together to discuss important issues. In connection with writing several recently published books about Norway's relationship with the EU and the UK, we've organised gatherings with practitioners to discuss our ideas with them, which has been very fruitful.
How have you worked to ensure that your research contributes to a positive social development?
– Since research projects increasingly emphasise dissemination, researchers play a more active role in societal affairs and public debates than before. This has bearings on our understanding of ourselves as researchers. We cannot merely assume the role of spectators; we must acknowledge that we are also participants. With this comes a vital responsibility to uphold the norms and values inherent in the role of researcher whilst also being clear about when we are acting as researchers and when we are not. Having a clear understanding of roles and avoiding role confusion is crucial.
– I've also tried to identify relevant knowledge needs and have directed at least parts of my research towards this, especially concerning Norway's relationship with the EU. There was a marked need for more knowledge about Norway's relationship with the EU both before and after the UK's referendum. This was relevant for other parts of my research. Therefore, I co-authored the book "Squaring the Circle on Brexit: Can the Norway Model Work?" with Hans-Petter Graver, Faculty of Law, UiO. The publisher connected us with The Conversation, which conducts global research dissemination, and the short article summarising the book's content was read by over 10,000 people across all continents. Other means have included blog posts and podcasts. In connection with the EU-funded EU3D project, which spanned four years and involved around 50 researchers in 10 countries, we established collaboration with a British organisation that disseminated blog posts and the project produced a number of blog posts.
Do you have any tip or experiences you want to share with colleagues, so that their research are put to use?
– My most important advice is that we must always be mindful of the core norms and values that constitute the role of researcher, regardless of what and whom we engage with. Furthermore, I would emphasise that this should not hinder us from actively ensuring that our research is utilised as much as possible. However, our credibility as researchers is particularly important to guard in today’s polarised world. Credibility does not stem directly from neutrality or impartiality but from being open and transparent on the assumptions that inform our research. Therefore, normative research is both important and valuable, but it must be subjected to ongoing reality assessments.
– Regarding dissemination, we found in EU3D that close collaboration with the think tank Bruegel in Brussels was highly beneficial. We had committed to writing at least five different 'policy briefs', i.e. policy advice based on our research. My experience is that researchers often overestimate how easy it is to reach the general public. Reaching out is virtually an art form that research communicators and journalists master far better than we do. Bruegel was responsible for the production of these five policy briefs and organised a half-day workshop where one of their staff, a former journalist at the Financial Times, reviewed and critiqued early drafts. This was extremely instructive for all involved. I can highly recommend such training sessions.
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Read also the Research Dean's editorial: A world marked by change: responsibility through social innovation?