Inga Elizabeth Bruskeland
Program: ESST
Graduation year: 2012
Previous education: Visual Communications, Glasgow School of Art
What was your thesis about?
My thesis concerned how Norway uses national R&D funding in European programs, and I interviewed representatives from relevant ministries and agencies on the motivation to participate in the Joint Programming Initiatives, and on the governance systems which define how national funding is spent on the European level.
What is your current occupation, and how do you use your background from ESST?
After graduating, I have been working at the Norwegian Research Council as the Norwegian coordinator for a European funding program. I was already working here when I discovered ESST, and the master was perfect for acquiring a better vocabulary to understand, discuss and develop what we do. Also, the ability to understand different innovation systems is valuable, as the program is run by more than 30 countries.
Compared to other students, which strengths are special for those coming from TIK/ESST?
The multidisciplinary aspect is definitely a strength; the combination of STS and innovation studies fosters an understanding of both social and economic aspects of technology, and studies at TIK give you the tools to better understand and work across disciplines.
What was one of your most useful experiences while studying at TIK?
The discussions with students and lecturers alike. The different perspectives they brought challenged my own, and broadened my understanding of a topic.
What is your best advice for new or prospective students at TIK?
Engage, ask questions, discuss, challenge each other, and don’t be afraid to disagree. You are here because you can bring a different perspective to the discussion.
Maria Kristina Stokke
Program: TIK
Graduation year: 2014
Previous education: Human Geography, University of Oslo
What was your thesis about?
My thesis was about a pilot solar energy project in a Kenyan village, and the attempts to up-scale the project in another part of the country. I conducted a field study, which is unusual at TIK, but also very rewarding. Studying what made the project work in different phases, I found that many important factors in one phase where lost when the project up-scaled, which is in line with the idea that technology is social and that a process of a successful technology transfer also is a process of translation. In other words, when building new systems, they have to be adjustable to the context where it is to work.
What is your current occupation, and how do you use your background from TIK?
I work with fundraising and mobilisation in the NGO Norwegian Church Aid. We use different databases and platforms in almost everything we do, meaning that we spend quite some time optimising these systems. Often, the issue is whether it’s a technical matter (i.e. the system is not good enough) or a social matter (i.e. we need better routines). My background from TIK helps me analyse and solve such issues. Prior to this, I worked with solar energy in Malawi, taking part in developing and testing new models for energy supply.
Compared to other students, which strengths are special for those coming from TIK/ESST?
We learn about society’s use and development of new technologies, helping us develop an open and creative mindset whilst remaining nuanced and critical. We do not fear change, but neither do we automatically embrace new trends. This competence is needed by all employers who make decisions in a world exposed to an ever-increasing pace of technical change and development.
What is your best advice for new or prospective students at TIK?
Keep on exploring the topics that interest you, even if you don’t find the core competence at the TIK Centre right away! For my thesis I collaborated with an external project, and had two supervisors. It worked out completely fine, and I’m glad I persisted in what I wanted to do.
Lasse Gullvåg Sætre
Program: TIK
Graduation year: 2017
Previous education: Human Geography, University of Oslo
What was your thesis about?
I wrote about control systems, or more generally ERTMS – a European signalling system for railways – and the rolling out of a European suprastate/-market through technological standardization. Through investigating the entangled historical and technological developments of railways, computers, labour and political control, my goal was to contribute to the debate on democracy and the connection between cosmopolitan elitism and fascist tendencies.
What is your current occupation, and how do you use your background from TIK?
Currently I’m employed at the Railway Directorate, mapping flows in and around the Norwegian railway, while trying to establish some in-house geographic information system competency and routines. My background from the free software movement and geography was probably more important than my master for this job, but the gig ends early December, upon which I’ll hopefully move on to something more relevant for my degree. Meanwhile, I’m moonlighting as a web developer and cartographer.
What was one of your most useful experiences while studying at TIK?
Being a research assistant gave the most learning experience overall. Shadowing a “real scientist”, I saw how interviews about seemingly technical and boring topics can get intense and emotional when done right. It was taxing, but worthwhile, work.
What is your best advice for new or prospective students at TIK?
Learn Python and use the UiO Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform while you can. Also, be careful when taking advice from recent graduates – they might be just as lost and confused as you are.
