New Challenges to Democracy

How can research and innovation contribute to a future robust society?

At this event, we will discuss what we mean by democracy today and how R&I can contribute to robust knowledge-based democracies. In parallell sessions we will address democracy in the contexts of artificial intelligence, climate change, and democratic participation platforms.  Researchers, policy makers, and experts from the European Commission and stakeholder organizations will highlight these issues together.

The goal is to present challenges, perspectives and solutions, raise awareness of democracy as a crucial research topic for Europe, and discuss how to enhance future research on democracy.

We aim to emphasize the importance of democracy in the upcoming 10th framework programme for research and innovation, placing it at the center alongside sustainable development, climate-friendly growth, and digitalization.

The event is hosted by the University of Bergen (UiB) and NORCE - Norwegian Research Centre.

Read policy briefs which are recommendations from researchers from NORCE and UiB to decision makers within the EU.

Draft Programme
New Challenges to Democracy
How can R&I contribute to a future robust society?

12:30 Networking lunch

13:30 Welcoming keynote
Margareth HAGEN, Rector, University of Bergen (UiB)
Camilla STOLTENBERG, CEO, Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE)

13:50 Keynote speech
Signe RATSO, Deputy Director General, DG RTD, European Commission

PLENARY SESSION I: Setting the Scene - Democracy in Europe in 2024

Panel debate: Democracy in Europe in 2024

Panelists:
Francisco DE LA TORRE FRANCIA, Deputy Head of Unit, DG RTD D.4, Democracy & European Values, European Commission
Assya KAVRAKOVA, Executive Director, European Citizen Action Service (ECAS)
Silvia KOTANIDIS, Policy Analyst, Citizens' Policies, DG for Parliamentary Research Services, European Parliament
Karl Harald SØVIG, Dean, Professor, The Faculty of Law, UiB
Sveinung ARNESEN, Research Professor, NORCE

Moderator: Maryline FIASCHI, CEO, Science|Business

14:55 Transitional coffee break

PARALLEL SESSIONS

15:10 Parallel 1: Democratic Tensions in Climate Politics
Panelists:
Thea GREGERSEN, Senior Researcher, NORCE
Fay FARSTAD, Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Politics, UiB
Richard YOUNGS, Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Europe
Lina STRANDVÅG NAGELL, Topic Lead, Sustainable Finance & Economy, Bellona

Moderator: Håvard HAARSTAD, Professor, Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET), UiB

15:10 Parallel 2: AI + Society + ? = Smart Society
Panelists:
Sveinung ARNESEN, Research Professor, NORCE
Malgorzata CYNDECKA, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, UiB
Nicolas MOËS, Executive Director, The Future Society

Moderator: Marija SLAVKOVIK, Head of Department, Department of Information Science and Media Studies, UiB

15:10 Parallel 3: Engaging Society and Good Democratic Deliberation
Panelists:
Andreas N. UHRE, Senior Researcher, NORCE
Adriana BUNEA, Professor, Department of Comparative Politics, UiB
Frank KUHN, Head of Sector Social Sciences, Executive Agency, European Research Council

Moderator: Anne Lise FIMREITE, Professor, Department of Government, UiB

16:00 Transitional coffee break

PLENARY SESSION II: Looking ahead – Research for Innovative Democracy

16:20
Summing up the parallel sessions

Moderator parallel 1: Håvard HAARSTAD, Professor, Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET), UiB

Moderator parallel 2: Marija SLAVKOVIK, Head of Department, Professor, Department of Information Science and Media Studies, UiB

Moderator parallel 3: Anne Lise FIMREITE, Professor, Department of Government, UiB

Moderator: Maryline FIASCHI, CEO, Science|Business

16:35 Panel debate: Looking ahead: Research for Innovative Democracy
Moderator: Maryline FIASCHI, CEO, Science|Business

Panelists:
Gabi LOMBARDO, Director, European Alliance of Social Sciences and Humanities (EASSH)
Elisabeth IVARSFLATEN, Professor, Department of Government, UiB
Ida Vikøren ANDERSEN, Senior Researcher, NORCE
Martin PAULSEN, Head of Department, Department of Foreign Languages, UiB
David MAIR, Head of Unit, Science for Democracy and Evidence-Informed Policymaking, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

17:20 Summing up the day
Margareth HAGEN, Rector, UiB
Camilla STOLTENBERG, CEO, NORCE

17:30 - 20:00: Networking reception