Activities
Meet us at inspirational events focused on digitalization, culture and society, presented by expert researchers and professionals from outside the research sector. This page provides an overview of the academic activities available to DIGIT-participants.
Writing retreat with DIGIT
Writing retreat with DIGIT
Would you like to participate in a three-day workshop focused on academic writing?
The aim of this retreat is to bring participants together in a quiet environment to concentrate exclusively on scientific writing. The program will include dedicated time for active writing as well as peer-to-peer discussions in groups. Each participant will also receive personalized feedback on their text from the course leaders.
Writing Retreat
at Rømskog hotel
When: 11-13 December 2024
Application deadline: 15 October 2024
Application: https://nettskjema.no/a/441078. Please note, your place is not reserved until you here back from us. We have limited capacity (12 spots).
Prerequisites: A paper draft (2000-4000 words), kappa draft or similar must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language by Desember 2 at the latest. Please upload your draft here: https://nettskjema.no/a/441079
The writing retreat is open for DIGIT members only. All reasonable costs (economy travel up to 2500 NOK and full board at Rømskog Spa and Resort) will be covered.
Content
The workshop is structured to provide you with dedicated and uninterrupted time for individual writing. In addition to focused sessions for drafting your text, the workshop will include peer-to-peer feedback sessions, walk-and-talk discussions, and personalized feedback from the course leaders. Participants will be organized into smaller writing groups, where you will present your paper to your colleagues and the course leaders. You will also serve as a discussant for the work of your fellow group members.
To maintain focus, we ask all participants to fully commit to the entire program and refrain from external obligations during the days.
The workshop will be led by Marit Haldar from OsloMet and Kari-Steen Johnsen from the Institute for Social Research in Oslo.
Please scroll down to view the preliminary program.
See program (PDF download)
Course leader
Marit Haldar is professor of sociology at OsloMet and the director of DIGIT. Throughout her research-career she has been concerned with ideology and cultural analysis of childhood, old age, gender, family and (social) technology. She has also studied marginalized subjects in the welfare state and inequalities in treatment in the health care system from an ideological perspective. Haldar has broad and long experience with most qualitative methods and has developed new methods that are discussed in highly regarded international method literature (see Silverman, D. 2011, "Interpreting qualitative data", 4th ed. London: Sage). She has held courses in qualitative methods and writing courses at least once a year since 2011 and has extensive experience in providing feedback on texts in both the humanities and social sciences.
Course leader
Kari Steen-Johnsen works as a Research Professor at the Institute for Social Research in Oslo.
She is a political sociologist, who is interested in the conditions for democratic participation in the broad sense, emphasizing the consequences of digitalization and social media. Her research includes themes such as political mobilization and organization, citizen’s news use and political knowledge, as well as public debate and the freedom of speech.
Methodologically, Steen-Johnsen has used both survey methods and qualitative interviews, and she has also led projects using digital trace data.
Please feel free to contact the DIGIT coordinator should you have any questions.
3-day DIGIT course: : Qualitative analysis and theory development using Stepwise-Deductive Induction (SDI)
Qualitative analysis and theory development using Stepwise-Deductive Induction (SDI)
Kick off-course on Digitalization, Culture and Society for Class of 2024
Welcome to the DIGIT-kick off course for class of 2024! Members and partners meet for lectures, group discussions and presentations.
2-day DIGIT course: Digitalization and the world of work
Digitalization and the world of work
The World as a Testbed — Online Reading Group
The World as a Testbed — Online Reading Group
There is a general trend in industry and research to make society “AI ready” which also became an important concern in government. This is often accompanied by an accelerated implementation of AI into different societal settings and governmental operations itself, in which fast implementations and real-world scenarios became the testing ground for such technologies. But how do we study those new and fast innovation movements and its impact on society from an STS and social science perspective?
Over three online meetings we will read several of Noortje Marres’ work on the societal impact of tech testing and trials as well as some supporting articles which her work draws from. In the final meeting Marres will join us online.
The group is organized in collaboration with the TIK center at the University of Oslo, and it is part of this years TIK 25 anniversary.
Online Reading Group
When:
Sep 27 - Session 1 - 14:00-15:00 Introduction
Oct 11 - Session 2 - 14:00-15:00 Theory / Concepts
Oct 28 - Session 3 - 14:00-15:00; AI and testing with Noortje Marres
Where: Zoom
Registration: https://nettskjema.no/a/443562
Who is it for? The reading group is primarily for participants of the DIGIT research school. However, unless there is an overwhelming turnout, it is open to others as well.
Content
There is a general trend in industry and research to make society “AI ready” which also became an important concern in government. This is often accompanied by an accelerated implementation of AI into different societal settings and governmental operations itself, in which fast implementations and real-world scenarios became the testing ground for such technologies. But how do we study those new and fast innovation movements and its impact on society from an STS and social science perspective?
Since it can be challenging as a social scientist to study the changes that occur in our research field, we thought to initiate a research group and discuss such problems with Noortje Marres, Professor in Science, Technology and Society in the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies at the University of Warwick. She has written extensively on issues of digital technologies and testing
In this reading group we want to get better acquainted with Marres´ work on the societal impact of tech testing and trials. Over three meetings we will read several of Marres articles, as well as some supporting articles which her work draws from. In the final meeting Marres will join us online. Here she will provide a brief introduction to her work and address any questions we may have."
How do I participate?
Sign up through the link above to receive a zoom invitation and ascribed literature. Then, read the assigned texts, and prepare some reflections on how these readings can illuminate your own field of study/empirical material (if applicable). We know that people come from different disciplines and might have little or no knowledge of Marres work from beforehand, but this is open for everyone and should be a space for intellectual exploration. So tag along!
Program and readings
1. Session; Introduction (27.09, 14:00-15:00)
Orit Halpern (2019) The Planetary Test
Marres (2020) Put to the test: For a new sociology of testing
Additional reading;
Marres (2017) How to think sociologically about the digital society?
Grill (2022) Constructing Certainty in Machine Learning: On the performativity of testing and
its hold on the future.
2. Session; Theory / Concepts (11.10, 14:00-15:00)
Marres (2024) How tech trials test society: trials of implicitness (innovation eco-systems)
Additional reading;
Rouvroy (2013) The end(s) of critique
Star (1989)
3. Session; AI and testing with Noortje Marres (TBA: most likely a date between 28.10-01.11)
Marres (2024) AI as super-controversy: Eliciting AI and society controversies with an extended expert community in the UK
Additional reading;
Louise Amoore (2023) Machine learning political orders
Baumer et.a. (2024) Algorithmic Subjectivities
Goal of the reading group
Get acquainted with the work of Noortje Marres
Learn methods and approaches to studying the digital through an STS and sociological perspective.
Learn how to study digital technologies "beyond the laboratory" and the diverse forms of testing in societal settings as critical interfaces between science, engineering, nature and society.
Contributor
Noortje Marres
Noortje Marres is a Professor in Science, Technology and Society in the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies at the University of Warwick.
Organizers
The reading group is organised by Tanja Knaus and Torjus Solheim Eckhoff, both PhD candiates at the TIK centre, in collaboration with DIGIT, and it is part of this years TIK 25 anniversary.
Please feel free to contact the DIGIT coordinator should you have any questions.
Qualitative Method (SP9100)
Qualitative Method (SP9100)
Data production, applied theory, and analysis strategies. How do we make it all fit together well? This course will provide a solid orientation on some traditions and approaches that are referred to as qualitative research and their epistemological basis.
Qualitative Method (SP9100)
When: June 3-5 2024, and on day in the autumn
Where: OsloMet, Norway
Registration deadline: May 1
Language: Norwegian
Registration and full description: https://www.oslomet.no/studier/sam/phd-sam/kvalitativ-metode-sosialfag-phd
ECTS: 10
Course leaders: Marit Haldar and Wenche Bekken
Travel and accommodation
DIGIT members can apply for funding for travel and accommodation to attend the course. You can send in your application here: https://nettskjema.no/a/322611.
Ranking of applicants
Qualitative Method (SP9100) is part of the OsloMet course catalogue.
In the event of receiving more applications than available spots preference will be given firstly to candidates enrolled in the doctoral program in social sciences at OsloMet, followed by candidates affiliated with the DIGIT Research School, candidates from other programs at OsloMet and finally Ph.D. candidates from institutions outside of OsloMet.
About the course
Read the full course description here: https://www.oslomet.no/studier/sam/phd-sam/kvalitativ-metode-sosialfag-phd
CEDIC Talks webinar: «Digitalisation and perceived job insecurity: A machine learning study in Norway»
Join the online guest lecture
Conference: eKommune 2024 - Human and Technology
Conference: eKommune 2024 - Human and Technology
How will technology, as part of the solution to major societal challenges, impact people and the interaction between us? This is one of the topics at the eKommune conference on April 18-19.
Would you like to attend the conference? KS, partner in DIGIT research school, is sponsoring two spots at this year's conference!
Date: April 18-19, 2024
Location: Clarion Hotel The Hub in Oslo
Apply for a place: https://nettskjema.no/a/404886
Deadline for application: Feb 26
Language: Norwegian
The offer is open for DIGIT members only
About eKommune 2024
eKommune is the most important meeting place for anyone interested in digitization, transformation, and innovation in the municipal sector. More and more public and private services are being digitized, and artificial intelligence as part of technological development is increasingly affecting us in new ways. How does this affect task execution – and citizens, employees, and leaders in the public sector?
In 2024, the conference will be held on April 18-19 at the Clarion Hotel The Hub in Oslo city center. Participation is also possible online.
Read more about the conference and this year's program here: https://www.ks.no/fagomrader/digitalisering/styring-og-organisering/ekommune-2024-menneske-og-teknologi/
The text above is taken from the KS website.
About KS
The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) is the organisation for all local governments in Norway. KS is Norway’s largest public employer organisation.
Financial Support
The conference fee is covered for two DIGIT members by KS. For DIGIT participants residing outside Oslo, DIGIT will cover travel expenses. You are responsible for booking your own flight/train tickets in accordance with your university's guidelines and the Personnel Handbook for State Employees. We cover up to 2000 NOK for travel.
Please feel free to contact the DIGIT coordinator if you have any practical questions.
Final Seminar for Class of 2022-2024
DIGIT invites the DIGIT class of 2022 to a final seminar at the historic Granavolden Hotel & Guesthouse. The seminar is organized by the DIGIT members themselves and marks the conclusion of DIGIT's inaugural class!
Final Seminar
When: April 8-9, 2024
Where: Granavolden Hotel and Guesthouse
Registration: https://nettskjema.no/a/393935 (Deadline: February 9)
About the seminar
The program will comprise a two-day event with presentations from speakers inside and outside academia, group discussions, social activities and delicious food from the area. Day 1 will involve sessions on surviving in academia and transitioning to non-academic roles, as well as a discussion and a walk and talk before the dinner. Day 2 will involve breakfast, short presentations, group discussions focusing on the future use of DIGIT, and a concluding discussion and feedback session before lunch.
We start at lunch day 1 and will depart for Oslo after lunch day 2.
DIGIT covers travel and accomodation costs for our members.
About Granavolden
Granavolden Hotel & Guesthouse is beautifully situated on a hill in the distinctive landscape of Hadeland, only about an hour’s drive from Oslo or a 50 minute drive from Oslo Airport, Gardemoen.
The hotel is located on historic ground, and there has been a guest house at Granavolden since 1657.
Organisers
Martine Stecher Nielsen
DIGIT member and PhD research fellow at NTNU
Nielsen has an educational background in public and global health and moved to Norway from Denmark in 2018. Equality in health and health care drives her professional interest and she focuses on how digitalization can be used to support and empower patients. Her doctoral thesis assess’ how patient portals can be used for adolescents in mental health care.
Alejandro Miranda-Nieto
DIGIT member and former postdoc fellow at OsloMet
Miranda-Nieto is a sociologist with interests spanning home, migration, mobilities and social practice. His research uses ethnography and other qualitative and quantitative methods to study social change. He is currently researching how migrant professionals working in IT industries develop a sense of home in the city of Oslo.
Miranda-Nieto has recently transitioned from a postdoc position to Head of academic unit Service organization and innovation in social work and child welfare at OsloMet.
CEDIC Talks webinar: Media Poverty: Media Use and Citizenship in Conditions of Deprivation
Join the online guest lecture
3-day academic writing retreat with DIGIT
3-day academic writing retreat with DIGIT
Welcome to the writing retreat hosted by NORD university in Saltstraumen, Bodø! The retreat is designed to give you a break away from daily commitments to provide protected time for individual writing. We will be staying in a small hotel close to the tidal current, with excellent food and spectacular views of the Børvasstindan mountains.
Are you interested in joining the retreat? We only have 12 spots, please register your interest below!
Writing Retreat
at Saltstraumen Hotel
When: 13-15 February 2024
Registration deadline: 9 January 2024
Registration: https://nettskjema.no/a/388294 (Your place is not reserved until you hear back from us)
Prerequisites: A paper draft (2000-4000 words) must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language by 1 February at the latest. Please upload your draft paper draft here: https://nettskjema.no/a/388297
The writing retreat is available to DIGIT members from the classes of 2022 and 2023. In the event of receiving more applications than available spots, our priority will be determined primarily by motivation and the perceived need for participation in the writing retreat.
DIGIT will cover economy travel and full board at the hotel.
Content
The workshop is designed to give you a break away from daily commitments to provide protected writing time for individual writing. Besides time for active writing of individual draft papers there will be time for peer-to-peer feedback sessions, walk-and-talk, as well as receiving feedback and guidance from the course leaders.
You will be allocated writing partners in groups of three. You present your individual work to your fellow colleagues and to the course leaders, and additionally act as discussant of the work of the two other group members.
The aim is to create an inclusive and safe social group dynamic, where we discuss each other’s work and inspire each other with engaged, constructive and respectful feedback. As the participants in the workshop will follow an all-day program, we require participants to join the complete program and put aside other commitments during the stay to protect the concentration and the time dedicated to our writing.
The workshop will be led by Anne-Jorunn Berg and Robert Bye. Read more about their background below.
Scroll down to view the preliminary program.
About Bodø and Saltstraumen
Bodø is located just north of the Polar Circle in a Pite and Lule Sami area. The city is elected the 2024 cultural capital of Europe.
Saltstraumen is an impressive sight (see more at visitbodo.com or Wikipedia). We will be staying in the small Saltstraumen hotel close to the tidal current, with excellent food and spectacular views of the Børvasstindan mountains.
Preliminary program
Tuesday 13. February
10:30 Collective departure from Bodø airport
11.30 – 12.30 Lunch
12:30 – 12:45 Brief presentation and information
12:45 - 13:00 How to give constructive feedback
13:00 – 15.00 Group work with paper presentation, discussion and feedback
15.00 – 15.30 Snack break
15.30 – 19.30 Writing-session
19.30 Dinner
Wednesday 14. February
08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 – 12:00 Writing-session
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 14:30 Walk and talk with writing partners – strongest maelstrom at 14:00
14:30 – 16:00 Writing-session
16:00 – 16:30 Snack break
16:30 – 19.00 Writing session
19.00 - Dinner
Thursday 15. February
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast
09.00 – 12.00 Writing-session
12:00 – 13.00 Lunch
13:00 – 15:00 Group work discussion, feedback and evaluation
15:00 - 15:30 Collective feedback and evaluation
15:30 Collective departure to the airport
Course leader
Anne-Jorunn Berg is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University. Her areas of expertise include Gender Studies, Science Technology Studies (STS), Feminist Theory, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Research Methods, and Postcolonial Theory. Berg's research focuses on areas such as methodology, ICTs, materialities, and gender. Her work is particularly concerned with knowledge production - especially scientific knowledge. She is interested in knowledge as a collective transdisciplinary project, the usefulness of thinking knowledge in the plural as knowledges, the strength of partial perspectives, material heterogeneity and the importance of situating our knowledge. Her research is inspired by the works of biologist and feminist science theorist Donna Haraway, with a particular focus on using Haraway’s concepts of "material semiotics" and "companion species” as tools for exploring lived life (human as well as non-human). Berg sits as the chairperson of the DIGIT board.
Course leader
Robert Bye is an Associate Professor at Nord University at the Faculty of Social Sciences. He served as Vice Dean for Education from 2020 to 2021. Bye obtained his Ph.D. in science and technology studies from NTNU in 2008. His research has focused on use, user involvement and domestication of buildings and in building processes. Currently, his research interests are also focused on different aspects of knowledge and knowledge production and the role of large language models, as well as understandings of digitalization and technology in knowledge-intensive work. These topics are also reflected in his teaching in two master programmes at Nord university, Master of knowledge management and master’s in Social Analysis.
Please feel free to contact the DIGIT coordinator should you have any questions.
CEDIC Talks webinar: Digital consultations in general practice in Denmark
Join the online guest lecture
From our partners: Book launch in Oslo - Making Information Matter
Join the online guest lecture
Past Events
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
Meet the Participants
The first class of young experts was enrolled in the autumn of 2022. The first semesters start with a joint kick-off seminar, concentrating on key perspectives within DIGIT’s thematic clusters. Both researchers and stakeholders from outside the research sector will be invited to present the latest developments, and every participant will meet in roundtable discussions and present their ongoing research projects.
PhD-level course on «Qualitative digital methods for social scientists» at the University of Bergen
MET900 is a PhD-level course offered by the University of Bergen (UiB).
The course addresses how qualitative digital methods can inform research in the social sciences, including media and communications, anthropology, human geography, sociology, and political science. It will provide hands-on experience of using Qualitative digital methods, guidance on designing research using these methods, and an introduction to the interdisciplinary literature on the digital transformation of society. The course will also include a guidance and reflection on ethics in digital methodologies and strategies for preparing an application for the Norwegian Centre for Research Data for ethical approval of digital data.