Young Ambassadors Seminar 9: Research and Science at SINTEF

February 5, 2013

The Young Ambassadors got to dress up as real scientists and visit the lab at SINTEF.

Microscopes are necessary to do nanotechnological research at SINTEF.

By Young Ambassador Øystein Lindholm

The ninth Young Ambassadors seminar took place at SINTEF, the largest independent research organization in Scandinavia, with focus on the role of research in our society.

First off, Unni Steinsmo, the CEO of SINTEF, gave an interesting presentation about SINTEF and its current projects. She told us about how the organization is leading within several new technologies. This is made possible by having 2100 highly qualified employees and with a budget of over 3 billion NOK.  

Second, Research Director at the Nobel Institute, Asle Toje, spoke about his research on international politics. It is been said that foreign policy is about whether we live, while national politics is about how we live. He started up by talking about the global power shift from west to east and concluded with three different predictions for the future.

Third, Senior Researcher at SINTEF, Ingelin Clausen, addressed some of the current projects at SINTEF and how scientists work. It was an incredibly interesting lecture with an emphasis on what she referred to as “the silicon era”. She currently works on making small sensors to put in drains to patients with Hydrocephalus.

After getting a theoretical lecture on the broad field of research, we got to see it in action. Divided in three groups, we learned more about micro sensors, watched short video clips from blood test projects they work on and visited the lab. To enter the lab, everyone had to cover their hair, put plastic bags on their shoes and wear white coats. With all this protection, we were only allowed to see the visitor room, which was separated from the real lap by a glass wall. This was because any piece of dust could destroy the extremely valuable silicon projects they are working on.

Last speaker of the day, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Air Ambulance and a Young Ambassadors menor, Erik Normann, spoke about leadership within the health sector and the importance of research for developing better health services. It sounded like an extremely giving, but also difficult job because as the leader, you have to take life and death decisions for other people every day.

Visiting SINTEF was a very interesting experience. The Young Ambassadors would like to thank SINTEF for having us and the voluntary speakers for sharing their knowledge.