Society & culture - ScienceNordic

Older workers feel less tired than their younger colleagues

Many Norwegian managers believe their older employees are tired. But they are wrong. Older employees feel much more energetic than their younger colleagues, according to new research.

Is private finance a panacea for sustainable development?

The EU has pushed for a strong role of the private sector to finance the sustainable development goals. However, an increased role of the private sector might be at odds with the EUs fundamental rights commitments, argues Sunniva Hustad.

Like most people, Norwegian bureaucrats rarely read research

When Norwegian civil servants want research-based knowledge, they use Google or ask a colleague.

We must move beyond 'green capitalism'

Big corporations are branding themselves as sustainable. But the capitalist logic of expansion and consumption that make them thrive is the real climate issue, CBS professor claims in a new book.

Disinformation goes South

In the Global South, social media monopolies and a surge in digital media users allow information operations to reach millions and affect political elections and developments. The consequences can be fatal, as seen in Myanmar.

Professors interviewed by Norwegian print media are usually men

Especially if the person who interviews them is a male journalist.

Environment vs Convenience; who wins in the supermarket?

OPINION: Recent research shows that focussing on the environment and convenience wins consumers. But who wins when we actually shop?

The naïveté of Academia: How Plan S could let pseudoscientific and predatory publishers take advantage of researchers

OPINION: Plan S is naïve in its approach to open publishing, making scientific articles available for re-use by whoever may wish to do so. Scientists need to retain the right to decide where their works are published.

Travelling by bus, taxi and boat has become more expensive, while flying has become relatively cheaper

Planes are the passenger transport type that have had the lowest price increase in the last ten years, according to figures from Statistics Norway.

Managers believe they motivate employees more than they actually do

Most Norwegian business leaders believe they are good at motivating and engaging their employees. But fewer than half of their employees agree. Older workers are least satisfied with their bosses.

These are the stories you read the most in 2019

Cats, vikings and cancer are among the topics that captured your attention in the year gone by.

Folk musician Annbjørg Lien's PhD on Hardanger fiddle folk tunes includes a new solo album

One of Norway’s most well-known folk musicians has done a PhD. But there was a limit to how much she could put into words in her dissertation. One of the chapters is consequently being delivered as a new solo album this spring.

Why do metal detector enthusiasts find so many cheap coins, and so few valuable ones?

If the finds by metal detector hobbyists are truly representative, then Norwegian history may need to be re-written.

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Why is the full story of the Viking Age and High Middle Ages emerging only now?

Written in the 1380s in Iceland, the Flateyarbók chronicling Norwegian history never made it to Norway. Some 600 years later a Norwegian king has finally received the book, in Norwegian. An English translation is also on the way.

Christmas gift trends: Less jewellery, and ethical gifts not gaining ground

Despite society’s increasing focus on the environment, the tradition of giving each other gifts for Christmas remains deeply embedded in our culture. It’s still rare to give ethical Christmas presents. Granted, jewellery is less likely to glitter under the Christmas tree, while food and drink have become more popular as gifts.

Gamblers played and lost less after gaming company contacted them

Direct contact with those who gamble a lot can have a big impact on how much they lose, a new study shows.

25 years with The European Economic Area: Politicians, government agencies and Norwegians in general lack knowledge about the country’s agreement with the EU

The 25-year-old European Economic Area (EEA) agreement has been a success for Norway, according to the head of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). But its successes are almost unknown in Norway.

Researchers are worried: Documents missing in one fifth of the cases handled by the Norwegian Child Welfare Services

Researchers have gained unique insights into how Norway’s Child Welfare Services work and how they justify what they do. In one fifth of the cases studied, the researchers found no documents summarizing how the Child Welfare Services had handled the case.

Norwegians have substantial pension capital — so why should the retirement age be increased?

Norwegians currently have about NOK 3 million per person on average in pension capital — but increasing life expectancies have some experts advocating a gradual increase in retirement age.

Does research support the claim that youth have become less active?

A recent report from WHO sparked new debate on the level of physical activity among children and youth. But what do the data actually say? Is there hold in the claim that young people are less active than previous generations?

The forgotten extermination of Norwegians in the Soviet Union

A researcher travelled to the Kola Peninsula in Russia and collected accounts of the Norwegians who lived there. At least 27 of them were executed or died in prison camps in the 1930s and 1940s. Others died of starvation.

Researchers find evidence of anxiety and alcohol use in wastewater

Norwegian and Australian scientists can now learn more about people's health from what they find in our untreated wastewater.

Reading to your child? Digital books are as important as print books

OPINION: Instead of propagating a false dichotomy between print and digital books we need to start asking which books work best for which children and families.

Looking for gender differences in Norwegian prisons is a distraction

Women sentenced to prison in Norway do not experience systematic discrimination. This does not imply that their – nor men’s – needs should not be taken care of.

The world is a scarier place for Norway

In a future where China and Russia are ever more offensive, Norway's position is weaker. Today's liberal world order is now also threatened from within — from the United States.

Here's what happened when I served my friends chocolate with seaweed

An impromptu session of new product testing with a group of friends in northern Norway ensued after I returned from a seaweed trade fair with new product samples of chocolate infused with seaweed or chocolate seaweed.

Slightly more poor people in Norway

Norway’s proportion of low-income families and households is growing year by year.

Family values in Europe: Georgia is on one extreme. Norway is on the other.

Almost everyone in Georgia believes that adult children should be responsible for parents who need help. In Norway, more and more people respond negatively to this idea.

She’s given birth to six calves before — but now she finally gets to be a mother

Most dairy cows aren’t allowed to mother their calves. Julie Føske Johnsen from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute is leading a new research project where cows get to visit their calves.

Both women and men are vulnerable in prison

OPINION: Ragnar Kristoffersen claims that women are treated favourably in Norwegian prisons. JURK – Legal Aid for Women’s report on incarcerated women’s conditions reveals a different reality than Kristoffersen’s numbers.

Crushing the myth of “poor Norway”

The conventional wisdom about Norway in 1900 is wrong: Norway was among the richest countries in Europe, not the poorest, one professor explains.

Women sentenced to prison in Norway are treated favourably

OPINION: Contrary to popular belief, women sentenced to prison in Norway receive more beneficial measures than men aimed at reintegration into society. The general claim that women sentenced to prison in Norway are discriminated against, is a myth.

What’s the best way to recycle clothes?

Wash your clothes less. Take care of your grandmother’s coats. Don't feel too smug when giving away clothes. There are lots of recycling tips. So should you buy a used Christmas outfit or not?

As Norwegian Jews were being deported, the Quisling government discussed working hours during the Christmas holidays

On the darkest day in Norwegian history, the government discussed very trival matters, new research shows.

Norwegians are the world’s home renovation champs

Every year, Norwegians spend several billions of dollars on renovating their homes and cottages. But what do they spend their money on – and what makes them the world’s top home renovators?

The mystery from pre-Viking days: Only the most powerful had these little pieces of gold

Was it a gold ticket to important meetings? Or proof that you were related to the Gods? A new gold foil figure was recently found in Vestfold.

Should children be allowed to choose teams in gym class?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Or should the teacher do it? We ask the experts.

Gender issues are ridiculed and sabotaged in the military

The masculine culture in the Norwegian Armed Forces is a democratic problem. This makes it difficult to work with issues related to gender, according to researcher.

Academics hide, play dumb, don't care or over-perform. Everything to oppose the system and administration.

“You can get away with a lot if you just pretend you haven't heard about the rules,” one professor said.

Norway builds top athletes through not focusing on winning

Athletes and trainers who are most concerned with their overall development rather than results are the ones who often do the best, research suggests.

Celebrity lifestyle increases global warming: New study flight-shames Bill Gates and Paris Hilton

While Greta Thunberg and the kids are out marching for climate change to be taken seriously, celebrities like Bill Gates and Paris Hilton continue flying like the world has no limits.

Students receiving follow-up support in upper secondary school less likely to quit

Absenteeism in lower secondary school increases students’ risk of dropping out from upper secondary. A social contract and close monitoring of 16-year-old at-risk pupils is showing promising results in a study in Northern Norway.

Vikings wiped out Iceland’s walruses

Walrus tusks were a luxury good, and the ungainly marine mammals probably didn't put up much of a fight when the Vikings came to the island country.

Government finally grants money for new Viking ship museum in Oslo

The unique collection of Norwegian viking ships is housed in dire conditions. Next years National Budget has granted money to start the process for a new museum to be built.

Why are we more concerned about someone seeing us fall on our face than whether it hurt?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Avoiding social pain is often more important than avoiding physical pain, according to psychology researcher.

Religious minority youth between patriarchy and gender equality

Gender roles is a delicate topic for religious minority groups. Many of them accept traditional gender segregation in the religious community, but struggle with prejudices from the greater society, according to researcher.

Does Norway need a new legal definition of rape?

In Norway and Europe, activists are fighting to change rape laws so that rape is defined as sex without consent. Researchers say this won’t help much to change or solve the problem.

We don't need special measures to keep older people working longer, says researcher

Lifelong learning is important for employment. But we’re totally missing the mark if we think of it as a senior initiative, says economist Simen Markussen.

Our image of ISIS women is incomplete

The ideological conviction was often deeper among the women who joined the ISIS than among the men who did the same, according to researchers.

Crazed Viking warriors may have been high on henbane

The Viking warriors who went berserk may have been intoxicated with the plant stinking henbane, one scientist says. Norwegian experts have their doubts.

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Discrimination: Thirty-five per cent of Muslim immigrants say they did not get a job they were qualified for

Non-religious immigrants experience discrimination in Norway to the same extent as their more religious counterparts. Muslims seeking work are the exception.

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Here’s what we know about people who stayed home on Election Day

Many young men with lower levels of education stay home when their countrymen go to polling stations. About half of people who stay home say they simply aren’t interested in politics. This has not always been true.

New Norwegian population registry simplifies genealogical research

Parish registries, obituaries and prison records are some of the sources for a new historical population registry. The general population can access their ancestors, but only researchers have access to sensitive health information.

Researchers under pressure: “We can't conduct secret research.”

There are contracts, and then there are ethical guidelines for research. But money easily leads to pressure, even in the Ivory Tower of research.

Norwegian universities tackle their carbon footprints from travel

You would think that universities would be leading the charge to cut back on carbon-intensive air travel. But some members of the Norwegian business community are far ahead of academics in dropping flights.

Law and justice: Swearing an oath in the Middle Ages was powerful evidence

In the 13th century, rumour meant a lot. If the village gossiped that you had been unfaithful, you could be put on trial. You then had to find people who would swear you were innocent.

Older Norwegians have almost doubled income in 20 years

Women and people with the lowest incomes have experienced strong income growth in Norway over the last 20 years. But wealthier older people have had the strongest increase during that period.

No more online voting in Norway

Norwegian voters tested an online voting system for both local elections in 2011 and parliamentary elections in 2013, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. This year, however, Norwegians didn't have the option to vote on the internet.

Norwegian researcher brings unique insights into healthcare and schools in the Islamic State

Over time we’ve learned a lot about the atrocities of ISIL members. Now a Norwegian researcher has also learned more about how the civilian population adapted to the terrorist regime's laws and regulations.

Partner articles on ScienceNorway

The partner articles on ScienceNorway.no give insight into new and interesting research in Norway. These articles are written by communication staff at one of our 77 owners. We label this content to distinguish institutional outreach from independent editorial content.

Creating languages of the past for HBO’s "Beforeigners"

Researchers who created language for the new HBO hit Beforeigners couldn’t just translate Norwegian into Old Norse, 19th-century Norwegian or a Stone Age language. For one thing, how would you curse in Old Norse if you knew nothing of Christianity?

How drug dealers describe their own lives

They boast of their own crimes and make fun of the police, often with a smile on their face, Norwegian researchers report.

What happens to Norwegian children of immigrants as adults?

Their performance is a bit weaker than that of other children in elementary school, and somewhat fewer students complete upper secondary school. Compared to their parents, the difference is considerable. Many Norwegian-born persons with immigrant backgrounds are also doing far better financially than their parents. Some earn more than other Norwegians.

Viking men were buried with cooking gear

What were gender roles like during Viking times? A Norwegian archaeologist thinks we often misinterpret the past based on our current cultural assumptions.

Therapy can help men stop domestic violence

It is not given that violent men who get therapy will stop their behaviour. A decisive factor for success is that the therapist and the client have a common understanding of the problem, according to researcher Bente Lømo.

Why boys get poor grades

A Norwegian school researcher may have found an explanation.

Bring the boys into the kitchen!

Boys are less involved in the preparation of food than girls are, according to a survey Nofima carried out among preschool children. If boys are encouraged to cook or prepare food more often, it can help improve equality and public health in a dietary perspective in the future.

Older workers feel less tired than their younger colleagues

Is private finance a panacea for sustainable development?

Like most people, Norwegian bureaucrats rarely read research

We must move beyond 'green capitalism'

Disinformation goes South

Professors interviewed by Norwegian print media are usually men

Environment vs Convenience; who wins in the supermarket?

The naïveté of Academia: How Plan S could let pseudoscientific and predatory publishers take advantage of researchers

Travelling by bus, taxi and boat has become more expensive, while flying has become relatively cheaper

Managers believe they motivate employees more than they actually do

These are the stories you read the most in 2019

Folk musician Annbjørg Lien's PhD on Hardanger fiddle folk tunes includes a new solo album

Why do metal detector enthusiasts find so many cheap coins, and so few valuable ones?

Subscribe to news from ScienceNordic

Privacy Policy

Why is the full story of the Viking Age and High Middle Ages emerging only now?

Christmas gift trends: Less jewellery, and ethical gifts not gaining ground

Gamblers played and lost less after gaming company contacted them

25 years with The European Economic Area: Politicians, government agencies and Norwegians in general lack knowledge about the country’s agreement with the EU

Researchers are worried: Documents missing in one fifth of the cases handled by the Norwegian Child Welfare Services

Norwegians have substantial pension capital — so why should the retirement age be increased?

Does research support the claim that youth have become less active?

The forgotten extermination of Norwegians in the Soviet Union

Researchers find evidence of anxiety and alcohol use in wastewater

Reading to your child? Digital books are as important as print books

Looking for gender differences in Norwegian prisons is a distraction

The world is a scarier place for Norway

Here's what happened when I served my friends chocolate with seaweed

Slightly more poor people in Norway

Family values in Europe: Georgia is on one extreme. Norway is on the other.

She’s given birth to six calves before — but now she finally gets to be a mother

Both women and men are vulnerable in prison

Crushing the myth of “poor Norway”

Women sentenced to prison in Norway are treated favourably

What’s the best way to recycle clothes?

As Norwegian Jews were being deported, the Quisling government discussed working hours during the Christmas holidays

Norwegians are the world’s home renovation champs

The mystery from pre-Viking days: Only the most powerful had these little pieces of gold

Should children be allowed to choose teams in gym class?

Gender issues are ridiculed and sabotaged in the military

Academics hide, play dumb, don't care or over-perform. Everything to oppose the system and administration.

Norway builds top athletes through not focusing on winning

Celebrity lifestyle increases global warming: New study flight-shames Bill Gates and Paris Hilton

Students receiving follow-up support in upper secondary school less likely to quit

Vikings wiped out Iceland’s walruses

Government finally grants money for new Viking ship museum in Oslo

Why are we more concerned about someone seeing us fall on our face than whether it hurt?

Religious minority youth between patriarchy and gender equality

Does Norway need a new legal definition of rape?

We don't need special measures to keep older people working longer, says researcher

Our image of ISIS women is incomplete

Crazed Viking warriors may have been high on henbane

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Discrimination: Thirty-five per cent of Muslim immigrants say they did not get a job they were qualified for

Privacy Policy

Here’s what we know about people who stayed home on Election Day

New Norwegian population registry simplifies genealogical research

Researchers under pressure: “We can't conduct secret research.”

Norwegian universities tackle their carbon footprints from travel

Law and justice: Swearing an oath in the Middle Ages was powerful evidence

Older Norwegians have almost doubled income in 20 years

No more online voting in Norway

Norwegian researcher brings unique insights into healthcare and schools in the Islamic State

Partner articles on ScienceNorway

Creating languages of the past for HBO’s "Beforeigners"

How drug dealers describe their own lives

What happens to Norwegian children of immigrants as adults?

Viking men were buried with cooking gear

Therapy can help men stop domestic violence

Why boys get poor grades

Bring the boys into the kitchen!

Therapy can help men stop domestic violence

Children speak out about having two places to call home

Norwegian elite support immigration

Strong increase in Norwegian pay gap

Sea cucumber are a prized Asian delicacy. Norway wants to farm them for export.

First Stone Age farmers in Norway "gave up" after short period of time