Akademikere i aksjon?! Academics in action?!

Welcome to Akademikere i aksjon?! Academics in Action?!

Can sustainability research really challenge the systems driving the climate crisis, or does academia risk reinforcing them?

In this 10th episode episode of Akademikere i aksjon?! Academics in Action?!, we talk with Théo Martin, researcher in political ecology and activist with Scientist Rebellion Norway, about the politics of knowledge production, the influence of research funding, and the contradictions of sustainability research within academia. We explore how climate activism can broaden our understanding of what it means to be a researcher and open up new ways of putting science into action. And for academics who want to get involved: where to start, and why is building community so important?

These and other questions are covered in the podcast episode, which is hosted by Ina Nagler, PhD researcher at the University of Bergen.

The episode was recorded in English on October 23, 2026.

Velkommen til «Akademikere i aksjon?!»

I denne 9. episoden bringer vi et intervju med Thea Gregersen fra Bergen. Thea holder doktorgrad i (klima)psykologi og jobber som forsker II ved Norce. Hvilke følelser vekker klimaendringene i oss – og hva skal til for at bekymring, maktesløshet eller sinne fører til handling? Hvordan oppfatter nordmenn ulike former for klimaaktivisme, og hvorfor møter noen protestformer mer støtte enn andre?

Disse og andre spørsmål blir tatt opp i podkastepisoden, som ledes av Marion Grau, professor ved MF vitenskapelig høyskole i Oslo. Episoden ble spilt inn på norsk 1. september 2026.

Welcome to Akademikere i aksjon?! Academics in Action?!

This 8th episode features an interview with Omer Babiker from Trondheim. Omer has recently finished a PhD in fluid mechanics at NTNU and is active in Scientist Rebellion. What role does his research play in his activism? How are these activities connected? What can and should universities do to work towards climate justice?

These and other questions are covered in the podcast episode, which is hosted by Robert Kordts, professor at the University of Bergen.

The episode was recorded in English on August 28, 2026.

Episode 7 features Anne Klenge, doctoral student in communication studies at Kristiania in Oslo. Her research focuses on strategic communication and framing strategies employed by the Norwegian climate movement to contest the "Norwegian climate paradox." Positioned at the intersection of social movement research and strategic communication, her doctoral project explores how activist groups, grassroots organizations or environmental NGOs construct counter-narratives to challenge the legitimacy of continued fossil fuel production in a resource-rich democracy. 

In this podcast interview, Klenge discusses overlaps between academic work and activism, with a particular emphasis on the value of community building in political communication. As an organiser in Folk mot Fossilmakta, Anne has been involved in various forms of activism, some of which has resulted in having to wear a ankle brace during a home prison sentence for 50 days. Most recently, she organized a walk from Eidsvoll to Stortinget to mark the need to democratize the Norwegian Oil Fund and to build community around this demand.  

Marion Grau spoke with Anne Klenge on June 25, 2026 (podcast language is English).

Velkommen til Akademikere i aksjon?!

Den sjette episoden inneholder intervjuet med Thomas Ray Haaland, forsker i evolusjonsbiologi ved NTNU, Trondheim. Samtidig er han aktiv i Scientist Rebellion (Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky).

Hva skjer når en klimaforsker innser at det ikke lenger holder å «bare forske» – og velger å bli aktivist i tillegg? Hvorfor vekker klimaaktivisme i akademia både begeistring, motstand og kontrovers – og hvordan reagerer egentlig studenter, kollegaer og universiteter? Og har forskere et moralsk ansvar for å gå lenger enn forskning og formidling i møte med klima- og naturkrisen – selv om det betyr å utfordre makt, normer og egen institusjon?

Disse og andre spørsmål blir dekket i podkastepisoden, som ledes av Robert Kordts, professor ved Universitetet i Bergen. Episoden er laget på norsk 25. mai 2026.

Welcome to Akademikere i aksjon?! Academics in Action?!

The fifth episode features an interview with Riina Bhatia, post-growth researcher and deputy city council member in Helsinki, Finland.

What happens when a degrowth researcher steps into real-world politics What if the biggest climate solution is letting go of economic growth? From city council debates to policy proposals, how do bold academic ideas survive (or clash with) the realities of governance? Are academics doing enough—or should more of them step into activism and politics?

These and other questions are covered in the podcast episode, which is hosted by Théophile Martin, PhD candidate at NTNU Trondheim. It was recorded in English on March 6, 2026, at the meeting of "Degrowth and Exnovation" study circle of the Nordic Summer University. The circle explores the concept of fossil exnovation, i.e. how to safely and quickly undo all the structures that fossil capital has created to make our lives dependent on it.

Welcome to Akademikere i aksjon?! Academics in Action?!

Our fourth episode features an interview with Dr. Fernando Racimo - associate professor in ecology and evolution at the University of Copenhagen, and author of the new book Science in Resistance: The Scientist Rebellion for Climate Justice. The book explores the rising wave of scientist-activism, and the challenges scientists face when stepping out of the ivory tower. What makes scientists join social movements? How does activism feed back into their research and teaching? And how could we transform academic institutions to support the deep social and ecological transformation that is urgently needed?

These and other questions are covered in the podcast episode, which is hosted by Théophile Martin, PhD candidate at NTNU Trondheim. It was recorded in English on March 6, 2026, at the meeting of "Degrowth and Exnovation" study circle of the Nordic Summer University, which Fernando co-coordinates. The circle explores the concept of fossil exnovation, i.e. how to safely and quickly undo all the structures that fossil capital has created to make our lives dependent on it. We also asked Fernando about this fascinating concept, and the insights learned from the circle.

Welcome to Akademikere i aksjon?! Academics in Action?!

This third episode features an interview with Robert Kordts from Bergen. Robert is a professor of university pedagogy at the University of Bergen and is active in Scientist Rebellion. What role does his research play in his activism? How are these activities connected?

These and other questions are covered in the podcast episode, which is hosted by Théophile Martin, PhD candidate at NTNU Trondheim.

The episode was recorded in English on January 28, 2026.

Velkommen til Akademikere i askjon?!

Denne andre episoden inneholder intervjuet med Marion Grau fra Oslo. Marion er professor i teologi ved MF Vitenskapelig Høyskole. Samtidig er Marion aktiv i Extinction Rebellion, hvor hun fremmer tiltak for klimarettferdighet. Hvilken rolle spiller forskningen hennes for aktivismen? Hvordan henger disse aktivitetene sammen? Disse og andre spørsmål blir dekket i podkastepisoden, som ledes av Robert Kordts, professor ved Universitetet i Bergen. Episoden er laget på norsk 11. desember 2025.

Velkommen til Akademikere i askjon?! Denne første episoden starter vår nye podkast med et spennende intervju med Ina Nagler fra Bergen. Ina er doktorgradsstudent ved Bjerknes Center for Climate Research og ved Institutt for geovitenskap ved Universitetet i Bergen, hvor hun forsker på den atlantiske meridionale sirkulasjonen (AMOC), bedre kjent som Golfstrømmen. Samtidig er Ina aktiv i flere klimakampanjer, hvor hun fremmer tiltak for klimarettferdighet. Hvilken rolle spiller forskningen hennes for aktivismen? Hvordan henger disse aktivitetene sammen? Disse og andre spørsmål blir dekket i podkastepisoden, som ledes av Marion Grau, professor ved MF Vitenskapelig høyskole i Oslo. Episoden er laget på engelsk 30. oktober 2025.