Research policy

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) aims to be a university focused on profession and working life relevance and with a clear research profile. Our research generates new knowledge, addresses societal challenges, and strengthens professional practice. HVL promotes curiosity, originality, and academic freedom. We shall conduct critical and independent research of high international quality that addresses complex issues, advances sustainable development, and transforms research into societal value.

We provide research-based education that gives our students insight into research processes and an understanding of the importance of evidence-based knowledge.

HVL will:

• Strengthen the knowledge base for, and the practice of, research-based and research- integrated teaching. 
• Involve students in research as part of our teaching, education, and practice-based learning.
• Use practice placements as means for mutual knowledge exchange and co-creation supporting research and professional development.
• Ensure that our doctoral programmes maintain high academic quality and are relevant for working life.

We conduct high quality research grounded in academic values, where critical reflection, integrity, and openness are essential. HVL safeguards long-term research perspectives and builds a strong research culture. We are innovative, sustainability-oriented, closely connected to societal and labour market needs, and we develop strong research environments with regional, national, and international impact.

HVL will:

• Conduct responsible research grounded in recognised norms of research ethics.
• Identify and concentrate resources towards excellent research environments and thematic priority areas.
• Promote radical interdisciplinary research collaboration with strong potential to address complex knowledge challenges. 
• Develop targeted plans and clear priorities to host a nationally leading centre, such as a Centre of Excellence/ Centre for Research-based Innovation.
• Increase participation in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and develop long-term plans for being awarded funding from the European Research Council (ERC).
• Be active contributors in international research networks.
• Strengthen industry-oriented research and research collaboration with the public, private, and civil society sectors. 
• Establish targeted incentives, aligned with strategic priorities, to strengthen our research and enhance HVL’s attractiveness as a workplace.
• Safeguard research security by balancing openness and precaution, and by engaging in responsible international knowledge collaboration. 
• Work for the establishment of new research infrastructures of national relevance and further develop our existing infrastructures in dialogue with academic communities.
• Maintain robust systems for information security and data protection.   
• Integrate and highlight sustainability perspectives in our research.
• Further develop art-based forms of research (KFF).

HVL has a responsibility to ensure that knowledge and results from our research can be applied in practice. Our research is carried out in close collaboration with society and supports innovation and development processes that promote societal, environmental, and economic sustainability.

HVL will: 

• Increase success in externally funded innovation programmes and other relevant calls, particularly through the Research Council of Norway and the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
• Promote research-based innovation and further strengthen close cooperation with public and private working life.
• Stimulate increased innovation and competitiveness in the region by integrating research-based innovation environments with regional and international partners.
• Strengthen commercialisation of research-based innovation in cooperation with VIS (Vestlandets Innovasjonsselskap). 
• Increase the number of industrial and public sector PhD candidates through closer collaboration with relevant regional actors.

We strengthen our research capacity and develop sustainable, long-term research initiatives, while fostering a diverse and inclusive research culture.

HVL will: 

• Strengthen research leadership and ensure sound research management at all levels and across faculties.
• Build a research culture where openness, responsible research practices, integrity, and ethics are fundamental pillars. 
• Support active and strong research groups with clear strategic research objectives.
• Integrate PhD candidates into academic environments and make their research more visible internally and externally.
• Develop and establish measures for career development and recruitment to strengthen research and strategic priorities, including training for broader research skills and competence development.
• Align and strengthen administrative support in line with strategic leadership and research priorities.
• Strengthen competence in the development and responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
• Participate in evaluation schemes, such as subject and theme-based evaluations organised by the Research Council of Norway, to improve and further develop our research.

Our research plays a central part in regional development and contributes to value creation.

HVL will: 

• Take a leading role in regional initiatives that address key national and global societal challenges.
• Invite regional partners to collaborate on externally funded research and innovation projects.
• Strengthen co-creation with regional actors through cluster collaborations, networks, and partnerships.
• Make use of opportunities offered by the ARTEMIS alliance and expand cooperation with alliance partners in collaboration with our regional stakeholders.

We communicate our research in the public sphere and promote academic freedom of expression. HVL contributes with research-based input and disseminates knowledge to a broad public.

HVL will: 

• Increase the number of researchers and research groups actively engaged in publishing their results, including international co-publication.
• Emphasise quality in the communication of research results and reinforce dissemination both internally and externally.
• Build trust in science by increasing openness, including sharing research data, publishing research findings continuously, and using open access publication channels.
• Influence decision and policy-makers and contribute with knowledge that has a positive societal impact.
• Communicate knowledge to the general public to strengthen the societal importance   of science and counter misinformation.

Photos: Mauricio Pavez and Ingvild C. Festervoll Melien.