Meltzer Prize for Outstanding Younger Researcher 2020
Updated: May 20, 2021
On Monday 8 March 2021, the birthday of Lauritz Meltzer (d. 1943), the Meltzer Fund awarded two prizes for outstanding younger researchers under the age of 40 currently working at the University of Bergen. I was honored to receive one of the awards, which is the top prize of its kind at UiB and comes with 150 000 kr (approx $17,600, taxfree).
The award is for "fremragende vitenskapelig arbeid, selvstendighet og evne til nyskaping" (outstanding scientific work, independence and ability to innovate) and places emphasis on "nyere forskningsbidrag, fortrinnsvis slike som er publisert eller bedømt det foregående år, eller som i det foregående år har fått særlig vitenskapelig anerkjennelse" (recent research contributions, preferably those that have been published or assessed in the previous year, or that have received particular scientific recognition in the previous year).
Here is an overview of my scholarship emphasized by the prize, written by nominator Professor of medieval Latin Aidan Conti.
Read more about the Meltzer awards 2020 and part of a short interview with me on På Høyden, as well as an announcement in Khrono.no.
I find preparing for a language proficiency test easier to think about when there is a concrete question to start from. Practising the task format can help a learner focus on language rather than unfamiliar instructions. I would keep that thought nearby when looking for ideas about language test preparation. I would probably come back to this question after trying to work through one concrete example rather than deciding immediately. How would you balance test practice with everyday language use?
The topic of understanding community involvement in education gives me a few things to think about, especially when the discussion moves beyond general advice. A school community grows through ordinary opportunities to work together. This is why I would approach community school involvement with a specific question rather than a fixed expectation. I can imagine different answers depending on the situation, so I would want to understand the context before drawing conclusions. How can families contribute ideas without needing large amounts of free time?
Considering learning to explain a technical idea simply, I keep coming back to the difference between knowing about an idea and putting it into practice. A short explanation can become clearer when it follows the order in which a beginner meets a problem. It makes me curious about the practical side of technical communication skills. The part I would like to explore further is what happens when the idea meets a real situation with its own limitations. What would you explain first before introducing a new technical term?
The theme of making printed information clearer makes me curious about what people notice in their own everyday experiences. Readable spacing and a clear hierarchy can change how easily someone finds a detail on a page. For Mailandbros, I would use practical print design as a starting point for a closer discussion of the subject. That is the part I would keep thinking about after moving on to something else. What would you check on a printed draft before producing more copies?
When it comes to keeping personal care simple and thoughtful, one clear example can stay with me longer than a long list of general points. A small consistent habit can be easier to assess than several unfamiliar changes introduced together. That thought gives me a starting point for exploring personal care ideas in connection with Mafelicita. I would rather explore one useful example carefully than pretend that the whole subject is already clear. What would help someone decide which parts of a personal-care routine are useful to them?