The Norwegian Research School on Digitalisation, Culture and Society (DIGIT) is a collaborative initiative involving seven Norwegian universities, a research institute, and six partners from the public and private sectors. Together, these 13 partners offer an innovative academic programme focused on the social science dimensions of digitalisation, aimed at training the next generation of experts in the field.
Since its inception in 2022, DIGIT has admitted over one hundred doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers into its programme. Participants benefit from extensive networking opportunities as well as access to specialised academic courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, and placements in public and private organisations. DIGIT’s non-academic partners ensure that the programme fosters knowledge that is relevant for potential careers outside academia.
Every November, DIGIT hosts a mandatory kick-off course at OsloMet, where members of the incoming cohort meet one another and the research school’s partners. During this event, participants are introduced to key concepts, theories, and methods, as well as issues of societal relevance within the field of digitalisation. They also present their own research and build connections with their peers. The kick-off course has been instrumental in fostering a shared identity within the research school.
Beyond the initial seminar, DIGIT offers a varied programme that balances breadth and depth. Members have access to both foundational introductory courses and more specialised PhD-level courses, which include in-depth studies of issues such as the digitalisation of working life and advanced research methods. Additionally, the programme emphasises the development of academic skills through initiatives such as writing retreats, “papers-in-progress” meetings, and workshops on research dissemination. DIGIT has also hosted panel debates and public seminars addressing current societal issues, as well as facilitated participation in major national conferences organised by public-sector partners.
DIGIT fosters international and cross-sector collaboration. For example, it organises three-day seminars in Brussels, where participants engage with representatives from EU institutions, research organisations, and Brussel-based civil society organisations working on issues related to digitalisation, culture, and society. These gatherings aim to build bridges between Norwegian research and European initiatives, while also equipping participants to pursue international funding opportunities.
A key highlight of the programme is the final seminar, where each cohort meets for a career-focused event at the conclusion of their time with DIGIT. This seminar is designed by the participants themselves to ensure its relevance. Upon “graduation,” DIGIT members join the growing alumni network, where the sense of community is sustained through dedicated seminars and activities.
In a relatively short time, DIGIT has established itself as a key research school for social science and humanities research on digitalisation in Norway. The project is already yielding tangible results, fostering increased collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and national borders. It provides a strong foundation for future research and contributes to the development of socially relevant knowledge.
Partners: Nord University (Nord), the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the University of Agder (UiA), the University of Bergen (UiB), the University of Oslo (UiO), the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), the Institute for Social Research (ISF), the Employer’s Association Spekter (Spekter), the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), the Norwegian Digitalisation Agency (Digdir), the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), and No Isolation.
Host Institution: Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet).
The Norwegian Research School on Digitalization, Culture and Society (DIGIT) will foster synergies between seven Norwegian universities (UIO, UIB, UIO, NTNU, Nord, USN, UIA, OsloMet), one research institute (ISF), and six non-academic partners (NAV, KS, LO, Spekter, DIGDIR, No Isolation) in the education of the next generation of experts on digitalization, culture and society. The School will provide Ph.D students and postdoctoral fellows with a platform to conduct innovative investigations into the complex interplay of digital, cultural and social change. Bringing together leading scholars from the humanities and social sciences and non-academic partners, the School will provide high quality and innovative scientific training to the students.
Students will be enrolled annually in classes for 2 years. The DIGIT alumni will provide students networking and career development opportunities after the two year programme. Organized in four thematic clusters (focusing on the relationship between digitalisation and working life, security and privacy, service provision and public administration; and governance and democracy), DIGIT will provide training to secure take up of new theoretical approaches, new methodological approaches, ethics, gender and intersectionality, and transitions from research to practice in non-academic sector. DIGIT will develop new cutting edge, cross-disciplinary courses, assist the candidates in developing their professional networks across institutions and countries, provide international publication opportunities, offer secondment opportunities with non-academic partners, training in communication with non-academic sector, and career planning.
Non-academic partners will be involved in all activities of the School to identify training needs and research questions and topics of relevance to non-academic sector. DIGIT will be supported by an International Advisory Committee.
