Exploring Mjøsa aboard the world’s oldest paddle steamer!

This Saturday, 12 temporary scientific staff from NTNU in Gjøvik, including PhDs and PostDocs, set sail on Skibladner, the legendary 1856 paddle steamer, for a memorable journey from Gjøvik to Hamar in an event organized by DION.
With Mjøsa’s calm waters, fresh summer air, and panoramic views as our backdrop, it was the perfect opportunity to connect, share experiences, and enjoy a piece of Norwegian heritage together.
For many, it was the first time aboard Skibladner – known as the “white swan of Mjøsa” – and the trip was filled with good conversations, laughter, and new friendships.
A huge thanks to everyone who joined us and made this a day to remember!

DION’s Edible Plant Foraging Course – A Wonderful Afternoon in Nature!

On May 22nd, DION hosted a wonderful afternoon of edible plant foraging and learning at Høyskoleparken, NTNU. Led by Patrick Bösch, a certified Wild Edible Plants Identification Expert, the event offered participants a chance to connect with nature, discover local edible plants, and practice sustainable harvesting techniques. Our members also found lots of inspiration for incorporating wild plants into their cooking.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and made the afternoon so enjoyable! Stay tuned for more DION events, and let’s continue learning and growing together!

Empowering Academic Staff: A Seminar on Unions and the Norwegian Model

On May 7th, Tekna and DION co-hosted a seminar in Trondheim to introduce temporary scientific staff at NTNU to the Norwegian Model and the role of unions in Norway.

Thanks to Tekna representatives Alexander Iversen, Eirin Marie Skjøndal Bar, and Rune Sætre for your advice and answers to our members’ questions! That was a great help for our members in understanding their situations, rights, and the resources available to them when they need support. Also, thanks to Lisebeth Hulmann for coordinating food services for the events across all three campuses.

DION is committed to supporting temporary scientific staff by connecting them with relevant resources and fostering an informed and inclusive academic community. Thanks to everyone who joined the event and all the discussions!

Exploring the Coast: Seaweed Foraging in Trondheim

Last weekend, we had the chance to explore Trondheim’s shoreline through two hands-on seaweed foraging sessions with guide Patrick Bösch.

We learned how to identify edible seaweeds, harvest them responsibly, and got inspired to try them in the kitchen. Despite the wind and rain, the energy and curiosity everyone brought made it a great experience. This event was one of several initiatives for temporary scientific employees at NTNU, aimed at fostering community connections and encouraging engagement with sustainability through hands-on, local experiences.

Thanks to all who joined, and to Patrick for sharing his knowledge with us!

DION x Startup Migrants in Trondheim: Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

From April 25–27, DION teamed up with Startup Migrants for a 3-day crash course in entrepreneurship. Huge thanks to Startup Migrants for the collaboration, to our amazing speakers, and to everyone who joined us. It was an energizing and empowering experience, especially for early-career researchers and temporary employees looking to grow and thrive.

Over the course of the program, participants:
Heard real stories from founders about the ups and downs of starting a business.
Got a crash course on the legal side of launching a company in Norway.
Learned how to take an idea and start building it into something real
Picked up practical advice on how (and where!) to get started.

We’re excited to see where these new ideas and connections will lead!