(Published 10.12 2020)

I am amazed by what we have going at the NTRANS research center. It has been three months since I joined and I could not help but notice, right from the start, the positive work culture that emerges from each one of its members as an effect of committing to a worthy cause and having the means to pursue it.

After working in very competitive work environments it feels really good to be on a team that provides mutual support and feedback and, as a newcomer, I am challenged by the quality of the work of my colleagues to improve myself. This does not mean that the drive provided by competition is out of the picture as we are stimulated and dedicate ourselves to provide research at high standards and international level. The balance thus attained provides for an inclusive and productive work environment.

Much has been said about background diversity and the beneficial impact of cross-discipline collaboration, and this has always been easier said than done. Because each field has its focus, methods, and “lingo” there are many difficulties for interdisciplinary communication, which requires effort from all participants. It seems easier for each specialist to dive deeply into their subject and enjoy the safety of their area.

At the NTRANS Annual Conference, I was able to see the collaboration being put in action, with researchers from different backgrounds sharing knowledge willingly and even searching for better ways to communicate their ideas to a diverse audience, answering questions with care and attention. Another highlight of the conference was the participation of the NTRANS partners, private company managers, and public authorities, sharing strategies and visions of the future, dedicating their time to contribute to this goal of finding a just and viable transition into a more sustainable future.

It has been said that the duty of academia is presenting the facts so that the community can then make informed decisions. Anyone that participated in the conference would see exactly this: researchers, business executives, and public sector representatives coming together to find practical solutions that cater to the common good. That shows that we are aware of another criticism made about academic work, that it often turns inwards building knowledge only for the sake of knowledge, in the allegorical ivory tower.

Sitting in my office in one of the high buildings of the Gløshaugen plateau and hearing different languages being spoken in the corridors I cannot help but remember another allegorical tower, the ill-fated tower of Babel. What separates this thousand year’s old metaphor and our current initiative? What caused the former to fail and why is the latter succeeding? I think the answer is quite easy: the cautionary tale shows a colossal endeavor that failed because it was fueled by hubris, while the pursuit of our objective, which might be equally challenging, is firmly structured over a foundation of mutual respect and is focused on a better and collective human experience.