DION is extremely pleased to introduce the candidates for the board 2024. The following candidates have shown interest and enthusiasm to run for DION president/vice president and board positions. We would like to remind you that it is still possible to announce your candidacy. You just need to fill out this form. You can even step forward as a candidate during AGM!
Candidates for DION President / vice president (and board member):
Diana Giovanni Magnano (Current Vice President)
PhD Candidate, Department of International Business, Ålesund
Short biography:
I am a PhD candidate in Ålesund and part of the “Sweet Spot Project”, an interdisciplinary collaboration to identify the primary sources and hot-spot areas of plastic pollution in Norwegian waters. My research focuses on the circular economy practices in the fishing gear industry. I graduated with a master’s in international business and marketing, specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 2019. This year, I have served as a vice president in DION. This has given me valuable experiences and skills that I would like to use in the board position for 2024.
Motivation:
Being part of the DION board has given me valuable experience in developing my leadership skills, expanding my horizons, and better understanding the issues faced by the interests of temporary employees at NTNU. It has also allowed me to make a meaningful contribution towards enhancing the work environment for temporary staff at NTNU. I am driven to join the DION board in 2024 and further contribute my experience collaborating with temporary staff at NTNU to advance their representation and support. Therefore, I would like to create a platform where temporary staff at NTNU can share their thoughts and ideas on making our work environment and community better places to thrive. These are only possible when there is a willingness to collaborate, a passion for others and a commitment to a shared vision. In addition, I would like to organize more indoor and outdoor activities. I eagerly look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the interest of PhD, Postdocs and temporary staff and make a meaningful impact.
Fei Song (Current Board Member)
PhD Candidate, Faculty of Engineering, Trondheim
Short biography:
I am from northern China and enjoy voluntary work, especially organizing events and meeting people. In my spare time I like to go out in the nature, chop wood and read books. Recently I have passed Norwegian level 3 in NTNU, and I wish that could contribute to the future work of DION.
Motivation:
I was fortunate enough to volunteer with DION in 2023, an experience that significantly enhanced my passion for continuing my work with the organization. During this time, I organized a variety of activities, including a foraging trip, a visit to a chocolate factory, and a yoga session. The enjoyment expressed by the participants served as a powerful motivator for me to continue my efforts.
However, I also recognized that there are several areas where improvements could be made, particularly for temporary employees. These include a lack of support for career development, the absence of an Ombudsman in conflict situations, and unequal opportunities for language courses, among others. I want to see that the work initiated by the current board can be further advanced in 2024.
Phd Candidate, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Trondheim
Short biography:
I am a PhD student with experience in indoor environments and building energy. After two years in Norway, I would like to become a part of this vibrant community and collaborate with them to make events better and more beneficial for NTNU employees.
Motivation:
This is a wonderful chance for me to further develop my leadership and collaboration proficiencies. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from diverse disciplines and provide input to the dynamic environment that DION builds.
Phd Candidate, Department of Marine Technology, Trondheim
Short biography:
I am PhD candidate at the Department of Marine Technology, where I study design of floating offshore wind turbines. I from just outside of Washington DC, and completed my bachelor and masters degrees in the US before moving to Norway in 2021 to start my PhD. I have been active in both the PhD social committee in the Department of Marine Technology and currently am a deputy student representative for temporary employees in the department (tillitsvalgt). Outside of work, I like to remain active with student volunteering.
Motivation:
I often find myself frustrated with the lack of clarity around why and how NTNU makes decisions that affect temporary employees. During my time at NTNU I have also seen firsthand the effects of unfair treatment of some temporary employees. I believe that with specific advocacy and open communication between PhD students from across NTNU we can improve this clarity and work towards fairness. I want to join the DION board to work on these issues, and improve life for all temporary employees at NTNU. I want to work to increase fairness and transparency around pay for temporary employees. Specifically, I want to address the fact that PhD candidates employed before May 1, 2023 can make below the new minimum for PhD candidates. I also want to work to access to resources for language learning, as NTNU has repeatedly emphasized their desire for Norwegian language to be the primary language at NTNU, but has done little to help non-Norwegian speakers learn the language. Specifically, I would like to move the cost burden for language courses away from individual departments so that temporary employees don’t have to choose between funding their work and language courses. Finally, I want to work to provide mental health resources to temporary employees. I believe at a minimum, new temporary employees deserve a clearer explanation of what is available to them through NTNU and local health care. All of these things will take time to time to advocate for and change, but I think DION has a role to play in communicating why these are issues to all temporary employees. This communication should happen through formal channels, but I also think it is crucial that DION maintains social offerings at all campuses to help foster informal communication, especially across departments and faculties.
Candidates for DION board member:
Phd Candidate, Department of International Business, Ålesund
Short biography:
I am PhD candidate at the Department of International Business (IIF) at NTNU (Ålesund campus). I have done my masters in the same department. I am from Bangladesh and have been living in Norway since 2019. I served as the Vice President of the ‘International Student Union’ while I was a master’s student.
Motivation:
I have been part of different student organizations throughout my education life. I feel happy when I can help someone out and contribute to their well-being. Being a Ph.D. candidate, coming from a different country, and working previously with international students (here on the Ålesund campus), I understand the pain points of those who are in the same boat as me. I would like to contribute to three key aspects:
1. Assist in facilitating social and cultural interactions among the temporary scientific staff.
2. Advocate on behalf of the temporary scientific staff’s rights and benefits.
3. Investigate investment and mentorship opportunities for the temporary scientific staff’s future professional growth.
I believe these three aspects are very important for us as temporary scientific staff, and I am motivated to look into these aspects if I am given the opportunity.
Phd Candidate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Trondheim
Short biography:
I’m Alireza Norouziasas, a passionate Ph.D. candidate specializing in building energy performance and sustainable design approaches. My current focus revolves around merging scientific principles with architectural design to create environmentally friendly solutions that positively impact our built environment. I strive to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, paving the way for more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.
Motivation:
My motivation to join the DION Board for the 2024 term lies in my aspiration to actively contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for temporary scientific staff at NTNU. I aim to leverage my diverse background and experiences to collaborate effectively with individuals from various disciplines. Through organizing engaging social, cultural, and scientific events across NTNU’s campuses in Trondheim, Gjøvik, and Ålesund, I intend to foster a sense of community and promote professional development among temporary scientific staff. Additionally, my goal is to represent their interests on key NTNU councils and committees, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. I am excited about the prospect of not only gaining valuable leadership skills but also playing a direct role in advocating for the rights and well-being of scientific employees.
Phd Candidate, Department of Computer Science, IE, Gjøvik
Short biography:
Hello everyone! I’m Akif, an individual exploring the world of academia at IDI Gjøvik. My academic journey started with a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences in Pakistan in 2016. Continuing my academic career, I completed my Masters degree at NTNU Gjøvik. Currently, my research focuses on deploying Big Data workflows and optimizing costs in the Cloud Continuum. Apart from my academic activities, I take pride in my volunteer work and my contributions to community initiatives. In Pakistan, I dedicated myself to projects that promoted and facilitated education for children and provided vocational training opportunities for youth. These experiences have not only influenced my interests but have also ignited a passion for community involvement and the transformative impact of education.
Motivation:
First of all, I would like to extend kudos to the board members of DION 2023. Great year, you guys! The year 2023 proved to be very active and filled with exciting events, and I am eager to continue that momentum. I am particularly interested in reinstating Mental Health Awareness Week, and organizing more events like board game nights and day trips to museums. Additionally, I realize the importance of the latest initiatives, such as the feedback survey about language courses and the PhD-Supervisor Experience survey. I plan to actively follow up on the progress of these surveys to ensure that PhDs, Postdocs, and Temporary staff experience a safe, healthy, and enjoyable work life. I look forward to the opportunity to help DION succeed and positively influence the academic community at NTNU.
Anastasia Skarpeti (Current Board Member)
Phd Candidate, Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering, Ålesund
Short biography:
Hi all! I am a Ph.D. candidate at IHB campus Ålesund, and two years in a row I have been a DION board member, which makes me exceptionally experienced with a variety of topics that PhDs, postdocs, and scientific temporary staff are experiencing. I am involved in the Norwegian language course survey and have organised many campus events. Now I am in collaboration with different local organizations and hope to continue working to improve our academic life!
Motivation:
I’d like to continue the current work because I have reach a level that I can contribute a lot to the next board. I care about my colleagues, and I am aware for the issues that they’re facing.
Gabriel Andy Szalkowski (Current Board Member)
Phd Candidate, Department of Information Security and Communication Technology, IE, Gjøvik
Short biography:
I was born on a cold Monday morning, it was December 21st… Well, maybe I should start with something more recent. I am Gabriel Szalkowski, and I moved to Norway (Gjøvik) almost two years ago for my PhD in Digital Economics and Sustainability, seeking a career path where I could have a real world impact, just after finishing my Master’s in physics from the University of Valencia, Spain. When I tell people that I was born and grew up there they usually ask me (especially during the dark and cold winter time) “Why did you leave?” Sometimes, when it seems like the sun just went on vacation for a couple of weeks, even I ask myself the same question. Most of the times, however, I remember why I am here and I like it.
I like seeing that I have a positive impact on the people around me, even if it is small. That is why I post the “Joke of the Day” on the door of my office, that’s why I volunteered in several initiatives in Spain and in Poland, and that’s why I joined the DION board last year. During my term in the DION board, I had the opportunity to organize gatherings and events, meet plenty of interesting people, and have amazing conversations with fellow PhDs and postdocs. I am thankful for that, and I wish next year could bring the same or even better experiences.
Motivation:
I have been a DION board member for almost a year now and, to be honest, it felt like a very short time. There is so much more I would like to do, so many events to organise, so many causes to fight for…
This past year we organised several successful events, many of them in Gjøvik. In fact many people asked me to organise again the “Share your culture” event, or asked for more board game evenings. Next year, I will make sure that these events happen again, and more frequently. I will also organise the FAKE conference (FAKE: Fantastical Assemblage of Kooky Expositions), a serious-looking absurd conference, with a real call for papers, a poster session, etc.
I have also been asked personally to have more frequent gatherings, smaller events that would be an opportunity to just talk and do some stuff together. I know how lonely and difficult it can get sometimes being in a foreign country doing a job like a PhD. I understand the importance of creating a social support network (which is one of the five principles for good mental health). I will make sure that these events happen as frequently as possible.
It is also clear for me that having on the board someone with previous experience in DION is also very helpful, especially in the beginning. We were lucky to have some past board members this previous year, for which I am grateful. I want to help in the next board in the same way.
One last thing I wanted to mention is that, from addressing multiple inquiries, I have learned a lot about the resources we have for handling complicated situations and our rights as employees. I would like to continue helping people in this way, which motivates me even further to join next year’s board.
Davit Gigilashvili (Current Board Member)
Post-Doctoral Researcher, Department of Computer Science, Gjøvik
Short biography:
I’m a postdoc at NTNU’s Colourlab in Gjøvik, primarily working on visual perception of material appearance and virtual reconstruction of cultural heritage. I did my PhD at NTNU and was a DION board member as a PhD back in 2018-2020. In April, I joined the board again – this time as a postdoc. I’m into board games, quiz games, hiking, arts, and cooking – and will be happy to continue organizing DION events that make people happy.
Motivation:
I’m currently a DION board member, which has been an exceptionally rewarding experience. I want to continue the work that I started on language courses and other needs of the temporary staff. Besides, I’ve received lots of positive feedback on the events that I organized – and want to make even more fun events happen. Finally, I want to put more effort in small informal recurring events, such as språkkafes, coffee breaks with DION etc. that have been proposed by some DION members.