By Anna CohenMiller, October 14 2025
At PLUS – Centre for Professional Development and Learning, we believe in promoting learning across all stages, seeing master’s study as not just a finish line—it’s a launching pad. That vision came to life in our third Nord Master Plus research seminar for the 2025 cohort, where top-performing students from across faculties gathered to sharpen their research skills, build connections, and imagine their futures as scholars.
The program blended inspiration with practical guidance with the day led by Tor Eivind Aaneland (PLUS) and Dr. Nayr Ibrahim (FLU). Students explored how to transform a thesis into publishable research, practiced innovative approaches to presenting and analyzing data, and engaged in open conversations with PhD students about the realities of applying for doctoral study. Each session was designed to both expand knowledge, and also to spark confidence in taking the next steps along an academic career path.
The day began with a welcome, a land acknowledgement, and then an inspiring invited talk from Alyssa Kvalvaag, “From Master’s Thesis to Book Chapter: Exploring Publishing as a Next Step.” Her talk provided both clear and practical strategies, emphasizing the importance of translating master’s research into broader academic contributions. Students gained a clearer vision of how to position their work for impact within and beyond their field.
In the central workshop, Dr. Nayr Ibrahim led students through “Head-Hearts-Hands: Student Presentations as ‘Data.’” Participants shared in-progress research with peers and faculty, reflecting not only on findings but also on the personal and collaborative process of inquiry. Through the innovative practice of “embodied data analysis,” students deepened their ability to interpret and make sense of research collectively, honing skills essential for their academic futures.
The event concluded with an engaging panel of four PhD students from different faculties, who candidly shared their experiences of applying for doctoral studies. Hearing from Sofia Amieva Mau (FBA), Martta Karolina Ojala (FLU), Kristin Øksendal Børresen (FSH), and Jason Eric Bunderson Toler (FSV), students were offered insightful perspectives and practical advice while also reinforcing the program’s broader aim: to inspire and equip master’s students to see themselves as future researchers, scholars, and leaders.
By providing structured opportunities for scholarly growth, interdisciplinary exchange, and international collaboration, the Master’s Student Innovation Program continues to advance its core goals: enhancing students’ academic career paths, cultivating strong research competencies, and encouraging networks that extend well beyond the university. In doing so, it lays a foundation for the next generation of PhD students and research leaders. These students will finalize the year-long program on October 16, 2025, at the Bodø campus.
The university campus is invited to learn more about their experiences in a final Poster Session: Academic Mini-Conference at 10.00-11.15 October 16, 2025, at the Bodø campus, in the greyzone.
If this type of program sounds of interest to you or to a top student you know, recruitment for the 2026 cohort will be open soon.
https://www.nord.no/studier/ta-en-master-ved-nord-universitet/nord-master-plus