BIOCORE Biodiversity Collections and Research Education

Duration: 01.01.2026–31.12.2033

BIOCORE is a national research school led by Norway’s four university natural history museums and funded by the Research Council of Norway. The research school offers cross‑disciplinary training in biodiversity, with collections‑based research at its core.

Contact

Trude Schmidt Øvregard University of Oslo Coordinator

BIOCORE provides specialised courses and workshops, research and training mobility, regular seminars and networking events, and opportunities to collaborate with non‑academic and policy partners. It is organised as a nationally coordinated graduate school that equips early‑career researchers with an integrated skill set spanning field sampling and maintenance of living collections, taxonomic expertise and specimen digitisation, genomic and molecular methods, data integration and analysis, and communication and societal engagement. Through collaboration between Norway’s four university natural history museums and key partners such as Artsdatabanken, NINA and NIVA, BIOCORE strengthens Norway’s capacity to monitor biodiversity, inform conservation and management, and connect museum‑based research with society and decision‑makers.

Website

BIOCORE has a dedicated research school website that presents all courses, events, membership information, and support for biodiversity research in Norway:

Visit BIOCORE's website

Participants

Micah Dunthorn University of Oslo Leader (2026–2029)
Siri Birkeland University of Oslo Leader (2030–2033)
Trude Schmidt Øvregard University of Oslo Coordinator
Adriana Lopes dos Santos University of Oslo
Håvard Kauserud University of Oslo
Hugo de Boer University of Oslo
Anneleen Kool University of Oslo
Kjetil Lysne Voje University of Oslo
Mika Bendiksby University of Oslo
Charlotte Sletten Bjorå University of Oslo
Dag Endresen University of Oslo
Elisabeth Stur NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet Co-leader
Nataliya Budaeva Universitetsmuseet i Bergen Co-leader
Galina Gusarova Norges arktiske universitetsmuseum Co-leader
Aino Hosia University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Anders Finstad NTNU University Museum
Åse Åtland Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)
Dimitar Dimitrov University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Elina Halttunen Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)
Heidi Lie Andersen University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Inger Greve Alsos Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
James Speed NTNU University Museum
Jarle Bjerke Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Kristian Hassel NTNU University Museum
Kristine Westergaard NTNU University Museum
Michael David Pirie University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Nicolas Straube University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Sophie Steinhagen University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Stine Svalheim Markussen Artsdatabanken
Torbjørn Ekrem NTNU University Museum
Vibekke Vange NTNU University Museum