Open Co-funding Call for Seminar on Digitalisation in Japan

We are pleased to announce an open call for partial funding for up to two DIGIT members to join a group of researchers on a visit to Tokyo, Japan from September 18-23/24, 2023.

DIGIT places emphasis on understanding how digital transformation impacts society. Japan serves as an intriguing backdrop to observe alternative approaches and practices in this field. This seminar is also an opportunity to learn about digitalization efforts and technological advancements in a society that is highly centralized yet municipally organized, with a rapidly aging population. 

Read more about the program below.

NB! The application deadline is June 29th.

Co-funding

Each selected researcher will receive a travel stipend of 10,000 NOK from DIGIT, which will be paid out after the trip. Please note that costs exceeding 10,000 NOK will have to be paid by the grantee’s individual projects.

Eligibility

This call is open to PhD students and postdocs in the DIGIT research school.

Application Process

To apply, please include the title and a short description of your PhD/postdoc project along with a motivational letter (max 1 page) that explains how this seminar will benefit your research project and future career.

Apply here: https://nettskjema.no/a/349666 (The application deadline is June 29th)

Seminar Details

The seminar is organized by Roger Søraa, a DIGIT partner at NTNU, along with Marit Haldar and Rune Halvorsen, the director and co-director of DIGIT, respectively. Two representatives from the DIGIT partner The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) will also be participating, along with a small group of researchers from the research center CEDIC (the host institution of DIGIT research school at OsloMet).

Tentative Schedule

• September 18: Departure to Tokyo, Japan.

• September 19: Visit Ochanomizu University to explore digital organization and diversity in Japan. Esteemed guests from Smart City Tokyo will provide insights, and there will be presentations from the private sector focusing on Japanese companies' perspectives on digitalization.

• September 20: Observe digital solutions and the utilization of advanced technology at a Japanese retirement center. The day will also include a walking tour through Tokyo's digital future. An optional networking dinner will be arranged in the evening.

• September 21: Kick-off for the Sociomaterial transformations in Norway and East Asia project (SoMaT), led by NTNU in collaboration with the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The day will involve presentations from four Asian universities, NTNU, public and private organizations, and the Norwegian ambassador to Japan. A networking dinner will conclude the day's events.

• September 22: Visit to one of Japan's smaller municipalities, such as the historic villages of Nikko or Gifu. We will gain insights into the governance of digital infrastructure outside major cities.

• September 23/24: Return trip to Norway.

Written report

The two grantees must collectively submit a brief report after the trip, which will be published on our homepage.

Contact

For any inquiries, please direct your questions to tina.svingerud@oslomet.no.

We look forward to receiving your applications!