MishMash Board Meeting #3

Date: 14 September 2026

Time: 08:00–09:30

Location: Cultiva board room, Kristiansand

Members:

Secretariat:

The meeting was held in person, ahead of MishMash’s opening conference in Kristiansand. The work package leaders took part in item 6.

Agenda

1. Notice of meeting

Background

The notice of meeting was prepared by the chair in collaboration with the Centre Director.

Discussion

An item on upcoming board meetings was added under any other business.

Decision

The notice of meeting was approved.

2. Approval of the minutes

Background

Decision

The minutes from the previous board meeting were approved without remarks.

3. Orientation from the Centre Director

Discussion

The Centre Director gave an orientation on the activity in the centre. Main points mentioned:

  • The work package leaders had a full-day gathering in Oslo in June. Most meetings are short and take place on Zoom, while the gathering made it possible to spend more time on several large themes: inter- and multidisciplinarity, artistic research and development work, and strategies for co-publication.

  • Events:
    • The management has given priority to appearing at countless panel debates and guest lectures to reach different audiences.
    • Ida Jahr took part in the Crown Prince’s visit to Tokyo.
    • MishMash organised its own panel during Arendalsuka in the NORA tent.
    • Several of the work package leaders coordinated a networking event at Ars Electronica.

  • Partner agreements are signed as they come in. Joining is open, but it is stressed that participation gives no direct financial return.

  • Recruitment: over 20 people have been appointed, and the remaining positions are in process. A scheme of master fellows has been launched.

  • A new design was developed for the opening conference and is implemented on the website.

  • Conferences: the coming hosts are Kristiania University College (spring 2027), the University of Inland Norway (autumn 2027), NTNU (spring 2028), the University of Bergen (autumn 2028) and Østfold University College (spring 2029).

  • The management is working to support proposal development. One challenge is that MishMash is not a legal entity and therefore cannot apply on its own. Mechanisms are being worked out for how MishMash can be made visible in applications from the individual institutions.

Decision

The matter was noted.

4. Financial report

Discussion

The Administrative Coordinator gave an orientation on the financial situation in the centre. Spending is somewhat below budget because of delayed starts among the recruits. It is hard to get a full overview, however, since very few of the partners have invoiced anything yet.

Seed funding round 2 was decided before the summer. About NOK 1.5 million was applied for and about NOK 700,000 was awarded. The board asked that the principles for awarding seed funding be transparent. The Centre Director explained that the process began with the work package leaders ranking the applications marked for their own work package, after which all applications were considered in a joint meeting. Round 3 is being planned, and work continues to ensure transparency in the process.

Decision

The matter was noted.

5. Reporting to the Research Council

Background

The first report to the Research Council is due by 1 October 2026.

Discussion

The management is working to ensure that everyone registers research results in NVA, marked with MishMash, so that reporting can be as automatic as possible. Beyond that, the report will be based on an update of the appointed recruits and an update of the popular science descriptions of the centre. The work is under control.

Decision

The matter was noted.

6. Status from the work packages

Background

The work package leaders were invited to give short status presentations for their work packages. The session was held in English.

Discussion

The board found the centre well on track. Topics discussed: collaboration between the work packages, collaboration with the other AI centres, activating the non-academic partners, and the potential of the European university alliances.

Decision

The matter was noted.

7. Any other business

Discussion

The board discussed the meeting frequency and the matters that should be dealt with.

Decision

The board arrived at the following outline:

When Form Content
November 2026 Online Computing resources, the institutions’ own funding, communication strategy
February 2027 Online Accounts and budget
April 2027 In person Orientation from the work package leaders