Norway's Ambassador Strengthens Durham Ties With Visit Focused on Energy and Research
Durham's strong ties with Norway were further strengthened this week with a visit from His Excellency, Tore Hattrem, the Norwegian Ambassador to the UK. The trip built on previous engagement, including a delegation visit to Norwegian universities in June 2024, and focused on energy, green transition, and research collaboration.
The Ambassador's visit included a stop at the Energetic Future conference at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, hosted by Professor Clive Jones, who holds a visiting research chair at a Norwegian university. Professor Simone Abram and Professor Simon Hogg, members of the Durham Energy Institute, also spoke at the conference on the Talent and Skills Pipeline.
Ambassador Hattrem met with Durham professors to discuss plans for bolstering research and education connections. He engaged with Professor Karen O'Brien and Professor Claire O'Malley, exploring ways to deepen the partnership. Additionally, the Ambassador gave a talk to students and staff on 'Reflections on efforts for conflict resolution in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan'.
The visit by Ambassador Hattrem highlights the growing collaboration between Durham and Norway. With existing partnerships in research and education, and a UKRI cooperation agreement opening national research funding opportunities, both parties are committed to strengthening ties. This visit signals a promising future for joint efforts in energy, green transition, and research.
