The stay at CAS 2022-23 is ending this month

masv on 1. June 2023

Over the past year, we at PANSOC have had the pleasure of hosting a large international team of researchers behind the Social Science Meets Biology: Indigenous People and Severe Influenza Outcomes project at Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) at the Norwegian Academy of Science & Letters in Oslo, Norway. This interdisciplinary research project has sought to explore the complex factors that contribute to the severe influenza outcomes often experienced by Indigenous communities in Northern Europe, North America and Oceania.

As the project comes to an end, Centre leader of PANSOC and head of the CAS-project, Professor Mamelund, has given his reflections on the project, its findings, and the future of pandemic research in an interview at CAS. Read more here: End Interview: Social Science Meets Biology | CAS (cas-nor.no)

Portrait picture: Svenn-Erik Mamelund

CAS-project presented in Madrid

masv on 19. January 2023

On January 12, Centre-leader at PANSOC, Svenn-Erik Mamelund, presented our CAS-project, “Social Science Meets Biology: Indigenous Peoples and Severe Influenza Outcomes” in the “Demography Today” series arranged by the Spanish National Research Council and the BBVA Foundation in Madrid. You can watch the recordings here.

The hunt for the virus causing the 1918 influenza pandemic

masv on 29. November 2022

The hunt for the virus causing the 1918 influenza pandemic and how it has informed science and preparedness for future pandemics. Jeffery Taubenberger (NIAID) and John Oxford (QMUL) spoke at The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters as guests of our CAS project November 8th. You can watch a recording of their talks here The hunt for the virus causing the 1918 influenza pandemic – FilMet (oslomet.no) and also a pod-cast they did here: Part I: Reflections on a pandemic – Viten og snakkis (oslomet.no). Lisa Sattenspiel Tanner and Svenn-Erik Mamelund also did a follow-up podcast Part 2: Reflections on a pandemic – Viten og snakkis (oslomet.no)

Dødens skip – Kong Sverre. Hvorfor døde så mange av rekruttene ombord av spanskesyken i 1918?

masv on 20. June 2022

Christina Stylegar Torjussen er masterstudent i historie ved Universitetet i Sør-Øst Norge (Ole Georg Mosen som hovedveileder) og har samtidig vært assosiert med PANSOC hvor hun også har hatt Mamelund som biveileder. Hun har jobbet med å finne ut mest mulig om soldatene og hvorfor det gikk så galt med mange av dem. Skipet var stasjonert i Horten og tok imot 500 rekrutter i oktober 1918. Snart var 158 av dem smittet. Av disse fikk halvparten lungebetennelse og 27% av dem døde. Andelen som døde var mye høyere enn i resten av samfunnet (som var 2% høsten 1918). I episoden forteller Torjussen også om hvordan det er å skrive masteroppgave ved siden av full lærerjobb, og litt om hvordan det er å være en del av PANSOC, et fremragende forskningsmiljø ved OsloMet.

Du kan lytte til podkasten her: Dødens skip – Kong Sverre. Hvorfor døde så mange av rekruttene ombord av spanskesyken i 1918? – Viten og snakkis (oslomet.no)

Portrett av kvinne med sjø i bakgrunnen.

PANSOC affiliated students and researchers interviewed in Quartz on pandemics & mental health

masv on 23. March 2022

Journalist Annalisa Merelli in Quartz.com has interviewed our master student Carla Hughes on her research on the 1918 influenza and suicide risks while centre leader Mamelund has shared earlier research and his thoughts on the increases risks of asylum hospitalizations assoctaed with the “Spanish flu” pandemic. Read more in here: Why is the great resignation happening? — Quartz (qz.com)

Interior of Hospital during the influenza epidemic. The beds are isolated by curtains