OsloMet RISE held its first Board election on May 28, 2026.
The elected Board will represent PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and other temporary research employees at OsloMet and lead the organisation through its 2026-27 operational year.
Executive Board 2026-27
Role
President
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Postdoctoral Researcher Bineeth Kuriakose Faculty of Social Sciences (SAM) Bineeth Kuriakose is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences (SAM), working at the intersection of AI and investigative journalism. His research spans human-centred AI systems, accessibility, media, health, education, and the responsible use of AI in society. In 2025, he received the OsloMets Prize for Promising Researcher for his interdisciplinary and socially relevant research contributions. Bineeth has played a central role in revitalising the organisation, previously OsloMetDoc, into its current form as OsloMet RISE. As General Secretary of the Interim Board, he has contributed to developing the organisation’s statutes, governance framework, and core operational processes. Beyond RISE, he also serves as a board member for 2026 at Stipendiatorganisasjonene i Norge (SiN), the national organisation representing doctoral candidates and early-career researchers in Norway. Key priorities as President
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Role
General Secretary
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PhD Candidate Maryam Lotfigolian Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) Maryam Lotfigolian is a PhD Candidate at OsloMet, working on computational methods in quantum chemistry. She is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and Mathematical Modelling, as well as the ERC-funded REGAL project. Her research focuses on density-functional theory, where I combine scientific computing with theoretical and mathematical analysis. Her background includes mathematical modeling, machine learning, statistics, optimization, quantum computing, and AI. I have gained experience through my work at OsloMet, Ruter AS, and TET Digital AS. At OsloMet, she currently serves as a deputy representative on the Doctoral Degree Committee. She also has experience with teaching, peer-reviewed publications, and collaboration across research areas. She is interested in serving as General Secretary of OsloMet RISE because she values clear communication, inclusive representation, and well-organized coordination. |
Role
Treasurer
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PhD Candidate Ebrahim Ghorbani Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) Ebrahim Ghorbani is a first-year PhD candidate in Engineering Science at BE/TKD, with a research background in geotechnical engineering in Iran and Kazakhstan.His two and a half years of research at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, before joining OsloMet, exposed him to diverse decision-making processes, from micro-management at the school level to macro-management at the university level, affected by Kazakhstan’s local regulations. To help the other fellows at OsloMet enhance their knowledge of being temporary researchers at OsloMet and to raise potential issues they face at the university level, he have decided to play an active role in this matter by serving on the OsloMet RISE board as Treasurer if elected. Before this, Ebrahim have had a few almost same actitives, such as joining the TKD PhD committee in early 2026 as the Engineering Science PhD Candidates Representative, simultaneously serving as an interim board member for the restart of OsloMetDoc, which was rebranded to OsloMet RISE. Additionally, he is also currently undertaking the Eurodoc ValDem Ambassador Programme organised by the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc), to further enhance his capabilities and knowledge of higher education systems, particularly the European academic environment. As a streamlined way to increase his involvement and contribute to the university-level activities for PhD candidates, PostDocs, and temporary researchers. During the serving as an event officer at the interim board of OsloMet RISE, Ebrahim have noticed that he can be more practical than an event officer for OsloMet RISE, and due to having a detail-oriented personality and working with data constantly, he think the role of Treasurer is a better option for me to be part of the incoming one-year board. His international university experience, role on the TKD PhD committee, involvement in re-establishing OsloMet RISE, and participation in ValDem will enable him to effectively serve as a board member. This participation allows him to contribute to the challenges faced by all temporary research employees at OsloMet beyond his individual research responsibilities. |
Role
Public Relations Officer
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PhD Candidate Stefan Brenner Faculty of Social Sciences (SAM) Stefan Brenner is a PhD Research Fellow at the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences (SAM). His research focuses on journalism, verification methods in war and conflict, misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and the role of AI in fact-checking and investigative journalism. Stefan has played an important role in rebuilding OsloMet RISE during the interim period. As Co-President of the interim board, with additional responsibility as Co-Events Officer, he has been actively involved in the development of RISE as a representative body for temporary researchers. During the interim board’s tenure, he also served as administrator of the OsloMet RISE website and contributed significantly to the organisation’s digital presence, communication channels, and online infrastructure. As a candidate for Public Relations Officer, Stefan aims to further strengthen the visibility and outreach of RISE through clear, accessible, and engaging communication. His priorities include continuing the development and maintenance of the RISE website, strengthening the organisation’s social media presence, improving communication with members across faculties, and helping build a stronger public profile for temporary researchers at OsloMet. |
Role
Events Officers
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PhD Candidate Sarjo Kuyateh Faculty of Health Sciences (HV) Sarjo Kuyateh is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Health Sciences. She is passionate about strengthening the research community and creating spaces where PhD candidates, postdocs, and researchers can connect both socially and professionally. She believes strong research environments are built not only through academic collaboration, but also through inclusive social communities that support wellbeing, networking, and a sense of belonging; something especially important for PhD students navigating the stress and chaos of a PhD journey. Research life can be demanding, and she believes it should also be fun and memorable. Sarjo has experience organizing events and bringing people together both commercially and personally, from hosting larger social events and parties in Tromsø to arranging smaller dinner gatherings and community spaces among friends and colleagues. As an Events Officer, she works to create engaging, accessible, and meaningful social and academic events that help strengthen the OsloMet RISE community across faculties and campuses. |
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Postdoctoral Researcher Rosa Martinez-Cuadros Faculty of Health Sciences (HV) Rosa Martinez-Cuadros is a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Fellow and postdoctoral researcher at OsloMet, based at the Faculty of Health. Her research focuses on Islam, gender, religious diversity, and the intersections between religion, health, and public space, combining sociological and anthropological approaches. She has led and collaborated on international research projects funded by institutions such as the University of Birmingham and European research networks. Rosa holds a PhD in Sociology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. During her PhD in Spain, she actively advocated for PhD candidates’ rights at both institutional and national levels through various organizations. She has served as Secretary and President of an anthropology association in Barcelona, promoting public engagement with research, and is currently a board member of FIMAM, a forum of researchers on Islam and the Arab world. With this experience, she aims to strengthen representation, foster collaboration, and build an inclusive and active community for early‑career researchers at OsloMet. |
Role
Institutional Liaison Officer
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PhD Candidate Shervin Holm Bukhari Faculty of Health Sciences (HV) Shervin Holm Bukhari is a PhD candidate at the Department of Nursing and Health Promotion at Faculty of Health Sciences. |