Appointment of Members

Evaluation of Applicants

After the application deadline, the applications are sent to a Nordic evaluation committee, which assesses whether the applicants are qualified to become members of VKM. The evaluation committee assesses the applicant’s scientific competence based on the following questions:

• Does the applicant have scientific competence at the doctoral level within VKM’s areas of expertise, including publications in these fields (both peer-reviewed articles and grey literature)?

The evaluation committee also considers whether:

• the applicant has experience with risk assessments and/or knowledge summaries

• the applicant has experience from professional and/or interdisciplinary work in committees or working groups

The applications are distributed among the members of the evaluation committee. Each applicant is assessed by two members of the committee. The evaluation committee then decides whether the applicants are qualified to be members of VKM in a joint meeting.

Placement in the Committee

All applicants deemed qualified by the evaluation committee are considered for placement in the committee. The goal of the placement is to ensure that:

• VKM’s areas of expertise, including knowledge of Norwegian and/or Nordic conditions, are covered

• members come from different parts of the country and from Scandinavia

• each gender is represented by at least 40 percent

• the placement contributes to the development of Norwegian knowledge environments within VKM’s areas of expertise

It is desirable that the Chairs of the Scientific Panels have extensive and broad relevant scientific experience and leadership experience.

The Secretariat prepares a proposal for placement in the committee. The proposal is sent to the Ministry of Health and Care Services (HOD).

Final Appointment

The Ministry of Health and Care Services appoints the members of VKM. The appointment is made in consultation with the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.