A little embarrassing for an introverted academic to stand there and be praised by media people.
Ole-Andreas Elvik Næss
‘I am most interested in why things are the way they are’
He researches tax, the Government Pension Fund Global and green transition, but is more curious than certain. In August, Ole-Andreas Elvik Næss returns to NHH.
Ole-Andreas Elvik Næss recently received an award for outstanding research communication.
Questions, rather than firm answers, are his approach. Also, in debates on tax.
Privileged
`I feel very privileged as a researcher. That is why I am concerned that my research should also be useful and relevant to Norwegian politics. ´
That is also why Ole-Andreas Elvik Næss works on questions where the answers are not given.
In August last year, the 36-year-old accepted a research position at the University of Bergen. He is now returning to NHH, where he has previously been a student, PhD candidate and researcher. He defended his PhD in 2020.
Over the past year, Elvik Næss has become a father of three and submitted an unusually large number of scientific articles to leading international journals. In August, he will start as an associate professor at NHH’s Department of Finance.
`Ole-Andreas is a strong researcher, a skilled lecturer and a socially engaged person. We are very pleased that he is joining us. He will be an important addition to our group,says Aksel Mjøs, Head of the Department of Finance.
The Tax Commission
Before Christmas, he also took on a role closely linked to his interest in tax and public policy: He was appointed as a member of the Tax Commission.
Elvik Næss has contributed to a reform intended to provide Norwegian businesses with competitive tax conditions over time. The commission is due to submit its work in June.
`Fantastic fun, ‘says Elvik Næss.
On tax debates, he says:
`Although it may seem as if there is a great deal of disagreement among researchers on tax, there is also a very high degree of agreement. We have built up a knowledge base through several hundred years of economic research. Economists agree on much of it. Being able to help communicate this to politicians and others who are not economists is very rewarding. ´
In the spirit of Sjur Holsen
But there is something else that is also close to his heart: communication. When he received the Sjur Holsen Memorial Award a few weeks ago, he was very surprised. The award of NOK 100,000 is intended to stimulate knowledge-based, diverse and informed public debate.
I do not have many strong convictions, either politically or academically.
Ole-Andreas Elvik Næss
`It was great fun, but a little embarrassing for an introverted academic to stand there and be praised by media people. But it was very nice. ´
`The jury’s statement says, among other things, that you ask questions rather than provide firm answers. Is that just the way you are? ´
`I think I have probably always been very curious. It is linked to the question: Why is it like this? That is why I became a researcher. I do not have many strong convictions, either politically or academically, as a starting point. But I really enjoy finding things out and understanding why something is the way it is. ´
This is also why he finds the debate on wealth tax academically interesting.
`It is an open question, and we do not necessarily have clear answers yet. Then it becomes interesting to think about what we can agree on, and whether we can find out more. It is not the case that one side is necessarily right. That is precisely why this is exciting. ´
Inspired by Victor Norman
Elvik Næss began studying at NHH in 2011.
`Already then, I found it very inspiring to sit in Aud Max and listen to lecturers such as Victor Norman and others. Gradually, I became fond of both research and teaching. ´
NHH has strong academic environments in several of the areas I work on.
Ole-Andreas Elvik Næss
Now he is pleased to be returning.
`NHH is a very good place to be academically. I am broadly oriented, with interests in finance, tax and economic experiments. NHH has strong academic environments in several of the areas I work on. That makes it very interesting to return. ´
`You are 36 and have a strong publication record. Is promotion to full professor the next goal? ´
`Yes, absolutely! ´