Grødeland is a professor at the Institute of Clinical Medicine at UiO and is recognized as one of Norway's leading experts on vaccines, focusing on the development, effectiveness, potential limitations, and side effects of vaccines. An engaged communicator, she actively participates in public debates. For her contributions, she is honoured with the UiO Dissemination Award for 2025.
"I am grateful for this award. Universities play a crucial role in public dissemination, which is vital for a democratic debate—one that should be based on facts and diverse professional perspectives," she explains.
“The award highlights the importance of dissemination as an aspect of the university's societal mission, reinforcing its commitment to acknowledging and supporting this crucial aspect of academia”, she says.
Building trust through credibility and expertise
The University Board awards prizes to academic staff every year for outstanding efforts and results. They commended Grødeland for her ability to explain complex vaccine-related matters in an understandable and credible manner, which fosters public confidence in different vaccines. She has engaged in heated debates, using her extensive expertise and research as a foundation to counter vaccine scepticism and conspiracy theories credibly. As a result, she has managed to redirect the public discussion positively.
The board also emphasized her consistent promotion of the University of Oslo and the Institute of Clinical Medicine throughout her communication work, establishing the university as a key knowledge provider for vaccine information.
The pandemic created an urgent need for reliable vaccine information
Grødeland gained significant public recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, playing a crucial role in helping authorities implement effective preventive measures grounded in research-based knowledge.
“I have always believed it essential to communicate information and viewpoints about vaccines that might otherwise go unheard," she reflects on her commitment to communicating her research.
"The pandemic intensified that urgency; there was a genuine need to share information and perspectives on my work during that time," she asserts.
Encouraging greater researcher participation in public discourse
Considering current global circumstances, she believes that sharing fact-based information is more important than ever.
"There is a greater uncertainty in how people relate to information from authorities who may not always adhere to scientific knowledge," she explains, criticizing the situation in the United States as a clear illustration of this.
Grødeland hopes to see more researchers engage in societal debates:
"We have a responsibility to contribute knowledge, ask questions, and provide perspectives. I think dissemination also helps society recognize the value of universities, not just the innovations and practical knowledge we produce."
She expresses a deep commitment to academic freedom, stating it as her reason for maintaining a clear voice.
“It’s important that we researchers convey exactly what we believe based on the facts and knowledge we observe, and that we are not afraid in doing so,” she asserts.
The world is not always black-and-white
Grødeland emphasizes the need to nuance the public discourse surrounding vaccines, stating, “I take pride in highlighting that the world is not always black and white. It cannot always be summed up in three main points.”
She stresses the importance of nuance and critical perspectives as essential tasks for researchers—pivotal for fostering trust in academia and societal institutions.
"One of the things we need going forward is trust in professionals and authorities. It is necessary to address major societal challenges. To achieve this, people must see themselves reflected in what you communicate," says Grødeland, providing examples from her field.
"Vaccines are tremendous, and super important. They save millions of lives every year. But vaccines are not without side effects. And vaccines should only be used when it is truly necessary, and you have a valid reason for it. Underplaying that vaccines can, in some rare instances, cause side effects can erode trust among a population that has experienced, either personally or through others, that this is the case."
Many people may also experience receiving a vaccine, such as for influenza, yet still get sick afterward.
"If you then tell people that the vaccine protects you a 100 percent against the disease or against contracting the virus, it does not align with what people actually feel and encounter in reality. This also leads to a loss of trust," she points out.
Customized vaccination for diverse populations
In her research, Grødeland is particularly focused on understanding varying immune responses and how best to protect different populations against new viruses. Our risk of new viruses isn’t evenly distributed across the population. It is influenced by factors like age, health status, and genetics.
"I am trying to understand what type of immune response would provide the best possible protection against different viruses in various segments of the population," she says, continuing:
"What is actually needed in different age groups and in various parts of the population to achieve the best possible protection? What types of immune responses? That is what I find most interesting."
Her goal is to enable the customization of vaccines for different demographic groups in the future.
“We’re working on developing vaccines that provide the best possible protection, tailored for elderly individuals, those with obesity, and children, ensuring that everyone receives the type of protection suited to their immune response and health condition,” she emphasizes.
An advocate for academic freedom
She explains that it is curiosity that drives her and that she wants to be remembered as an advocate for academic freedom.
"Ideally, I want to be someone who expands the realm of possibilities for what people can do, think, and speak. Someone who promotes greater freedom, both in terms of research topics and in what is possible in public debate," she says.
Grødeland believes that fostering a knowledge-based dialogue is crucial in today's society, asserting,
“It’s vital to recognize that researchers can have sound arguments yet arrive at different conclusions based on interpretations of the underlying evidence.”
She argues that there is no singular correct answer when facing significant societal challenges like managing a pandemic.
“Engaging in discussions about how to interpret facts and apply knowledge in practice is tremendously important for democracy and for the role of universities in its development and preservation,” she says.
Complementary forms of communication
In addition to her media appearances, Grødeland has actively contributed through articles and her podcast, "Vaksinepodden", emphasizing the importance of diverse communication platforms.
“Questions from journalists are crucial for public enlightenment, but they often don’t allow sufficient time or space to delve deeply or nuance the issues,” she notes.
She values having a space to elaborate, clarify, and explain her work beyond the brief messages conveyed in media.
“I would find it very challenging if I only communicated through short media messages. Both through the op-eds I’ve co-written and the podcast, we have more time to convey the intricacies and breadth of the topic to those interested.”
Grødeland finds inspiration in conversations with individuals holding diverse perspectives.
“The podcast allows for discussions at a broader level than we typically engage in as researchers, helping to reduce tunnel vision and offering new viewpoints. Plus, doing the podcast it’s simply very enjoyable,” she concludes.
The Faculty of Medicine congratulates
"It is a great pleasure for me to congratulate Professor Gunnveig Grødeland from the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Head of the Centre for Pandemics and One-Health Research (P1H) at Sustainit on receiving this well-deserved and prestigious award," says Dean Hanne Flinstad Harbo.
"Grødeland is regarded as one of Norway's foremost experts on vaccines. She is an exceptionally skilled and active communicator with considerable expertise, effectively conveying research-based knowledge about vaccines to the public and authorities in an exemplary manner. She has also demonstrated that our researchers are vital knowledge providers, even in times of crisis. We look forward to following the important work of Grødeland and her colleagues in the years to come," Harbo adds.
About the University Board Awards
The University of Oslo annually acknowledges achievements in research, education, dissemination, and innovation through five awards.
The awards aim to stimulate increased activity and inspire the academic communities at the university. Each winner receives 250,000 NOK and a work of art.
Contact
- Gunnveig Grødeland
- Research group Influenza and adaptive immunity
- Centre for Pandemics and One-Health Research
Read more