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July 9, 2024
Ingrid Bakke, visiting researcher at InnoRenew CoE; Main area of research: emission of VOCs from wood building materials and impact on indoor air quality.
Growing up I lived in a small town in Norway called Hønefoss, and now I live just one hour away, in Oslo.
I have studied environmental analytical chemistry, and my motivation has always been to do my tiny part to minimize the harm we humans inflict on the planet.
I usually say the same to everyone, as I’m not sure precisely what my field is or who is included in it. I say that I analyze indoor air quality, and that I focus on wood buildings.
A typical workday for me starts with setting up some analysis in the lab, going for coffee while I wait for results and coming back to see that there are three faults in the instrument before trying again.
The hope of one day getting analytical instrument to work properly and producing some data, which is mostly exciting because it is rather rare.
The biggest challenge is definitely becoming friends with the analytical instrument, but the trick is to remain an optimist. And as in any relationship understanding and good communication is key.
I am very fascinated by arctic environmental research, as the arctic is our closest thing to land untouched by industry and the anthropocene and paints a picture of the extent of harm we have inflicted on nature. I’m also very fascinated by oceanography for similar reasons.
I couldn’t possibly mention all the pop cultural references that has formed my life, but anything by Haruki Murakami and Rihanna has at some point touched my heart.
I’m reading “Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig, which is a very interesting book so far. My favorite artist lately is Little Simz. And I recently watched the very strange but funny movie “Banshees of Inisherin”.
My first impression of Slovenia was that it’s a country with many different landscapes, nice and welcoming people, and a very difficult language.
I like the beautiful nature by the coast, the fresh vegetables, good food and wine, the burja wind, and there is not much I miss about Norway so far.
Somewhere in the olive fields on the top of Dobrava area, the view is wonderful!
Many things! Nature, good music, cakes, coffee, and good conversation.
My life guidance is the constant fear of becoming a boring and closed-minded person.
Trees and wood have always had a warm and comforting presence in my life, and I think I have favorite trees in all the places I have lived or visited.