Helle Karina Johansen

Helle K. Johansen is a Research assistant at Center for Research on Discretion and Paternalism. She holds a Master’s Degree in Comparative Politics from the University of Bergen.

Helle has previously worked as a seminar teacher at the Department of Comparative Politics. She has completed an internship with “Ungt Entreprenørskap Vestland“, and has done freelance work in media consultation.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I am working as a coder on the BARN-NEMND project. This is interesting, and I get to use my analytic skills every day. I also help with other scientific work at the center, if necessary.

What is your background?

I hold both a bachelor and a master’s degree in Comparative Politics from the University of Bergen. I have lead seminar groups over several semesters, where I have been teaching BA-students. I also have experience as a journalist and have done some press-related work. Otherwise, I have been active in the student-theater group, and I have recently joined “Fyllingsdalen teater`s” acting school for adults.

If you had to choose a different field, what would it be?

I have always dreamt of being a philanthropist. And if I get filthy rich at one point, I will quit my job and follow that dream!

Is there a TV-show you are binging?

My second life is happening as an intern at Seattle Greys Memorial Hospital, over and over again. It is like meditation, and a shelter from reality. I also like to profile criminals with the behavior analysis unit in the FBI if I have some spare time!

What are you listening to these days?

I am listening to “The seven sisters” series on Storytell. After almost two decades of mocking all genres except Nordic noir, I am expanding my horizons. When it comes to music, its my daughters who run the show, and the two most listened songs on my Spotify right now are “Bam bam ding ding ding” and “Æsj, bæsj, promp og fis”. Oh, the joys of motherhood!

If you were prime minister for a day, what would you do?

Oh – that is a long list! Must get up early that day! First, I would have made kindergarten and SFO free for all kids and made room in the budget for more resources for mental help to kids and young adults. To finance that I would also make it a priority of the government to catch and punish white-collar criminals who are hiding money from taxation! At the end of that day, I would visit the King, take a cup of coffee, and just have a chat with him.

Your friend sets you up on a blind date with someone famous – who do you hope it is?

Tom McRae – my favorite, depressed, dark minded musician. We could share a bottle of red wine and he could sing and play guitar for me. Then I could give him a hug and tell him that everything is going to be all right. Is Severus Snape an alternative? Then I will go on a date with him! Or Kiera Knightly! How many dates can I have?

What’s on your nightstand?

Tons of children`s book. And the Barack Obama biography, which I am reading to my five-year-old daughter. The life and stories of the American presidents are so underteached in kindergarten these days, don’t you think?