Interdisciplinary Research Group at HSL/ISK and BFE/NFH
The ENCODE-research group connects and coordinates research initiatives at UiT that focus on possible, preferable, and probable futures. Specific attention is directed to conflicts that can develop in connection to technology-uses in such fields as resource extraction (including the extraction of data), education (including focus on AI), and cultural representation (in particular films and games). ENCODE aims at creating synergies between various networks and initiatives at UiT working on related issues and at facilitating the development of funding proposals directed at national and international bodies.
A regular research seminar facilitates continuous academic exchange on key theoretical and methodological issues, and provides opportunities for researchers, as well as PhD and MA students to present and receive feedback on their work.
A regular film series - CRAFT & ENCODE present ... - is arranged in cooperation with Verdensteatret Cinematek and serves the dissemination of research findings and initiatives.
The hub is coordinated by Holger Pötzsch, UiT Tromsø.
The ENCODE research group has a close cooperation with the CRAFT Research Lab at NFH/BFE coordinated by Melania Borit.



CRAFT & ENCODE present... is a series of filmscreenings arranged by the two research groups in cooperation with Verdensteatret Cinematek. Each semester we have three screening that in one way or another engage with visions of the future. Short intorduction before and time for q/a and discussions after every film.
The initiative is aimed at facilitaing the dissemination of research results from associated projects such as AGiC (NordForsk 2020-22), AFO-JIGG (RCN 2021-24), AI-EDU (2024-24) or Futures4Fish (RCN 2023-26), and at improving recruitment to relevant study programmes at BFE and HSL.
October 8, 2026: Aniara (Sweden/Denmark 2018)
September 17, 2026: Happyend (Japan 2024)
April 24, 2026: A Scanner Darkly (US 2006)
March 10, 2026: The Matrix (US & Australia 1999)
February 10, 2026: Johnny Mnemonic (Canada & US)
November 11, 2025: A Clockwork Orange (UK 1971)
October 28, 2025: Sleep Dealer (Mexico & US 2008)
September 16, 2025: Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis (Japan 2001)
April 22, 2025: Fritz Lang's Metropolis (Germany 1927)
March 18, 2025: Paprika (Japan 2006)
February 11, 2025: Gattaca (US 1997)
November 26, 2024: 2001: A Space Odyssey (US/UK 1968)
October 22, 2024: Children of Men (UK 2006)
September 10, 2024: White Plastic Sky (Hungary/Slovakia 2023)
May 21, 2024: I Am Mother (Australia 2019)
April 23, 2024: Alphaville (France 1965)
February 20, 2024: The Terminator (USA 1984)
November 29, 2023: Ghost in the Shell (Japan 1995)
November 1, 2023: Blade Runner 2049 (USA 2017)
September 20, 2023: Ex Machina (UK 2014)