Berit Ås
Encyclopedia
Berit Ås is a Norwegian politician, professor of social psychology
, and feminist. She was the first leader of the Socialist Left Party
(1975–1976) and served as a Member of Parliament
1973–1977. She was also a deputy member of parliament 1969–1973 (for the Norwegian Labour Party
) and 1977–1981 (for the Socialist Left Party). She articulated the Master suppression techniques
.
, where she was an Assistant Professor of Psychology 1969–1980, Associate Professor 1980–1991 and full Professor of Social Psychology from 1991 until she retired in 1994. She has been a visiting professor at the University of Missouri
(1967–68), Mount Saint Vincent University
(1983), Uppsala University
(1989), Saint Mary's University (Halifax)
(1997), and St. Scholastica's College
(1999).
. Her first political office was the municipal council in Asker
in 1967. Four years later, she led with Karla Skaare what was later known as the non-partisan "women's coup" in 1971, when women achieved majority representation in three of Norway's largest municipal assemblies. In Asker, this initiative was spearheaded by Berit Ås, Tove Billington Bye
, Marie Borge Refsum
and Kari Bjerke Andreassen. She was a deputy member of parliament for the Labour Party 1969–1973.
She was effectively expelled from the Labour Party during the 1972 EU debate, after which she became the first leader of the Socialist Left Party
. She served in the Norwegian parliament from 1973 to 1977, and led several political campaigns, including Women's International Strike for Peace in 1962, the women's movement against membership in the European Union
, and others. She was among the first to call for a formal risk assessment of offshore drilling
operations in the North Sea.
She also made important contributions to the feminist cause in Norway. She led efforts to establish the Feminist University in Norway in the 1980s, and formulated five Master suppression techniques
she claims are used against women in particular, though these may be used against other disadvantaged groups as well. She co-founded the research foundation Kvinneuniversitetet Norden in 2011.
In 1973, she stayed with John Lennon
and Yoko Ono
in their Manhattan apartment for a week, while participating at the Women's Conference. Lennon had become interested in meeting her after having read one of her speeches.
The Rachel Carson Prize was established spontaneously on her initiative in 1991.
, namely suggesting that they had been orchestrated by the United States government itself and speculating that the video images of the attacks had been digitally manipulated by means of data animation.
Social psychology
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. By this definition, scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation. The terms thoughts, feelings, and behaviors include all...
, and feminist. She was the first leader of the Socialist Left Party
Socialist Left Party (Norway)
The Socialist Left Party or SV, is a Norwegian left-wing political party. At one point one of the smallest parties in Parliament, it became the fourth-largest political party in Norway for the first time in the 2001 parliamentary election, and has been so ever since...
(1975–1976) and served as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
1973–1977. She was also a deputy member of parliament 1969–1973 (for the Norwegian Labour Party
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
) and 1977–1981 (for the Socialist Left Party). She articulated the Master suppression techniques
Master suppression techniques
The Master suppression techniques were a framework articulated in the late 1970s by the Norwegian social psychologist Berit Ås to describe five means by which, according to her, women are subjugated to in supposedly patriarchical Western societies...
.
Academic career
Ås' parents were teachers. Her mother and maternal grandmother were both politically active, and her father was an avid reader and inventor. She completed her university degree in 1953 and worked on issues related to smoking hazards, consumer protection, children's safety, and housing. She taught and conducted research on women's issues at the University of OsloUniversity of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, where she was an Assistant Professor of Psychology 1969–1980, Associate Professor 1980–1991 and full Professor of Social Psychology from 1991 until she retired in 1994. She has been a visiting professor at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
(1967–68), Mount Saint Vincent University
Mount Saint Vincent University
Mount Saint Vincent University is a university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was established in 1873 and is locally referred to as The Mount.-History:...
(1983), Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
(1989), Saint Mary's University (Halifax)
Saint Mary's University (Halifax)
Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. The school is best known for having nationally lead programs in Business, Astronomy and International Development Studies as well, one of the best football and Men's hockey programs in Canada .The campus is situated in Halifax's...
(1997), and St. Scholastica's College
St. Scholastica's College
St. Scholastica's College, Manila is a Catholic institution for women established in 1906 and managed by the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. It is located in 3.66 hectare lot in Malate in the city of Manila. It is bounded by Estrada Street on the north, P...
(1999).
Political career
Ås was for several years a member of the Norwegian Labour PartyNorwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
. Her first political office was the municipal council in Asker
Asker
Asker is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Viken traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Asker. The municipality is a suburb of Oslo, the national capital...
in 1967. Four years later, she led with Karla Skaare what was later known as the non-partisan "women's coup" in 1971, when women achieved majority representation in three of Norway's largest municipal assemblies. In Asker, this initiative was spearheaded by Berit Ås, Tove Billington Bye
Tove Billington Bye
Tove Billington Bye was a Norwegian politician for the Centre Party.She served as a deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament from Akershus during the terms 1973–1977 and 1977–1981....
, Marie Borge Refsum
Marie Borge Refsum
Marie Borge Refsum is a Norwegian politician, who served as a member of the Conservative Party.She served as a deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament from Akershus during the term 1973–1977....
and Kari Bjerke Andreassen. She was a deputy member of parliament for the Labour Party 1969–1973.
She was effectively expelled from the Labour Party during the 1972 EU debate, after which she became the first leader of the Socialist Left Party
Socialist Left Party (Norway)
The Socialist Left Party or SV, is a Norwegian left-wing political party. At one point one of the smallest parties in Parliament, it became the fourth-largest political party in Norway for the first time in the 2001 parliamentary election, and has been so ever since...
. She served in the Norwegian parliament from 1973 to 1977, and led several political campaigns, including Women's International Strike for Peace in 1962, the women's movement against membership in the European Union
Norway and the European Union
Norway is not a member state of the European Union , but is closely associated with the Union through its membership in the European Economic Area , in the context of being a European Free Trade Association member.-Trade:...
, and others. She was among the first to call for a formal risk assessment of offshore drilling
Offshore drilling
Offshore drilling refers to a mechanical process where a wellbore is drilled through the seabed. It is typically carried out in order to explore for and subsequently produce hydrocarbons which lie in rock formations beneath the seabed...
operations in the North Sea.
She also made important contributions to the feminist cause in Norway. She led efforts to establish the Feminist University in Norway in the 1980s, and formulated five Master suppression techniques
Master suppression techniques
The Master suppression techniques were a framework articulated in the late 1970s by the Norwegian social psychologist Berit Ås to describe five means by which, according to her, women are subjugated to in supposedly patriarchical Western societies...
she claims are used against women in particular, though these may be used against other disadvantaged groups as well. She co-founded the research foundation Kvinneuniversitetet Norden in 2011.
In 1973, she stayed with John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
in their Manhattan apartment for a week, while participating at the Women's Conference. Lennon had become interested in meeting her after having read one of her speeches.
Honours
- Honorary doctorate, University of CopenhagenUniversity of CopenhagenThe University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
- Honorary doctorate, Saint Mary's University (Halifax)Saint Mary's University (Halifax)Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. The school is best known for having nationally lead programs in Business, Astronomy and International Development Studies as well, one of the best football and Men's hockey programs in Canada .The campus is situated in Halifax's...
- Honorary doctorate, Uppsala UniversityUppsala UniversityUppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
- Knight First Class, Order of St. Olav, 1997
- Rachel Carson Prize, 1997
The Rachel Carson Prize was established spontaneously on her initiative in 1991.
Views on the September 11 attacks
In 2008, Ås has made headlines in Norway by promoting 9/11 conspiracy theories9/11 conspiracy theories
9/11 conspiracy theories are theories that disagree with the widely accepted account that the September 11 attacks were perpetrated solely by al-Qaeda. These theories arose because of what proponents of the conspiracy theories believe to be inconsistencies in the official conclusions or some...
, namely suggesting that they had been orchestrated by the United States government itself and speculating that the video images of the attacks had been digitally manipulated by means of data animation.
External links
- Compendium of speeches celebrating her birthday in 2003
- http://www.aftenposten.no/kul_und/litteratur/article2363730.ece