Øystein Djupedal held the position of member of Parliament in Norway for sixteen years and was a former Minister of Higher Education and Research. For six years he served as å Governor of Aust Agder and three years thereafter was appointed as a senior adviser to the Rector of University of Agder. As of March 2019 he shall take up his new position as Regional CEO of Husbanken. Øystein is also the founder and head of the program committee for Arendalsuka. He is also the leader of several boards in culture and business amongst which are IVRE AS, Det Andre Teater, Næs Jernverksmuseum and Falstadsenteret. He has also held the position of Vice chairman of Sosialistisk Venstreparti (SV) for 10 years.