Gurli Olsen

Gurli Olsen is an Associate Professor at the University of Agder's Department of Sociology and Social Work. Previously affiliated with the University of Stavanger (2015-2024), she brings professional experience from Norway's public sector including NAV (social services), municipal health care, and crisis centers. Her research focuses on activation policies and vulnerable youth in welfare systems, examining tensions between policy demands and relational social work practices.

• Doctoral thesis (2022): 'Spaces of opportunity in activation processes with young people'
• Ongoing research: Pilot project on coordinated service mapping for complex cases with municipal partners
• Teaching experience includes social work theory, methodology, and practical skill development courses

Research emphasizes marginalized youth's interactions with welfare systems, focusing on labor market activation processes, professional-client communication dynamics, and policy implementation challenges. Current affiliations include the Childhood and Society research group at UiA.