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Hilde Fiva Buzungu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy at Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Social Sciences. Her work bridges social anthropology, applied linguistics, and public policy, with a strong focus on language and communication in welfare services for minority language speakers. Her research interests include: Language discordance and interpreter-mediated communication in social work and healthcare Multilingualism and migration Professional practices in child welfare and public administration Interpreter training and quality assurance Human rights and minority inclusion Intersectionality in social services Buzungu's recent publications (2020–2024) reveal a consistent focus on the challenges of language access in public institutions such as NAV, child welfare, and hospitals. Her work critically examines how language barriers affect service delivery, professional decision-making, and equity. She investigates systemic issues in interpreter availability, quality, and integration, particularly during crises like the Ukrainian refugee influx. Her research combines ethnographic methods with policy analysis, emphasizing the 'space between' where meaning is negotiated across languages and cultures. She has contributed extensively to both academic and public discourse, publishing in journals like Nordic Social Work Research and Kritisk juss , as well as producing key reports for governmental bodies like Integrerings- og mangfoldsdirektoratet and Oslo University Hospital. Her book Language Discordant Social Work in a Multilingual World: The Space Between (2023) synthesizes her core themes. Buzungu actively disseminates her findings through public lectures, media engagement, and policy forums, advocating for improved language services in the Norwegian public sector. She is affiliated with the research group on Professional Qualification and Professional Practices in Social Work and Child Protection.

• Social Anthropology
• Interpreting and Interpreter-Mediated Communication
• Social Work
• +12 more

Ola Andres Erstad is a tenured Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Oslo , with over three decades of academic leadership and research excellence. Specializing in Digital Literacy , Educational Technology , and Learning Sciences , his work bridges formal/informal learning and explores the sociocultural impacts of digital platforms on education. Academic Tenure: Professor (2008–present), Visiting Professor (UC San Diego, 2010–2011) Leadership: Institute Director (2015–2020), National PhD School Leader (2012–2014) Research Themes include: Digital Competence: Analyzing consequences of digitalization on youth education Learning Lives: Tracking cross-contextual educational trajectories in Groruddalen Platformization: Investigating digital platforms' impact on pedagogical structures Recent Publications (2022–2025) focus on dialogic learning in polarized societies, digital family ecosystems , and multimodal literacy . His international collaborations span Portugal, Denmark, and the U.S., with projects funded by NFR , COST Actions , and Science Europe . Currently leading the PlatFams initiative, Erstad explores cross-generational digital integration.

• Digital Literacy
• Educational Technology
• Learning Sciences
• +2 more

Annechen Bahr Bugge is a sociologist and Researcher I at Consumption Research Norway (SIFO), Oslo Metropolitan University. Her work focuses on food culture, culinary heritage, and sustainable consumption patterns, with particular emphasis on Norwegian dietary traditions and their evolution from the 16th century to present day. PhD in Sociology (2005) from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Current leader of FoodStories project (2025-2028) examining Norwegian food heritage Previously led FoodLessons project (2021-2024) connecting culinary history with future food development Her research explores: dietary transitions, plant-based diets, food policy interventions, and the sociocultural dimensions of food consumption. She has published extensively on Norwegian food culture, including the book Fattigmenn, tilslørte bondepiker og rike riddere (2019) and upcoming Food Cultures of Norway: Cuisines, Customs, and Issues (2025, co-authored with Henry Notaker). Recent publications focus on: food heritage revitalization, sustainable diets, retail interventions for healthier choices, and digital marketing influences on youth consumption patterns. Her work combines historical analysis with contemporary food challenges to inform future sustainable food systems. For a complete overview of her research and publications, see her Cristin profile: Cristin Profile

• Sociology
• Consumer Behavior
• Food Culture
• +5 more

Bettina Sandgathe Husebø is a Professor and Head of the Center for Geriatric and Nursing Home Medicine at the Department of Global Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen (UiB). She also serves as Innovation Manager at IGS, UiB since 2019. Her extensive career spans clinical practice, research, and leadership roles in geriatric and palliative care. Dr. Husebø completed her medical education at the University of Bonn, Germany in 1988, followed by specialization in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care in 1995. Her Norwegian qualifications include Medical Specialization in Palliative Medicine (2012) and Nursing Home Medicine (2014) from UiB, along with a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry at UiB in 2008. She further enhanced her expertise with a Postgraduate Safety, Quality, Informatics and Leadership (SQIL) Program from Harvard University in 2021. Her research focuses on critical geriatric issues including pain assessment and management in dementia patients, behavioral disturbances in dementia, palliative care in nursing homes, and digital phenotyping applications for elderly care. She has pioneered work on the relationship between pain, agitation, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients, particularly through the COSMOS trial and LIVE@Home.Path study. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong emphasis on digital health solutions for dementia care, with particular focus on activity monitoring, pain assessment through technology, and community-based interventions for aging populations. Her work bridges clinical geriatrics, technology innovation, and patient-centered care models. Among her notable recognitions are the National Dementia Award by His Majesty King Harald of Norway (2022) and multiple awards for research excellence in pain management and palliative care. Her work has significantly influenced Norwegian healthcare policy regarding dementia care and end-of-life practices. As an educator, she lectures in English, German, and Norwegian on dementia, pain in dementia, innovation technologies for older adults, symptom management at end-of-life, systematic medication review, and advance care planning. She has received teaching awards including 'Teacher of the Year' from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at UiB. Dr. Husebø leads the Center for Geriatric and Nursing Home Medicine (SEFAS) and has been instrumental in establishing Norway's first palliative care ward in a nursing home. Her research group focuses on translating evidence into practice to improve quality of life for elderly patients, particularly those with dementia.

• Geriatric Medicine
• Nursing Home Medicine
• Palliative Care
• +6 more

Vidar Hepsø is a Professor at the Department of Computer Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His work bridges anthropology of science and technology with practical challenges in digitalization, energy transition, and remote operations. Research focuses on digital infrastructures, socio-technical systems, and human factors in oil and gas industries Active in NTNU Applied Information Technology and NTNU Energy Transition Initiative Publications emphasize open-source ecosystems, autonomous systems, and environmental monitoring His scholarly output spans computer-supported collaborative work, IT infrastructure governance, and risk-informed anomaly detection in subsea systems. He leads projects connecting digital innovation with offshore wind and petroleum geoscience.

• Anthropology of Science and Technology
• Computer Supported Collaborative Work
• Digitalization
• +9 more

Stian Sundell Torjussen is an Associate Professor at the University of Innlandet , affiliated with the Department of Social Sciences, Religion and Ethics within the Faculty of Education . His primary research interests focus on ancient Greek religion, contemporary Paganism, reception studies, and the role of religion in popular culture. He actively contributes to teacher education programs in religion, philosophy, and ethics. Dr. Torjussen leads the Research Group Formation, Values and Cultural Heritage and serves as the Subject Manager for "Classical religion" at the Great Norwegian Encyclopedia . His work bridges classical religious studies with modern cultural phenomena, such as analyzing ancient myths in video games (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons: Mythic Odysseys of Theros ) and exploring contemporary Hellenic polytheistic practices in North America. His publications span over 15 years, addressing topics like Orphic gold tablets, Etruscan tomb iconography, and the reception of classical motifs in modern media. Recent work includes studies on teacher education ethics and transnational research collaboration through the TRANSPEER project. Though no formal awards are listed, his extensive scholarly output underscores his academic influence in religious and classical studies. Dr. Torjussen’s advising and grants focus on fostering interdisciplinary research and pedagogical innovation. He collaborates internationally, evident in projects like EMERGE (a European university alliance). His academic presence extends to platforms like Cristin , Academia.edu , and ResearchGate .

• Ancient Greek Religion
• Contemporary Paganism
• Reception Studies
• +3 more

Alexander Refsum Jensenius is a Professor of Music Technology and Director of the RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion at the University of Oslo. He also leads the fourMs Lab and co-founded the MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity. His work bridges musicology, psychology, and technology, focusing on embodied music cognition, human motion analysis, and creative applications of AI. Notably, he pioneered research on air guitar motion and human micromotion through projects like the Oslo Standstill Database . Educated at the University of Oslo (BA in Music and Mathematics, MA in Musicology) and Chalmers University of Technology (MSc in Applied IT), Jensenius holds a PhD in Music Technology from UiO. He has held visiting researcher roles at UC Berkeley, McGill University, and KTH. Leadership roles include Department of Musicology Head (2013–2016) and Steering Committee Chair for the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME, 2011–2022). Research interests span music-related body motion, AI in creative contexts, and open research practices. Key contributions include the Music Moves and Motion Capture MOOCs, the Musical Gestures Toolbox software, and monographs like Sound Actions and Sonic Design . His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, with projects addressing ventilation systems' acoustic properties and cell culture vibrational effects. Awards include the European Open Data Champion recognition. He advocates for open science and maintains extensive digital archives of research materials, emphasizing institutional web pages as critical research infrastructure.

• Music Technology
• Music Psychology
• Embodied Music Cognition
• +5 more

Monika Abels is an Associate Professor at UiT The Arctic University of Norway , affiliated with the Child development research group. Her work focuses on cross-cultural child development, infant socialization, emotion regulation, and the impact of digital technology on parental responsiveness. Research Interests : Child development, cross-cultural parenting, emotion understanding, hunter-gatherer societies, and fieldwork ethics. Labs/Teams : Member of the Barns utvikling (Child Development) research group at UiT. Recent Research Trends : Her publications highlight comparative studies across Norway, Tanzania, India, and sub-Saharan Africa, examining infant sleep, parental phone use, triadic interactions, and cultural differences in hidden emotion understanding. Collaborative work with African communities (San, Hadza) explores regulatory and ethical fieldwork challenges. Email : m.abels@uit.no

• Child Development
• Parenting Practices
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• +5 more

Birgitte Skar is an Associate Professor and Collection Manager for the Stone Age and Bronze Age at the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History, NTNU Science Museum. Her research focuses on Mesolithic and Neolithic adaptations, biomolecular studies, submerged landscapes, and cultural heritage protection. She leads the SCAPES project (2025-2028), funded by RCN FRIPRO, exploring social complexity through biomolecular data. Her work integrates archaeology with genetics and isotopic analysis, addressing topics such as migration patterns, dietary practices, and social stratification in prehistoric societies. Key contributions include studies on Scandinavian Neolithic pathogens, Viking Age genetic diversity, and Mesolithic mobility in Fennoscandia. She advises numerous master’s students and collaborates with institutions like the University of Bergen and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature and Cell , alongside museum exhibitions and policy-oriented reports on heritage management. Her research often bridges natural sciences and humanities, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human-environment interactions.

• Archaeology
• Mesolithic Studies
• Biomolecular Analysis
• +4 more

Karen V. Lykke is a Professor at the Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM) at the University of Oslo. She has established herself as a leading scholar in the interdisciplinary field of food studies, environmental humanities, and cultural history, with a particular focus on the cultural and historical dimensions of food systems and human-animal relationships. Her academic background includes a PhD in Cultural History from the University of Oslo (2009), postgraduate studies in Environmental History at St. Andrews University as a Chevening scholar (2001-2002), an M.Phil. in Ethnology from the University of Oslo (2000), and a degree as an Agronomist from the Oslo Agricultural Academy (1992). Professor Lykke's research spans several interconnected areas: food and sustainability, regenerative agriculture and soil health, the historical and cultural dimensions of food, meat consumption across historical periods, landscape studies as arenas for nature use and recreation, and the social and cultural aspects of hunting and fishing. Her work frequently examines how cultural narratives shape our interactions with nature and food systems, with particular attention to the politics of meat production and consumption. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong thematic focus on meat cultures, examining historical changes in meat production, the politics of meat promotion, and the cultural dimensions of slaughter practices. She also explores broader environmental themes including landscape heritage, the relationship between nature and culture, and ideas about the 'good life' in relation to environmental sustainability. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges humanities perspectives with environmental concerns, making significant contributions to understanding sustainable food systems. Norwegian Chevening scholar 2001/2002 at University of St. Andrews Professor Lykke has held various leadership positions including board member of the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT-Oslo) and board member for academically employed staff at the Centre for Development and the Environment. She is actively involved in several research projects including RegenRegion (focused on soil health and regenerative agriculture), 'Making Meat a Mystery' (examining historical changes in our relationship with food animals), and research on sustainability and the concept of the 'good life.' She teaches multiple courses at the University of Oslo including SUM4035 - Past, present and future meat cultures in a local and global context, SUM4027 - Food, health and sustainability, SUM4024 - Humanist Perspectives on the Environment, SUM4100 - Research Methods and Project Design, and SUM4200 - Key Issues in Development and Environment.

• Food and sustainability
• Regenerative agriculture and soil health
• Historical and cultural dimensions of food
• +6 more

Debarun Sarkar is a Research Fellow affiliated with the Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies at the University of Bergen. He works on the ALGOFOLK project, examining sociotechnical systems and material-semiotic configurations. His research spans digital culture, AI ethics, urban studies, and cultural studies, with a focus on India and the Global South. Research Interests: Debarun focuses on the intersections between algorithms and folklore, exploring how digital technologies shape labor, creativity, and social structures. He critically analyzes blockchain adoption in India, AI auditing frameworks, and the sociopolitical implications of smart/green city initiatives. His cultural studies work includes examining heavy metal subcultures and hip-hop’s role in capitalist realism. Projects: He was co-PI for Audit4SG (2023), funded by the Notre Dame-IBM Technology Ethics Lab, and contributed to a Learning Analytics in Higher Education project (2022-24). Current work involves the ALGOFOLK project (Research Council of Norway and Trond Mohn Foundation funding). Education: PhD in Sociology from the University of Mumbai, where he served as a UGC Junior/Senior Research Fellow. His doctoral work engaged with urban scale debates in New Town, West Bengal.

• Digital Humanities
• AI Ethics
• Cultural Studies
• +7 more

Kåre Moen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo. His primary research interests include qualitative research methods, medical anthropology, global health, and HIV with a focus on issues of gender, sexuality, and homosexuality. He holds a PhD in Community Medicine from the University of Oslo, a Master of Public Health from UCLA, and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Bergen. His work emphasizes vulnerable populations such as female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who inject drugs, particularly in East African contexts like Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Recent studies include the efficacy of mHealth interventions for HIV prevention, socio-structural barriers to healthcare access, and the sociocultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS. Key collaborations: Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (Tanzania), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), and the Center for Social Research in Health (Australia). Grants/Projects: BIO (Biomedicalization from the Inside Out), TRUST (Transdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Health), and DOCEHTA (Strengthened Doctoral Education for Health in Tanzania). Research highlights include conceptual frameworks for biomedical HIV prevention and participatory design of digital health tools targeting at-risk groups. His work frequently employs qualitative methodologies to explore structural inequalities and healthcare system challenges in low-resource settings.

• Qualitative research methods
• Medical anthropology
• Global health
• +5 more

Malene Karensdatter Brandshaug is a Research Fellow at Oslo Metropolitan University's Faculty of Education and International Studies, affiliated with the Department of International Studies and Interpreting’s Development Studies division. Her current postdoctoral project, Rights of Waters , explores human-environment relations through ethnographic research in Peru and Norway. She contributes to the Riverine Rights project examining legal innovations granting rivers personhood. Education includes a PhD from Gothenburg University's School of Global Studies and an MA from the University of Oslo's Department of Social Anthropology. Her fieldwork spans over a decade with small-scale Andean farmers and current research on Norwegian nature protection. Research focuses on water practices, environmental change, and power dynamics through interdisciplinary lenses including political ecology, STS, and feminist materialism. Key themes include decoloniality, hydrosocial relations, and socio-legal frameworks shaping human-nature interactions. Recent work interrogates water governance challenges in Peru’s highlands and Norway’s emerging legal recognition of natural entities. She examines how infrastructure projects, climate change, and indigenous knowledge intersect with state policies. Labs/Teams: Active member of the Riverine Rights research group at OsloMet, collaborating across anthropology, law, and environmental science disciplines.

• Social Anthropology
• Environmental Studies
• Political Ecology
• +7 more

Faltin Karlsen is a Professor and Pro-Dean at the School of Communication, Leadership and Marketing at Kristiania University of Applied Sciences. His work focuses on media studies, game research, and digital culture, with particular emphasis on ethical implications of digital media, gaming controversies, and digital detox practices. He has contributed extensively to understanding the societal impact of online gaming, media consumption patterns, and the interplay between technology and human behavior. His research interests span digital culture, media ethics, and the psychological and sociological dimensions of gaming. Notable themes include the disconnection movement, dark design patterns in dating apps, and the ethical challenges of game monetization. He has also analyzed historical moral panics around games and their representation in media. Recent publications highlight trends in digital detox practices, the paradoxes of disconnection, and critical discourse analysis of digital platforms. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical studies, addressing topics such as online dating dynamics, productivity tools, and the cultural significance of gaming in modern society. While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, his contributions to media and game studies have shaped academic discourse on digital media’s societal role. He advises on research projects and engages in interdisciplinary collaborations, reflecting his commitment to understanding technology’s multifaceted impact.

• Media Studies
• Game Research
• Digital Culture
• +6 more

Jon Vidar Sigurdsson is a Professor and Head of Department in the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History at the University of Oslo, where he has served since September 2006 and assumed departmental leadership in January 2021. His distinguished career includes previous appointments as Associate Professor at both the University of Bergen (1991-1994) and the University of Oslo (1995 onwards), and Director of the Centre for Viking and Medieval Studies (2002-2004). His educational background features a BA in history and Icelandic literature from the University of Iceland (1984), a Cand. Philol from the University of Bergen (1987), and a PhD from the University of Bergen (1993). Prior to his academic career, he worked at the Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Bergen. Professor Sigurdsson's research focuses on Viking Age and Medieval Scandinavian societies, with particular expertise in political culture, Old Norse religion, Christianization processes, church history, saga literature, social structures, and gender studies. His current major project examines Nordic 'civil wars' in the High Middle Ages through cross-disciplinary and comparative analysis. His extensive publication record reveals consistent scholarly focus on Icelandic political structures, chieftaincy systems, and religious transformations, with recent work expanding into comparative civil war studies, saint cults, and medieval standardization processes. His research demonstrates methodological sophistication through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge historical analysis with archaeological, anthropological, and literary perspectives. Major scholarly contributions include 'Chieftains and Power in the Icelandic Commonwealth' (1999) 'Den vennlige vikingen. Vennskapets makt i Norge og på Island ca. 900-1300' (2010) Co-edited volumes including 'Medieval and Modern Civil Wars' (2021) Leadership of the 'Nordic Elites in Transformation' research series As department head, he oversees academic programs and research initiatives that position the department as a leading center for Nordic historical studies. His scholarly influence extends through numerous PhD supervisions, editorial board memberships, and international collaborations that have shaped contemporary understanding of medieval Scandinavian societies.

• Viking Age
• Political culture
• Middle Ages
• +6 more