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Anniken Sørlie serves as an Associate Professor of Law at the Department of Social Sciences within the Faculty of Social Sciences at Oslo Metropolitan University. Her academic career spans multiple institutions including the University of Oslo and Østfold University College, with expertise in human rights law, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations. Sørlie holds leadership roles in professional organizations including JURK – Legal Advice for Women and The European Commission on Sexual Orientation Law (ECSOL), where she contributes to shaping legal frameworks for gender and sexual diversity in Norway and internationally. Doctorate in Law, University of Oslo (2018) - Thesis: "The Right to Gender Identity: A Grounded Life Cycle Perspective" Master's Degree in Law, University of Oslo (2012) Bachelor's Degree in European and American Studies, University of Oslo (2009) Professor Sørlie's research primarily focuses on the legal rights of LGBT individuals in Norway, with special emphasis on transgender rights and the intersection of gender identity with legal frameworks. Her work critically examines how laws impact people in vulnerable situations, particularly regarding privacy rights, protection against discrimination, and access to healthcare. She has made significant contributions to understanding compensation mechanisms for victims of violence following extreme events and the legal aspects of welfare benefits. Her scholarship bridges theoretical legal analysis with practical implications for policy development and social justice initiatives. Sørlie's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on gender identity, transgender rights, and inclusive legal frameworks. Her work spans children's rights, elderly care, workplace inclusion, and reproductive justice, revealing how cisnormative structures within legal systems create barriers for transgender individuals. The publications show a progression from foundational legal analysis toward practical interventions for creating more inclusive societies, with increasing attention to intersectional approaches that consider how gender identity intersects with other aspects of identity and social position. His Majesty the King's Gold Medal (2019) for doctoral thesis "The Right to Gender Identity: A Grounded Life Cycle Perspective" As an educator, Sørlie teaches human rights, administrative law, and welfare law at both bachelor's and master's levels, with specific focus on children's rights, social security, and health law. She serves as an examiner at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Law and other educational institutions, contributing to the development of future legal professionals. Her external engagements include board membership with JURK – Legal Advice for Women, active participation in the European Commission on Sexual Orientation Law, and previous service on Norway's Equality and Discrimination Board, demonstrating her commitment to applying academic expertise to real-world legal challenges. Sørlie participates in the "Living conditions, health, work and social inequality" research group at OsloMet, contributing to interdisciplinary work that connects legal scholarship with broader social science perspectives. Her involvement in projects like "LAW22JULY: RIPPLES" demonstrates her engagement with research teams addressing the legal aftermath of significant societal events. She collaborates with researchers across institutions including the University of Oslo and Oslo Pride to advance understanding of transgender experiences in Norwegian society.

• LGBT Rights
• Transgender Rights
• Human Rights Law
• +5 more

Lise Rakner is a Professor of political science at the University of Bergen's Department of Government , with an adjunct position at the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI). Her research focuses on democratization, autocratization, human rights, electoral politics, and political economy in Africa. She leads major projects like Breaking BAD: Understanding Backlash Against Democracy in Africa (RCN-funded) and Autocratization Dynamics: Innovations in Research-Embedded Learning (INPART). She also heads the Zambia study in the Political determinants of sexual and reproductive health in Africa (Globvac-funded). Education & Teaching: She teaches courses on elections, comparative politics, and African governance at the University of Bergen. Notable courses include Sampol 315: Elections and Representation and Understanding Backlash Against Democracy . Research Interests: Her work addresses democratic backsliding, legal autocratization, taxation policy, and LGBT rights activism. Key projects include analyzing Zimbabwe's civil society resistance and Zambia's electoral legal reforms. Publications & Grants: Over 100 publications since 2003, including books like Democratic Backsliding in Africa? (Oxford UP, 2023). She has secured significant grants from RCN, GLOBVAC, and international agencies. Her research spans empirical studies on African governance, tax reforms, and contentious politics. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (TeLEd) research group and contributes to initiatives like Decolonizing Epistemologies under NORHED II. Her work bridges academia and policy, influencing governance assessments for international donors.

• Democratization and Autocratization
• Human Rights
• Electoral Politics
• +7 more

Mikhail Gradovski is a Professor of Social Pedagogy at the University of Stavanger, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Social Sciences. His academic work centers on dialogic and Bakhtinian pedagogy, with a strong emphasis on ethical, philosophical, and practical dimensions of education and supervision. University: University of Stavanger School: Faculty of Social Sciences Department: Department of Social Sciences Position: Professor of Social Pedagogy Email: mikhail.gradovski@uis.no Room: KA A-233 Gradovski's research interests include dialogic pedagogy, early childhood education, doctoral supervision, ethics in social work, and transformative knowledge societies. His work is deeply influenced by Mikhail Bakhtin’s concepts of dialogue, chronotope, and polyphony. He explores how these ideas inform pedagogical practices, supervision, and ethical decision-making in educational and social contexts. The recent articles and publications of Mikhail Gradovski reveal a consistent engagement with dialogic theory, supervision ethics, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His work spans philosophy of education, early childhood development, and social work, often integrating Bakhtinian concepts with practical educational challenges. There is a clear trend toward international collaboration, particularly with scholars in New Zealand, Finland, and Russia, and a growing focus on transformative and transdisciplinary research methodologies. While no formal scientific awards are listed in the provided text, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals and books with publishers like Springer Nature and Palgrave Macmillan reflects significant scholarly recognition. Gradovski is actively involved in advising and supervising doctoral candidates, having led supervisor development courses and conducted research on PhD supervision. He has contributed to national and international conferences on doctoral education and supervision. His work often addresses ethical dilemmas and interprofessional collaboration, particularly in social work and reintegration after incarceration. He is associated with research projects such as the ISPAS project on interprofessional collaboration and has contributed to book series on the first 1000 days of early childhood. His public engagement includes commentary on academic freedom and participation in international dialogic research initiatives.

• Dialogic Pedagogy
• Social Pedagogy
• Early Childhood Education
• +7 more

Tone Hellesund is a Professor in Cultural Studies at the University of Bergen's Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion. Her research focuses on queer history, gender studies, and cultural history, with particular attention to LGBTQ+ rights and intimate citizenship in Europe. She has published extensively on topics such as 19th-century Norwegian women’s lives, same-sex relationships, and the intersection of social policy and queer identities. Key contributions include co-editing Queer Local History (2022) and authoring articles on topics like the New Women's Movement and heteronormativity. She has supervised doctoral candidates, including Dunja Blazevic, and has engaged in interdisciplinary projects examining queer methodologies and European social policies. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary sociological inquiry, emphasizing marginalized voices in cultural narratives.

• Queer History
• Gender Studies
• Cultural History
• +4 more

Randi Gressgård is a Professor at the Centre for Women's and Gender Research (SKOK) at the University of Bergen , with additional affiliation to the International Migration and Ethnic Relations (IMER) research unit. Her work bridges sociology, political theory, and gender studies, focusing on pressing contemporary issues of identity, power, and governance. Research Interests: Her scholarship centers on gender and sexuality , migration and minorities , and urban security and governance . Thematically, she explores multiculturalism, postcolonialism, nationalism, racism, East-West geopolitics, and the politics of recognition. Her work critically examines how categories like race, gender, and sexuality are instrumentalized in political discourse and urban policy. She has made significant contributions to debates on intersectionality, resilience, necropolitics, and microaggressions in academic life. Recent Research Trends: Her most recent publications (2020–2023) analyze the racialized dimensions of urban resilience, the politicization of sexuality in Eastern Europe, and shifting notions of vulnerability in Swedish prevention policy. A recurring theme is the critique of liberal tolerance and the uncovering of hidden power mechanisms in governance and identity politics. Her work often engages with critical theorists like Foucault, Mbembe, and Kögler. Public Engagement: Gressgård is actively involved in public discourse through media interviews, opinion pieces, and panel discussions on topics such as cancel culture, LGBT+ rights, academic freedom, and gender identity. She has participated in events like the NORNDiP Conference, Christie Conference, and NORA Conference, and has contributed to public understanding during Pride and Transgender Awareness Week. Research Leadership: She is a member of the Egalitarian Futures Research Group (FUTURES) and SkeivForsk , and co-edits special journal issues on topics like Struggles over Europe and Planning for Pluralism in Nordic Cities . She leads or collaborates on projects examining urban resilience in the context of migration.

• Gender Studies
• Sexuality Studies
• Migration and Minorities
• +12 more

Deniz Akin is a Senior Researcher at the Eastern Norway Research Institute (Østlandsforskning), affiliated with Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. She holds a PhD in Gender Studies from NTNU (2017) and was a postdoctoral fellow at NTNU as part of the 'Sharing Neighborhoods' project. Her work bridges migration studies, gender equality, and queer theory, with a focus on asylum policies, LGBTQ+ rights, and the sharing economy. Education: PhD in Gender Studies (NTNU, 2017); Dissertation: Queer Challenges to Norwegian Immigration Policies . Research emphasizes legal and cultural barriers faced by queer asylum seekers, intersectionality in intimate partner violence, and urban sustainability through sharing economy practices. Key Projects: 'Health and Life Quality Among Queers in Inland Norway' 'The Lighthouse Effect' (Rainbow Beacon Impact) TERA (Transnational Equality Research Alliance) Her publications analyze queer asylum processes, neighborhood-level sharing economies, and intersections of gender, sexuality, and migration. Current research includes LGBTQ+ health disparities and policy advocacy in rural regions.

• Gender Studies
• Migration Studies
• Diversity and Inclusion
• +3 more