Aina A. Kane

Aina A. Kane is a Lecturer at the Department of Child Welfare and Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, with an additional affiliation at Nord University. She is actively engaged in research on child welfare, social services, and public administration, particularly focusing on the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV).

Research Interests: Her work centers on child welfare systems, legal compliance in social services, digitalization of public benefits, and the well-being of children and youth in the Arctic region. She emphasizes children's human rights, especially the right to an adequate standard of living, and examines how policies are implemented at the local level.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on systemic issues in welfare administration, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of research infrastructure such as the Arctic Youth Research Centre. Her work bridges academic research with practical social work applications.

Scientific Contributions:

• Investigation of legal and systemic errors in NAV
• Development of frameworks for youth well-being in the Arctic
• Analysis of digital governance and its impact on vulnerable populations
• Advocacy for rights-based approaches in social work practice

Advising and Grants: Aina A. Kane has led and participated in multiple research projects, including the completed project 'NAV offices capable of taking action and solving problems' and the active 'Arctic Youth Research Center', funded by the Research Council of Norway. While no formal advisees are listed, her leadership in collaborative research indicates mentorship and team coordination roles.

Labs and Teams: She is a key member of the Arctic Youth Research Center, a multidisciplinary research initiative involving over 25 participants from various institutions, focused on improving the lives of children and youth in northern regions through research, education, and policy engagement.