Anne Brita Thorød

Anne Brita Thorød is an Associate Professor at the University of Agder, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Psychosocial Health. She coordinates further education in psychosocial work with children and youth linked to the master's program in Mental Health Work. Her academic and practical expertise lies at the intersection of social work, child welfare, and mental health.

Her research interests include:

• Child poverty and living conditions
• Mental health and psychosocial interventions
• Anthrozoology and animal-assisted interventions
• Social exclusion and social capital
• Creative forms of therapy

Her recent publications reflect a strong thematic focus on economic hardship, family coping strategies, and children’s lived experiences of poverty. She integrates theoretical frameworks like critical realism with practical applications in social services. Her work in anthrozoology highlights innovative, non-traditional therapeutic approaches involving human-animal interactions.

Key scientific contributions include publications in journals such as Nordic Social Work Research and Child Indicators Research, as well as edited volumes on mental health and anthrozoology. She actively disseminates research through public lectures and conferences on child poverty, youth mental health, and social inequality.

She is affiliated with several research groups:

• Children's upbringing and living conditions
• Anthrozoology – animal-assisted interventions
• Close by – research on and with Jegersberg farm
• Collaboration Against Child Poverty (SAMBA)

Anne Brita Thorød holds a Cand.polit in social work and has extensive practical experience from correctional services, child protection, psychiatry, and substance abuse. She previously worked as a part-time research assistant at NOVA (Norwegian Social Research) from 2003 to 2005 before joining the University of Agder in 2007, where she continues her academic and research activities.