Birgitte Austgulen

Birgitte Austgulen serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University. Based at Stensberggata 26, 0170 Oslo (Office X519), she maintains active research and teaching roles with contact via birgitte.austgulen@oslomet.no, +47 672 36 527 (office), and +47 971 45 073 (mobile).

Her research interests include:

• Social Work methodologies
• Child welfare systems
• Social policy development
• Professional practices in child protection
• Religious community dynamics
• Family violence interventions

Her 2022 publication analyzing violence within closed religious communities demonstrates interdisciplinary focus across social work, psychology, and religious studies, emphasizing qualitative approaches to child abuse and religious trauma in Norwegian contexts.