Borgunn Ytterhus

Borgunn Ytterhus is a Professor in Health Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Department of Community Medicine and Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine & Health Science. He holds a Master's in Sociology (1995), a PhD in Sociology (2000), and training as a registered nurse (1983) and postgraduate in elderly care (1990). His research focuses on social inclusion/exclusion, disability studies, and health services for marginalized groups, including disabled children and refugees. He leads projects like 'Silent Space Speech' and collaborates on initiatives like FAMREUN (Family Reunification and Unaccompanied Refugee Minors).

Education includes a Master’s in Sociology (NTNU, 1995) and a PhD in Sociology (NTNU, 2000). Clinical experience spans orthopedic, pediatric, and elderly care. He has held professorial competencies in Early Childhood Special Education (2008) and Health Science (2009).

Research interests emphasize marginalized populations under UN SDGs, particularly disabled children and refugee youth. Key contributions include studies on children as next of kin, qualitative methodologies, and healthcare equity. He chairs the multidisciplinary research group 'Children and young people's health & welfare' and the think-tank 'Gaze on Children'.

Teaching includes courses like 'Children and Youth: A Foundation for Public Health' and 'Qualitative Research Methods in Medicine & Health Science'. He has supervised nearly 40 master’s and 10 PhD students across Norway and internationally.

Grants include funding from Trondheim University Municipality, NTNU, and the Research Council of Norway. His work appears in journals like Scandinavian Journal of Public Health and Disability & Rehabilitation. He reviews for multiple peer-reviewed journals and is a former president of the Nordic Network on Disability Studies (NNDR).