Helge Årsheim

Helge Årsheim is a Professor at the University of Inland Norway, affiliated with the Faculty of Teacher Education and Pedagogy and the Department of Social Sciences, Religion and Ethics. He specializes in the intersection of law, religion, and human rights, with particular focus on legal pluralism, indigenous religious rights, and non-religion studies. Årsheim has held roles at the United Nations Association of Norway, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board, and the University of Oslo. He currently serves as editor for Norway in the Eurel database and contributes to research projects at the Universities of Ottawa and Bergen.

His research explores topics such as religion-based asylum claims, the role of religion during the COVID-19 pandemic, and legal frameworks governing sacred natural sites in Sápmi. Key projects include Non-Religion in a Complex Future and The Governmateriality of Indigenous Religions. Over 24 publications are listed in Cristin, with works appearing in journals like International Journal of Refugee Law and Numen.

Årsheim’s academic contributions span legal analysis of religious practices, secularism, and human rights compliance. His work bridges theoretical, historical, and policy-oriented perspectives, addressing global and Nordic contexts alike.