Ida Merete Solvang

Ida Merete Solvang serves as an Associate Professor at Oslo Metropolitan University within the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy. Her academic work centers on Service Organization and Innovation in Social Work and Child Protection, with research spanning over a decade of contributions to social policy literature.

Her research expertise encompasses:

• Political discourse in welfare contexts
• Norwegian Labour and Welfare Offices operations
• Social assistance frameworks
• Professional discretion in social work practice
• Activation policies implementation

Dr. Solvang's scholarly work critically examines the tension between empowerment and discipline within welfare systems, analyzing how social workers navigate contractualism while maintaining professional judgment. Her research demonstrates consistent focus on the practical implementation of welfare policies at the frontline service delivery level, particularly examining how social workers personalize services for welfare recipients within increasingly formalized policy frameworks.

Her publication trajectory from 2012-2022 reveals a systematic investigation into neoliberal governance modes in social policy, with particular attention to contractual relationships affecting social work practice with unemployed populations. The research consistently addresses how social workers balance bureaucratic requirements with client-centered approaches in activation services.

Professional contributions include:

• Research group membership in 'Service organization and innovation in social work and child welfare'
• Academic publications in Nordic Social Work Research, Journal of Social Work, and European Journal of Social Work
• Dissemination through Store norske leksikon (Norwegian Encyclopedia)