Maria Helena Bärlund

Maria Helena Bärlund serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet). Her office is located at Stensberggata 26, 0170 Oslo (Office X567), with contact details including mobile: +47 918 82 982, office: +47 672 35 499, and email: mariahelena.barlund@oslomet.no.

Her research expertise centers on Social Work and Child Welfare, with critical focus areas in Discrimination Law, Human Rights Violations (particularly regarding female genital mutilation in Norway), and EU Accessibility Directives. She actively contributes to the research group Professional qualification and professional practice in child welfare and social work, examining legal-social intersections in welfare systems.

Her 2024 scientific publication analyzes discrimination law frameworks within Norway's context of female genital mutilation, demonstrating her methodological approach to human rights compliance in national legislation. This work reflects consistent thematic alignment with child protection and anti-discrimination policy implementation.

Dr. Bärlund collaborates within OsloMet's research ecosystem through the Professional qualification and professional practice in child welfare and social work group, where she investigates professional standards development and legal-pedagogical interfaces in social services delivery.