Maria Kristiansen

Maria Kristiansen serves as Professor of Participatory Health Services Research and Research Group Leader at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH). She also holds a Research Collaborator appointment at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, and an Honorary Fellowship at the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh. Additional roles include Member of the UCPH Strategy Group for Global Outlook and Co-president of the Society of Fellows, UCPH Forward.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in multi-methods Health Services Research (UCPH, 2011)
• Master of Science in Public Health (UCPH, 2005)
• Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Programme (INSEAD, 2024)
• Women Leaders Programme (INSEAD, 2022)
• UCPH Forward: Talent Programme for Excellence in Research (2019)

Professor Kristiansen's research focuses on participatory approaches to healthcare, particularly examining how person-centered care can be enhanced through public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE). Her work spans aging research, health equity, diversity, and implementation science, with strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration across national and international partnerships. She actively explores models for strategic partnerships that address complex societal challenges and enable research-based innovation with tangible impact.

Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward understanding health disparities in aging populations, chronic disease management (particularly diabetes and multiple sclerosis), and innovative methodologies for patient engagement. The research consistently employs mixed-methods approaches and emphasizes real-world application through partnerships with citizen representatives, patient organizations, and healthcare institutions.

As an educator, Kristiansen teaches, supervises, and assesses students at all academic levels from Bachelor to PhD, while mentoring younger researchers and serving as a member of the External Examiner Group for Public Health programs in Denmark. Her grant review activities span numerous prestigious international funding bodies including Horizon Europe, the European Research Council, and national research councils across Europe.

She leads a research group dedicated to enhancing person-centered healthcare through interdisciplinary, collaborative research with mission to address aging, equity, and diversity in healthcare contexts. This group actively partners with a wide range of stakeholders including patient organizations, public health institutions, and private sector partners to ensure research relevance and impact.