May Østby

May Østby is an Associate Professor at the Department of Welfare, Management and Organisation at Høgskolen i Østfold. Her academic focus centers on inclusive research with persons with intellectual disabilities, emphasizing their participation in research design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. She co-edited the groundbreaking book *Inkluderende forskning sammen med personer med utviklingshemming* (2019), establishing methodologies for including disabled individuals as co-researchers. Her work bridges academic rigor with ethical practice, addressing topics like assistive technology accessibility, self-determination, and disability rights advocacy.

Key affiliations include Østfold University College and a research position at Molde University College. She has led projects such as the *Jeg kan!* initiative, exploring assistive technology’s impact on daily life for intellectually disabled individuals, and the *Slik vil jeg ha det!* project on self-determination. Awards include the prestigious Sosialarbeiderprisen 2022 for her transformative contributions to social work and disability inclusion.

Publications span peer-reviewed journals (*Journal of Intellectual Disabilities*, *Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research*) and edited volumes, with a focus on participatory methods and cross-cultural disability studies. She actively promotes accessible research dissemination, including simplified article versions for co-researchers. Her work integrates practical, ethical, and policy-oriented insights to advance disability rights in Norway and globally.

Awards:

• Social Worker of the Year 2022
• Contributions to *Inkluderende forskning* methodology

Research collaborations span institutions like Nord University, University of Agder, and international projects in Tanzania. She emphasizes bridging academic research with tangible improvements in social services and policy.