Monica Lillefjell

Monica Lillefjell is a Professor in the Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science at NTNU, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her work focuses on public health promotion, health equity, and mental wellbeing, with particular emphasis on adolescent health, occupational therapy, and participatory policy development. She leads the Trøndelag Model for Public Health Work, emphasizing collaborative approaches between researchers, policymakers, and communities.

Her research examines social determinants of health, including family dynamics, school environments, and urban planning impacts on mental wellbeing. Notable projects include evaluations of schoolyard development initiatives in municipalities like Heim and Røros, focusing on youth engagement and environmental design. She also investigates barriers to work reintegration for chronically ill employees and explores how municipalities implement health policies aligned with Norway’s Public Health Act.

Lillefjell collaborates extensively with municipal governments, contributing to reports on health equity, HR analytics in healthcare, and triple-win sustainability strategies. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates salutogenesis theory with practical interventions, emphasizing participatory design and evidence-based practice. Key themes in her work include cross-sectoral collaboration, community empowerment, and leveraging qualitative insights from affected populations.