Monica Strømland

Monica Strømland is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychosocial Health at the University of Agder, Norway. She has held various academic and research roles at UiA, including Assistant Professor (2020–2024) and PhD Research Fellow (2017–2020), and previously worked as a researcher at Sørlandet Hospital. Her work focuses on children’s rights, human rights, child welfare, ethics, and recovery in mental health.

• Master in Public Policy and Management (2015)
• Bachelor of Political Science (2011)

Her research interests center on the intersection of ethics, justice, and social policy, particularly in child welfare contexts. She explores how children's voices are heard (or not) in decision-making processes and advocates for the use of the Capability Approach to enhance the principle of the child’s best interests. Her work also addresses dignity, participation, and recovery as central to psychosocial wellbeing.

Monica Strømland’s recent publications (2018–2024) reflect a strong focus on children’s rights and participation in welfare services. Her articles combine qualitative research, systematic reviews, and ethical analysis, often applying philosophical frameworks like the Capability Approach. Key themes include youth agency, ethical decision-making, mental health recovery, and the implementation gap between legal rights and actual participation in services.

Her scientific contributions include publications in The International Journal of Children's Rights and Journal of Human Rights Practice, as well as public commentaries in media outlets such as Morgenbladet and Agderposten. She has also contributed to public outreach through lectures and TV interviews on children’s rights and bullying.

Monica Strømland has supervised master's theses and taught courses on children’s rights, human rights, and recovery in mental health. She is a member of the research group Society, Space, Psychosocial Health (SSPH) and has led projects such as Child Welfare Education. While specific grant details are not listed, her sustained research output and leadership roles suggest active involvement in funded initiatives.

She is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research that bridges social sciences, ethics, and public policy, contributing both academically and publicly to the advancement of children’s rights and psychosocial health in Norway.