Ola Røed Bilgrei

Ola Røed Bilgrei is a Research Professor at Consumption Research Norway (SIFO), Oslo Metropolitan University, where he is affiliated with the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research and the research group for Consumption Policy and Economy. He holds a PhD in sociology from the University of Oslo (2019) and conducts qualitative, cultural sociological research on drug use, youth culture, and consumption practices.

His research interests include:

• Legal and illegal drug use, particularly among adolescents
• Identity work and symbolic consumption
• Digital culture and its impact on consumption
• Risk, safety, and street capital among marginalized populations
• Sustainable consumption and digital infrastructures
• Youth cultures and subcultures

Bilgrei employs qualitative methodologies such as in-depth interviews, longitudinal studies, textual analysis, and online ethnography. His recent publications focus on cannabis use typologies, alcohol expectancies, solitary drug injection, and the social meanings of drug use. The body of his work shows a consistent trend toward understanding how consumption—especially of drugs—is embedded in broader social, cultural, and policy contexts.

Notable scientific contributions include leading and co-authoring national reports for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and publishing in journals such as Contemporary Drug Problems, Health, Risk and Society, and Journal of Drug Issues. He has also contributed to public discourse through media collaborations with NRK, Aftenposten, and VG.

Bilgrei has been involved in significant research projects such as:

• Changing Drug Use and Drug Policy
• DISCo: Digital infrastructures for sustainable consumption

He collaborates with researchers like Janne Scheffels, Kristin Buvik, Rikke Tokle, and Øystein Skjælaaen. While no formal students are listed, his role as a research professor suggests advisory and mentorship activities. He is actively engaged in research dissemination and policy-relevant reporting.

He is associated with labs and teams including:

• Consumption Research Norway (SIFO)
• Research group for Consumption Policy and Economy
• Collaborations with Folkehelseinstituttet (FHI)