معرفی
Pia Ringø is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Aalborg University's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She serves as Research Manager for the SOSA research group (Social Work in the field of psychiatry and disability) and focuses on mental health, vulnerability, well-being, and disability research. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to social inclusion and well-being.
Dr. Ringø earned her PhD in Sociology and Social Work from Aalborg University, with her dissertation titled "Dybder og Overflader i Styring, Viden og Praksis" (Depth and Surfaces in Governance, Knowledge, and Practice), completed on February 10, 2012.
Her research focuses on governance, knowledge, and practices with emphasis on disability studies, mental ill-being, and vulnerability-generating mechanisms. Ringø examines the interplay between societal changes and emerging social and mental challenges, exploring how social work can better reflect the realities of individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges. She has developed interdisciplinary methods and theoretical concepts in social sciences and social work, with particular expertise in theory of science, realism, and integrated analytical models.
Analysis of Dr. Ringø's recent publications reveals a strong focus on critical disability studies, with particular attention to how concepts like "special needs" are constructed and implemented in Danish welfare systems. Her work consistently examines neoliberal influences on social work practices, the relationship between performance culture and well-being, and the philosophical underpinnings of human nature concepts in social intervention. Recent articles demonstrate increasing engagement with forensic contexts for people with intellectual disabilities and the impact of austerity measures on vulnerable children.
Dr. Ringø has received funding from Bevica Fonden for her project "Menneskesyn, handicap og FN's Verdensmål" (Human Views, Disability and UN Sustainable Development Goals) running from 2022-2024. She is currently involved in multiple research projects including "Disabling Exclusion. Negotiated practices of social welfare targetting families with children with disabilities" (2024-2028).
As Research Manager of the SOSA research group at AAU, Dr. Ringø leads collaborative efforts focused on mental health, vulnerability, well-being, and disability research. She actively participates in the Nordic Network on Disability Research and serves as co-editor for the journal "Social Kritik: Tidsskrift for social analyse & debat."
