Øyvind Thomassen

Øyvind Thomassen is a Professor in the Department of Modern History and Society at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Humanities. His work bridges historical scholarship with social sciences, focusing on the intersections of psychiatry, law, and societal development in Norway. He is deeply engaged in public history and has contributed to museum exhibitions and public dialogues on mental health history.

• PhD in Technological and Social Change, NTNU (1997)
• MPhil in Technology and Society, University of Trondheim (1991)

Thomassen’s research centers on the history of forensic psychiatry, coercive practices, and the institutional treatment of the mentally ill in Norway. He explores themes such as masculinity and crime, intellectual disability, and the moral and legal frameworks governing dangerousness. His work also extends to urban planning, transportation policy, and regional development, especially in Northern Norway during the Cold War.

His recent publications reflect a strong focus on historical analysis of mental health institutions, particularly Kriminalasylet and Reitgjerdet. These works examine patient backgrounds, coercive measures, diagnostic practices, and societal attitudes toward criminal insanity. The interdisciplinary nature of his research spans history, criminology, disability studies, and science and technology studies (STS), with a recurring emphasis on ethics, control, and humanitarianism.

Thomassen has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral students, contributing significantly to the next generation of scholars in history and social sciences. His mentorship is evident in the many theses co-supervised on topics ranging from castration in psychiatric institutions to women’s movements and sexual offenders.

He has authored or co-authored key publications including Galskapens fengsel: Kriminalasylet i Trondheim 1895–1963 (2010), a popular scientific book, and multiple academic chapters and journal articles. His work has appeared in journals such as History of Psychiatry, Historisk tidsskrift, and Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research.

Thomassen has been involved in public outreach through museum exhibitions, opinion pieces, and collaborative performances like Marreskipet, demonstrating a commitment to making historical research accessible. He has also contributed to national reports on internet history, mobility policy, and ethical regulation, reflecting a broad engagement with Norwegian societal development.