The Research Group on Disability and Inclusion

The Research Group on Disability and Inclusion studies opportunities and barriers for people with disabilities to participate equally throughout all parts of the life course.

We perform research on service innovation and social entrepreneurship, with equality, disability barriers and cognitive impairments as central themes.

In several of the UN's sustainability goals, the rights, needs and consideration of people with disabilities are specifically mentioned. In today's society, there is an increasing focus on universal design to ensure this.

The research group develops research-based knowledge about physical, psychological and social impairments. We also look at how we can strengthen the quality of life, opportunities, functioning, participation and rights for people with disabilities. In line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the scope of the research group includes, among other things, people with physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities. Impairments can result, for example, from advanced age, developmental disabilities or drug addiction.

How do we do research?

We use both quantitative and qualitative methods in our research. Case-study, mixed method and longitudinal design are all used, as well as action research, follow-up research, collaborative research and ethnographically inspired fieldwork with participant observations. Emphasis is placed on involving actors in the field (users, relatives, employees) as co-researchers in the projects. The research group has a broad interdisciplinary composition, with researchers in political science, sociology, psychology, law, history, health and social sciences.

Research, development and innovation projects

  • A study of reading and writing interventions for students with disorders of intellectual development, throughout the exploration of the research base and the field of practice. A mixed method design study. Project leader Karine Bakken

  • Inclusion of sign language nursing students in higher education. Project manager: Shahram Moradi.

  • Social educator and learning disability nursing education for sign language users. Project manager: Steinar Vikholt.
  • Culture for mobility for employees and students (KulMoSA). Project manager: Steinar Vikholt.
  • The importance of working life for an inclusive society: What consequences does equal participation have for facilitating people with developmental disabilities in ordinary working life? Doctoral student Mariann Mustvedt.
  • Identity, relationships and sexuality. About being young and having an intellectual disability. Doctoral student Eva Lill Fossli Vassend.
  • New care ideology. What are the experiences with municipal team-based services for adults with cognitive impairments?  Doctoral student Anne Grete Lund.
  • Parents with cognitive difficulties in meetings with child protection services – A study of the parental guidance program Parenting Young Children: Doctoral student Trude Helene Ellingsen.
  • Inclusion and coping with life. USN Profession. Project manager: Sabine Gehring.
  • Health-promoting collaboration to strengthen work participation. Innovation project financed by NFR: Project owner Vinje municipality. USN partner.
  • Day centre as a workplace for people with intellectual disabilities: What makes a day centre more than just a place to be, which factors lead to mastery and give the work meaning, and what role can technology play in this context? Scholarship holder and Doctoral student Lise Ellingsen Langemyhr
  • Welfare technology as a means for participation and greater autonomy for persons with intellectual disabilities. Doctoral student Lise Ellingsen Langemyhr.
  • New ways of thinking about work inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. Research project funded by the Research Council of Norway (NFR). Project owner: The Arctic University of Norway. USN partner.
  • Mental and physical health of Iranian older adults with positive COVID-19 status across 5 waves of COVID-19. Project manager: Shahram Moradi.
  • Social Work in a Global World: Opportunities for Innovation (SoWGloW). Project manager: Steinar Vikholt.
  • Subjective memory impairments in people with hearing loss. Project manager: Shahram Moradi.
  • Data collection for and with all children and young people – Increased availability in Ungdata + the survey. Project manager: Doctoral student Elisabeth Gulløy.
  • Linde veterans – what is important to you? Funded by the Joint Organization for the Disabled. Project manager: Professor Halvard Vike.
Collaboration partners and networks

National

  •  Norwegian network for research on disability
  • Sexuality and disability. An interdisciplinary network consisting of professionals linked to various areas of expertise in Vestfold, Norway
  • Norwegian National network for health subjects for nursing education

Nordic

International

Group leaders

Members

PhD-students