Divisions at the Faculty of Social Sciences

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There are four divisions at the faculty.

​​​​​​​History, Culture and Media

The division contributes to increasing knowledge on how social development connects to past events and debates, and how freedom of expression in different media creates, maintains, and develops  society. 

The research is concentrated on 3 central fields:
  • Historical research, with a special responsibility for regional and Sami history and culture
  • Innovative media research, with emphasis on the media content, journalistic practice, and multimedia as a subject of research.
  • Innovative development and use of information technology, multimedia, and games for educational purposes.
Head of Division: Per Bjarne Ravnå

Environment, international relations, the North, and societal safety (MINS)

The division furthers knowledge on societal challenges such as climate change, societal safety, migration, development and management of natural resources, and environment.

The group works with research questions connected to the politics and management of security, environment, and natural resources, as well as questions connected to tourism, risk, climate, and rights to land and water. 

The research provides insight into international organizations’ roles and functions in regards to international conflict and cooperation. The sections research also includes a focus on ethics and values, largely aimed at the High North.

Head of Division: Astri Dankertsen

Leadership and Innovation

The division conducts research with an emphasis on management, organization, innovation and entrepreneurship, management, management processes and policy development.

The division presents, evaluates, and examines who or what it is that governs, organizes and influences enterprises of all kinds. The division contributes to innovative organization and leadership in private companies, politics, and public enterprises. 

The division also contributes to knowledge about the significance of gender and minority positions in organizations and in management.

Head of Division: Anne Tjønndal​

Research Group: Sport and Society

Organized sport plays a vital role in Norwegian society, and with 2.1 million members, the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) is the nation’s largest volunteer organization. The importance of sport in our everyday lives is visible through the space devoted to sport in local, regional, national and international media. While sport can be a place of joy, friendship, and passion, it is also an arena for social exclusion, maltreatment, and doping. 

Today organized sport is faced with new challenges. Technology and digitalization have spurred the development of new virtual sports such as drone racing and Esport. Simultaneously organized sport is met with increasing demands to become more sustainable,  fair and socially inclusive. The Sport and Society Research Group uses sociological, cultural and historical perspectives to understand sport. We explore sport as a phenomenon and the societal role of sport in Norway.

Some concrete topics our research focuses on are:

  • Social inequality, social inclusion/exclusion in sport
  • Gender and equality issues in sport
  • Physical activity, health, and the body
  • Youth sport
  • Esport, technology, and digitalization of sport
  • Sports coaching and coach-athlete relationships
  • Elite sport and mega-events
  • Alternative movement cultures, nature, and outdoor sport
Leader of the Research Group:
Anne Tjønndal, Associate professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. Phone: +47 755 17693, e-mail: anne.tjonndal@nord.no

Scientific publications

  • Danielsen, L., Rodahl, S., Giske, R. & Høigaard, R. (2017). Mental toughness in elite and sub-elite female soccer players, International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 29 (1): 77-85.
  • Aars, N. A., Jacobsen, B. K., Furberg, A.S., Grimsgaard, S. (2018) Self‐reported physical activity during leisure time was favourably associated with body composition in Norwegian adolescents. Acta Paediatrica,  108 (6).  DOI: 10.1111/apa.14660.
  • Tjønndal, A. & Nilssen, M. (2019). Innovative sport and leisure approaches to quality of life in the smart city, World Leisure Journal, DOI: 10.1080/16078055.2019.1639922
  • Tjønndal, A., Hjelseth, A. & Lenneis, V. (2019). Fra presentasjon til prestasjon? Sportifisering av skateboard i Norge. Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum, vol.10: 89-116.
  • Tjønndal, A. (2019). “Girls Are Not Made of Glass!”: Barriers Experienced by Women in Norwegian Olympic Boxing, Sociology of Sport Journal, 36 (1): 87-96.
In the media

  • Skauge, M. & Tjønndal, A. (2019). Jo, e-sport kan være idrett! Josimar, 19.06.2019
  • Tjønndal, A. (2018). Teknologi, sportifisering og nye idretter. Dagens Næringsliv, 04.12.2018
  • Tjønndal, A. (2017). Boksing, kvinner og OL. Dagens Næringsliv, 12.07.2017
Researchers

  • Steinar Aas, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: steinar.aas@nord.no
  • Anna Adlwarth, PhD candidate, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: anna.adlwarth@nord.no
  • Mads Henrik Skauge Antonsen, PhD candidate, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: mads.h.antonsen@nord.no 
  • Bjørnar Blaalid, PhD candidate, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: bjornar.blaalid@nord.no
  • Tom-Erik Dybwad, Associate professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: tom-erik.dybwad@nord.no
  • Kjell Aage Gotvassli, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: kjell.a.gotvassli@nord.no
  • Terje Jostein Halvorsen, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: terje.j.halvorsen@nord.no
  • Svein Halvard Jørgensen, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: svein.h.jorgensen@nord.no 
  • Egil Rogstad, PhD candidate, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: egil.rogstad@nord.no
  • Anne Wally Falch Ryan, Associate professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: anne.w.ryan@nord.no 
  • Helga Dis Isfold Sigurdardottir, Associate professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: helga.d.sigurdardottir@nord.no 
  • Thor Atle Thøring, PhD candidate/Assistant professor, Faculty of Social Sciences. E-mail: thor.a.thoring@nord.no
External researchers

  • Nils A​bel Aars​, PhD candidate, The Arctic University of Norway, E-mail: nils.a.aars@uit.no
  • Arne Martin Jakobsen, Professor, Faculty of education and Arts. E-mail: arne.m.jakobsen@nord.no
  • Dagmar Dahl, Førsteamanuensis, Faculty of education and Arts. E-mail: dagmar.g.dahl@nord.no
  • Line Dverseth Danielsen, PhD candidate/Assistant professor, Faculty of education and Arts. E-mail: line.danielsen@nord.no
  • Martin Kjeøen Erikstad, Associate professor, Faculty of education and Arts. E-mail: martin.k.erikstad@nord.no
Events

  • Research pub: the brain and boxing, September 16th 2020, Bådin bryggeri, Bodø
  • Lytring about Esport, November 6th 2019, Rana bibliotek, Mo i Rana

Welfare and Social Relations

The division contributes to new knowledge on how welfare challenges and social problems are created and maintained, and how they can be faced both professionally and politically.

The division combines micro-studies of social exclusion and professional services with studies of the welfare service organization, interaction, and behaviour. 

The division is interested in how gender and minority identities are impacted in exclusion processes and professional help, and how innovation can contribute to new and better ways ​of meeting welfare challenges.


 Head of History, Culture and Media Division

 Head of MINS Division

 Head of Leadership and Innovation Division

 Head of Welfare and Social Relations Division