About
I am a Professor at the Centre for Work Inclusion, OsloMet, where I also serve as one of the editors of the 'KAI Chronicle'.
My research focuses on organization and governance in the public sector, with particular emphasis on street-level bureaucrats' implementation of labour and welfare policy and their discretionary decision-making in the context of administrative reforms.
I investigate how different governance logics, such as performance management, professional autonomy, and user orientation, shape public service development and legitimacy. I have extensive experience from interdisciplinary research projects funded by the Research Council of Norway and public agencies, and I collaborate closely with practitioners.
My primary position is as Professor at VID Specialized University, Faculty of Social Sciences.
I also serve as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Social Welfare.
Field of study
Public Administration Social Politics Qualitative methodologies Quality of Service Norwegian Labour and Welfare Offices User perspective Young adults Welfare policy The Norwegian employment and welfare reform Autonomy and discretion Social security Activation policies Governance Reception NEET
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Nilsen, Michaela
;
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
;
Kleppe, Lise Cecilie
(2025).
‘The elephant in the room’: when complex service needs are met with avoidance by frontline workers.
Nordic Social Work Research.
Vol. 15.
https://doi.org/10.1080/2156857x.2025.2599343
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
;
Alecu, Andreea Ioana
;
Bråthen, Magne
;
Dahl, Espen
(2025).
Labour Market Programmes, Service Individualisation and Employment Outcomes.
Social Policy & Administration.
Vol. 60.
https://doi.org/10.1111/spol.13132
Nilsen, Michaela
;
Kleppe, Lise Cecilie
;
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
(2025).
Sosialt arbeid i Nav: Hverdagspraksis og utfordringer i oppfølgingen av utsatt ungdom.
Søkelys på arbeidslivet.
Vol. 42.
https://doi.org/10.18261/spa.42.3.1
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
(2025).
Profesjoner.
Brodtkorb, Elisabeth; Rugkåsa, Marianne (Ed.).
Mellom mennesker og samfunn: sosiologi og sosialantropologi for helse- og sosialprofesjonene. p. 39-55.
Gyldendal Norsk Forlag A/S.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3906848
Nilsen, Michaela
;
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
;
Kleppe, Lise Cecilie
(2025).
Is it all about the money? - a study of specialized frontline work in the Norwegian social assistance service.
Journal of Comparative Social Work.
Vol. 19.
https://doi.org/10.31265/jcsw.v19i2.696
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
;
Leseth, Anne Birgitte
(2024).
Waiting as sociality–relational waithood in Norwegian activation.
European Journal of Social Work.
Vol. 27.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2024.2315561
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
; Nicolaisen, Heidi
(2024).
Work First or Education First? Frontline Service Challenges of Providing Enabling Activation.
Social Policy and Society.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746424000472
Myraunet, Ingunn
; Strøm, Anita;
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
(2023).
From Model to Everyday Practice: A Qualitative Observational Study of Daily Fact Team Board Meetings.
International Journal of Integrated Care (IJIC).
Vol. 23.
https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.7555
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
; Jones, Katy;
Leseth, Anne
; Scullion, Lisa; Martin, Philip
(2023).
Refraining from rights and giving in to personalised control: young unemployed peoples’ experiences and perceptions of public and third sector support in the UK and Norway.
European Journal of Social Work.
Vol. 27.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2023.2212875
Gjersøe, Heidi Moen
;
Leseth, Anne
(2022).
Rettigheter, behov og plikter i aktivitetspolitikken:
Forståelser av aktivitetsplikt for unge sosialhjelpsmottakere.
Kritisk juss.
Vol. 48.
https://doi.org/10.18261/kj.48.1.7