About
I am a researcher at NOVA, within the Department of Health and Welfare Studies. I hold a master's degree in work and organizational psychology from the University of Oslo (2011) and a PhD in social work and social policy from Oslo Metropolitan University (2022). My doctoral research focused on exploring employer attitudes towards disabled job seekers and disability employment policy.
My research interests are rooted in the themes of inclusion, discrimination, and the relationship marginalized groups have with the welfare state, with a particular emphasis on disability studies. I employ qualitative research methods, specializing in semi-structured interviews and observation.
Field of study
Discrimination - labour market Welfare services Disability
Research groups
Research projects
Ongoing research projects
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Consequences of the Pandemic for Living Conditions and Equality
In this project we will investigate the consequences of the pandemic for living conditions for children and young people, equality in families and for individuals, including children and adults with disabilities.
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Mental health and life satisfaction among youth with disabilities and experiences of services in the post-pandemic period (D-youth)
This project will provide new knowledge on mental health, life satisfaction, and use of services among youth with disabilities in the Nordic countries during the post-pandemic period.
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Promising Practices: Holistic Work Inclusion of Young Adults
The project will map how young adults are followed up in NAV with the aim of developing the work inclusion practice of this group.
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The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training's Competency Package for Inclusive Practice
How does professionals in schools and kindergartens use The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training's competence package for inclusive practice?
Completed research projects
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Discrimination of Muslims in the Labour Market
The topic of this project is the discrimination of Muslims in the labour market.
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HIRE? A Mixed-method Examination of Disability and Employers Inclusive Working Life Practices
Employers' understandings of disability as well as their broader knowledge and skills are likely to influence their risk assessments and hiring practices. HIRE? aims to fill this knowledge gap.
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Socio-spatial Inequality among Families with Children with Disabilities who are Entitled to Cash Benefits and Welfare Services (UPTAKE)
The research project will provide insight into the uptake and delivery of benefits and services among parents of children with disabilities.
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Jacobsen, Sigurd Eid
;
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
;
Vedeler, Janikke Solstad
;
Früh, Elena Albertini
(2025).
Individuell plan som digitalt samhandlingsverktøy: fortolkning, bruk og avvisning.
Tidsskrift for velferdsforskning.
https://doi.org/10.18261/tfv.28.1.1
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
;
Skjønsberg, Eia Elena
;
Früh, Elena Albertini
(2024).
“My child is my job now” – Care, work and careers of mothers with disabled children in the Norwegian welfare state.
Social Science and Medicine.
Vol. 355.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117097
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
(2024).
Quality in critical realist qualitative research.
Solem, May-Britt; Jenssen, Dag (Ed.).
Critical Realism for Health and Social Research.
Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032639130-8
Früh, Elena Albertini
;
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
;
Vedeler, Janikke Solstad
; Anvik, Cecilie Høj;
Jacobsen, Sigurd Eid
(2023).
Er koordinatorordningen for familier med funksjonshemmede barn bærekraftig?.
Tidsskrift for omsorgsforskning.
Vol. 9.
https://doi.org/10.18261/tfo.9.2.7
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
;
Vedeler, Janikke Solstad
; Framstad, Nora Birgitte
(2023).
The exclusionary potential of work inclusion policies: Employers addressing their responsibilities towards disabled people.
Takle, Marianne; Vedeler, Janikke Solstad; Schoyen, Mi Ah; Bøhler, Kjetil Klette; Falch-Eriksen, Asgeir (Ed.).
Citizenship and Social Exclusion at the Margins of the Welfare State. p. 64-76.
Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003347279-6
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
; Anvik, Cecilie Høj
(2023).
‘It's not really Michael who wears me out, it's the system’: The hidden work of coordinating care for a disabled child.
Critical Social Policy.
Vol. 44.
https://doi.org/10.1177/02610183231199661
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
;
Vedeler, Janikke Solstad
(2022).
Disability and Regulatory Approaches to Employer Engagement: Cross-National Challenges in Bridging the Gap between Motivation and Hiring Practice.
Social Policy and Society.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746422000021
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
(2022).
Mental illness stigma and employer evaluation in hiring: Stereotypes, discrimination and the role of experience.
Sociology of Health and Illness.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13544
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
(2022).
Disability Discrimination: Employer Considerations of Disabled Jobseekers in Light of the Ideal Worker.
Work, Employment and Society.
https://doi.org/10.1177/09500170211041303
Østerud, Kaja Larsen
(2022).
A balancing act: The employer perspective on disability disclosure in hiring.
Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Vol. 56.
https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-221192
