About
I am a professor in special needs education with a doctoral degree in special education from the University of Oslo. In my PhD-project, I conducted research on student-directed learning and self-determination for students with intellectual disability.
My academic interests include the following:
- education, quality of life and living conditions for people with neurodevelopmental disorders (primarily intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder),
- equal access to justice and facilitated police interviewing for people with cognitive disabilities,
- school-work transitions for young adults with intellectual disability,
- self-determination and student-directed learning for students with intellectual disability,
- individualised support for students with developmental disabilities in higher education,
- alternative and augmentative communication and communication accessibility,
- qualitative research methodology.
Field of study
Individualized instruction Special education Transition to adulthood Augmentative and alternative communication Rule of law Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Vunerability Neurodevelopmental disorders Autism Spectrum Disorders Life transission Self-determination theory Intellectual disability and work Developmental disabilities Diversity and Inclusion Investigative interviewing
Research groups
Research projects
Ongoing research projects
-
Inclusive education in Nepal (NORHED II)
The project aims to build a strong teaching and research unit on inclusive education at Tribhuvan University in Nepal.
-
Learning Model for Self-Determination - II
People with intellectual disability have lower levels of self-determination than others. In this project, we conduct a community-based intervention aimed at enhancing self-determination skills, such as setting goals and making decisions.
-
Using alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) during police interviews
People with speech and language disorders face an increased risk of violence and sexual assault, but very often, they do not get the chance to tell their story to the police.
Completed research projects
-
Staying on Track – completion in vocational education and training
A longitudinal interview study following vocational students with low grades from lower secondary education through upper secondary vocational education and training (VET).
-
Supporting Content and Language Learning Across Diversity (SCALED)
The aim of the SCALED project is to develop a new online course: interactive and self-study mode that can be adapted to onsite use.
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Dahl, Nina Christine;
Garrels, Veerle
; Jakobsen, Kristina Kepinska
(2026).
“Gut feeling and subtle signals”: Norwegian police officers' strategies for identifying cognitive disabilities in suspects during the initial stages of the legal process.
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry.
Vol. 106.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2026.102204
Garrels, Veerle
;
Brevik, Birger
(2026).
Experiences of students and teachers in Norwegian vocational education partnering with NASA HUNCH.
Discover Education.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01443-8
Garrels, Veerle
; Jensen, Hanne Pauline; Engbråten, Anne Liv
(2025).
Police Officers’ Reflections on Using Alternative and Augmentative Communication During Investigative Interviewing of People with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.
Nordic Journal of Studies in Policing (NJSP).
Vol. 12.
https://doi.org/10.18261/njsp.12.1.9
Acharya, Yadav;
Garrels, Veerle
; Kafle, Basu Dev
(2025).
Invisible on the field: Experiences of students with visual impairment in physical education in Nepal.
European Physical Education Review.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x251378404
Sigstad, Hanne Marie Høybråten;
Garrels, Veerle
; Dean, Evan Edward; Wendelborg, Christian
(2025).
Characteristics of Workplaces and Employers That Embrace Cognitive Diversity on the Work Floor.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Vol. 63.
https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-63.2.105
Schmid, Evi
;
Garrels, Veerle
;
Skåland, Børge
(2024).
The continuum of rapport: Ethical tensions in qualitative interviews with vulnerable participants.
Qualitative Research.
Vol. 24.
https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941231224600
Schmid, Evi
;
Garrels, Veerle
(2024).
Ethical Pitfalls in Research with Young People: How Can They Be Identified and Addressed?.
Young - Nordic Journal of Youth Research.
Vol. 33.
https://doi.org/10.1177/11033088241254230
Garrels, Veerle
; Sigstad, Hanne Marie Høybråten
(2024).
Å lære fra dem som har fått jobb.
Garrels, Veerle; Sigstad, Hanne Marie Høybråten (Ed.).
Jobbklar med utviklingshemming - Praktisk hjelp til å lykkes. p. 49-64.
Universitetsforlaget.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3855096
Garrels, Veerle
; Sigstad, Hanne Marie Høybråten
(2024).
Jobbklar med utviklingshemming - Praktisk hjelp til å lykkes.
ISBN: 9788215071817.
165 p.
Universitetsforlaget.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3853720
Ellingsen, Karl Elling;
Garrels, Veerle
; Strøm-Rasmussen, Helene Thoner
(2024).
Kurs om selvbestemmelse.
Samfunn for alle : tidsskrift for Norsk forbund for utviklingshemmede.
Vol. 2024.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4008291
