“Congratulations on the prize! How did you react when you received the news?”
“We were very happy! It is a great recognition of the work of our research collective. We have worked for a long time and built the program from almost nothing. Previously, violence was a rather peripheral topic at NOVA. Now it has become a central topic with a robust research environment.”
This is told by Anja Bredal, Elisiv Bakketeig, Kari Stefansen, and Monika Grønli Rosten, who work at the Welfare Research Institute NOVA, part of OsloMet.
According to the jury, the research quality in the Violence Program is high and its societal relevance great. It is often referred to in official plans and reports.
“Tell us about your program!”
“We investigate what kinds of violence occur, what the extent is, and how the violence is handled in society. For example, we research violence and abuse among youth, and violence in families, with an emphasis on social and cultural diversity. We also research welfare services, the criminal justice system, and the so-called child advocacy center model: These centers are places where children are interviewed but also receive help and support. The model started in the Nordic countries but is now spreading globally.”
“What motivates your engagement?”
“We want to make the world a little better. At the same time, it is important for us that we do it together. This is a field that can be tough to work with: We conduct research on vulnerable groups and difficult topics. However, we work scientifically and critically, and we try to understand how the systems work – so they can be improved.”
“What are you most proud of?”
“We are proud that we conduct research that is being used in policies but also research published in recognized scientific journals. We are also proud that we have built a community of dedicated researchers, both new and more experienced ones, and we are proud that we manage to communicate about violence in a nuanced and exploratory way. It is a field with many strong emotions.”
“Which advice would you give others?”
“We’d like to encourage those who fund research to continue what they have done for us: provide research environments with stable core funding over time. Ourselves, we have received solid ministry support for the first ten years, and this has given us security and courage to take risks. Then we have also been able to attract more funding. Such basic support can add great value.”
“What’s next for you?”
“We will continue to research violence, but we would also like more contact with colleagues who work with various professional educations – such as education of preschool teachers, teachers, nurses, social workers, child welfare educators, and others. We often hear that students need to learn more about violence in close relationships. We are happy to contribute.”
