Monica Bjerklund

Monica Bjerklund is a senior researcher and professor, currently holding an adjunct position at Telemarksforsking. Her research experience is extensive and encompasses a wide range of fields, including public health, education, childhood development, family diversity, child welfare, social work, psychosocial health, socioeconomic living conditions, culture, ethnicity, diversity, Indigenous issues, sustainability, violence and abuse, participation and inclusion, as well as immigration and migration. Monica also has several years of experience in leading research groups.

She has a strong background as a project manager. Monica led the evaluation of a preliminary project aimed at improving traffic safety among youth in Telemark. She is currently the project manager of a study exploring the sense of belonging to Sámi culture among Norwegian-speaking Sámi individuals. Furthermore, she headed the national ECEC project “Sámi Early Childhood Education and Care Institutions as Health-Promoting Arenas” from 2019 to 2022. This project was supported by the Sámi National Competence Service for Mental Health and Substance Use (SANKS).

Monica also led the evaluation of the public health initiative Sammen Mot in Vestfold and Telemark, a project designed to prevent violence and abuse among children and adolescents. She has contributed to the development of knowledge on early intervention and public health work within ECEC and schools.

With a 25-year academic career at universities and university colleges, Monica is now a professor at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. She has experience in academic leadership of educational programmes and course development. Monica has an extensive record of scientific publications, both nationally and internationally.