Research Interests and PhD Project
My research interests are closely linked to my background as a social worker and deacon: Justice, peace and conflict, the interpersonal, ethics, religion and faith, environment/climate and issues around intercultural/interreligious dialogue and migration. What is a good life? How can we live in an ethically responsible way? What is ‘the right thing’ to do?
My interests are also informed by my master's degree in ‘Religion in Contemporary Society’ at MF in Oslo. My master's thesis was linked to a research project (FAIR) at the Institute for Peace Research in Oslo (PRIO), which explores the role of ethics in peace negotiations. The thesis was supervised by Gina Lende (MF) and Kristoffer Lidén (PRIO).
After a short period working as a deacon with integration, dialogue and diversity, I am taking this PhD. The purpose of my project is to learn about the interaction between Sámi practices and eco-theology, environmental challenges and the role of the church/diaconate in reconciliation work. The project is based on the protests around the Fosen-case and the Truth- and Reconciliation Commission's report to understand how the Church of Norway, especially through its diaconal activities, has responded to the need for reconciliation and justice. By critically analysing diaconal practice with a particular focus on political engagement and initiatives aimed at Sámi issues, the research project seeks to shed light on how the church can function as an agent of social change. Through this study, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of the church's potential to support the rights of Sámi indigenous peoples, and to emphasise the importance of political diakonia in the church's work with indigenous peoples. The PhD project is supervised by Marius Mjaaland and Nina Hoel.
Education
- 2023 - MA, Religion in Contemporary Society, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Oslo
- 2020 - BA International Social Work, Protestant University of Applied Sciences, Ludwigsburg, Germany
- 2019 - BA Diaconal Sciences, Protestant University of Applied Sciences, Ludwigsburg, Germany
Relevant Work Experience
- 2024 - PhD Student at the theological faculty, University of Oslo
- 2023 - 2024: Integrational and Dialogue Deacon i den norske Kirke Strømsø Bykirke and the Church Dialogue Center, Drammen
- 2022 - 2023: Research Assistant, PRIO (project: FAIR), Oslo
- 2021 - 2023: Research/Project Consultant for Areopagos (Topic Religion and Dialogue), Oslo
- 2021: Writing Mentor for the Academic Writing Center at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Oslo
Languages
- German (mother tongue), English (C1), Norwegian (B2).