This is a new research area at the institute that connects art and nature-based methods to the field of social work. The thematic area encompasses various disciplines and requires interdisciplinary collaboration and close cooperation with the practice field. The thematic framing of the project is social sustainability, green social work, vulnerability in local communities, and environmental issues related to vulnerable groups. We have conducted a pilot study on the use of painting workshops as a tool for communication and social participation aimed at children and young people with challenges in the school environment. We also have two PhD positions associated with this research theme. Additionally, we have established collaborations with partners from Trondheim municipality, Peacepainting, Aalborg University, USN, and the University of Padova, Italy.

Project period: 2022-2025

This is an innovation project funded by Erasmus+ with partners from EU countries: Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, Latvia, Serbia, and Norway. The project involves testing various innovation projects within social work, where the projects are designed as a learning lab in close collaboration between research and the practice field. Norway's lab is called FAMWEL and focuses on families in contact with child welfare services with complex life challenges. We work closely with Trondheim municipality and master's students at ISA.

The project has developed its own website that will serve as a learning platform for the development of innovations within social work and the child welfare field: https://linklearning.online/ 

Care leavers are significantly over-represented among homeless young people. This is a tendency internationally as within the Nordic countries. However, the intersection between homelessness and care experience has been given little attention in research, including what challenges are faced, which support is needed and the experienced consequences of homelessness. Based on the limited knowledge, there is a need for qualitative curiosity-driven research in a Nordic context, as this has never been studied as a specific topic. This project sets to fill the gap and thus adds to Nordic added value in research by collaboration, knowledge-sharing and learning across the Nordic countires. 
The project involves four work packages. Two of these focus on young people’s experiences: Work package 1 is a systematic review of research on experiences of homelessness among young care leavers, and work package 2 explores the experiences of care leavers who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The other two work pages focus on the legislative context and social work practice concerning young people leaving care and their risk of being homeless: Work package 3 explores social policy and initiatives across the included countries, focusing on their similarities and differences, and work package 4 explores how social workers within child welfare services assess risk and needs in terms of homelessness when young people leave care.
Homepage of the project.

The project is working on developing models for assessment and analysis, as well as measures that contribute to a holistic view of families in contact with child welfare services. This is done through teaching, research, and development work, including the development of a comprehensive child welfare measure aimed at families with complex challenges and diverse needs. The development work is also carried out in collaboration with municipal child welfare services.

https://globalintrac.com/

The project investigates how to help children in contact with child welfare services overcome academic challenges.

Project period: 2024-2028

This is Rebekka Andersen's PhD project, which she is writing with Hilde Marie Thrana as the main supervisor, and Charlotte Fiskum and Carina Ribe Fernee as co-supervisors (external to this group). The project is a qualitative case study that primarily investigates the newly initiated effort for vulnerable youth "Mastery in Own Life" in Trondheim Municipality in 2025. "Mastery in Own Life" primarily takes place in the nature close to Trondheim city center and has a focus on "freshness" and activities. The focus is on the experiences of the youth, the experiences of the professionals, the long-term effects of the effort, and the complexity of the intervention; how do the different elements affect each other? Additionally, the Ph.D. also has a significant theoretical focus that includes thorough concept definitions and discussions of validity in nature-based interventions (NBIs).

Project period: 2024-2027

This is the topic of Nora Finseraas' PhD project, which is conducted as a public Ph.D. candidate in Trondheim municipality. The main supervisor is Hilde Marie Thrana, and the co-supervisor is Julie Brorup Jensen from Aalborg University. The project investigates area-based initiatives in Trondheim municipality and examines their impact on children and youth, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Additionally, the project explores the significance of art and culture in social work and how these can be tools to enhance the participation of children and youth.

Follow-up of the priority area across municipal sectors.