Department for Welfare and Education

Director: Eivind Hovden

The Department for Welfare and Education works to strengthen the scientific knowledge base for policymaking through the use of social science research. The department is responsible for implementing the objectives set out in the chapter on welfare and research-based professional practice in the government white paper on research, and supports research that can help to expand understanding about the structure, dynamics and changes in society.

The department administers and develops research activities in comprehensive areas such as welfare, working life and education, as well as research relating to immigration, democratic governance, urban and regional development and societal safety and security.

To achieve its objectives, the department employs policy-oriented programmes targeted towards the public sector and funded by the responsible ministries.