NOVA is a research institute under the auspices of the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. The aim of the institute is to develop knowledge and understanding of social conditions and processes of change. We focus on issues of life-course events, level of living conditions and aspects of life-quality as well as on programmes and services provided by the welfare system.

NOVA´s strategic position can be characterised as follows: "A research enviroment with emphasis on a broad-based social science approach combined with a life-course perspective."

The institute has a particular responsibility for

carrying out research on social problems, public services and transfer schemes
carrying out and developing research on the family, children and young people and the conditions under which they grow up
carrying out and developing research, pilot and development programmes with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups and child welfare services
carrying out and developing gerontological research and related research, including gerontology as an interdisciplinary science

Within its field the institute

runs projects on behalf of public authorities and organizations in the private and public sector
initiates research and development programmes
is community-oriented and interfaces with user enviroments on a broad front
is an active publisher and disseminator working in conjunction with users to ensure that its findings benefit the community
collaborates with research institutions and specialist enviroments in and outside Norway to maintain high professional standards

Areas of research

NOVA´s key research areas are:

Child welfare
Youth
Ageing
Family
Social security and social assistance
Public policy and conditions of living
Migration
Welfare services
Health, and quality of life

NordForsk has granted NOVA status as a Nordic Centre of Excellence in Welfare Research: Reassessing the Nordic Welfare Model, www.reassess.no.

Organizational set-up:
Research activity at NOVA is organized into three research groups:

Child, youth and the family (Research Director: Elisabeth Backe-Hansen)
Living conditions and ageing (Research Director: John Eriksen)
Welfare policies and migration (Research Director: Viggo Nordvik)

Within its fields NOVA performs research assignments commissioned by public and private sector clients.

Research conducted at NOVA is of a good international standard. The institute is the leading national research institute on child welfare, youth, ageing and the elderly, and social security. For the moment NOVA has five Strategic Institute Programmes (SIPs):

Childhood research
Social assistance and poverty
Disability
Research and development
European welfare policy