NNDR is a multidisciplinary network of disability researchers interested in cultural, societal and environmental dimensions of disability and marginalization.
The purpose of NNDR is to advance research and development in the field of disability. NNDR provides a forum for researchers, particularly from the Nordic countries, to meet, present and discuss their research, as well as encouraging Nordic and international exchange and collaboration.
NNDR was established in Fredrikshavn, Denmark in 1997. In just a few years it has grown into a large network of disability researchers, reflecting the growing interest in and importance of disability research in the Nordic countries.
The main meeting place for the network is the biannual NNDR conferences. The purpose of the conferences is for researchers in particular from the Nordic countries to present and discuss their results from social research on disability, as well to promote contacts for Nordic and international collaboration.
Those who work with development and policy for disabled people in various professions, organisations or bureaucracy are also warmly welcome. The second main activity for NNDR is to run the scientific journal Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research.
Elected board members
2025 – 2027
Hisayo Katsui
Professor
University of Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland
hisayo.katsui@helsinki.fi
Stefan C. Hardonk
Assistant Professor
University of Iceland
Centre for Disability Studies
Reykjavik, Iceland
hardonk@hi.is
Line Melbø
Professor
Arctic Universiy of Norway
Harstad, Norway
line.melboe@uit.no
Lars Oestreicher
Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor
Uppsala University
Uppsala, Sweden
Lars.Oestreicher@it.uu.se
Anthon S. Jørgensen
Associate Professor
University College of Northern Denmark
Denmark
ansa@ucn.dk
Associate board members
2025 – 2027
Patrick Kermit
Professor
NTNU
Trondheim, Norway
patrick.kermit@ntnu.no
Marie Sepulchre
Assistant Professor
Lund University
Faculty of Social Sciences
Lund, Sweden
marie.sepulchre@soch.lu.se
Pia Ringø
Associate Professor
Ålborg University
Department of Sociology and Social Work
Aalborg Ø, Denmark
ringoe@socsci.aau.dk
Laufey Elísabet Löve
Assistant Professor
University of Iceland
Faculty of Education and Diversity
Reykjavik, Iceland
lel@hi.is
Reetta Mietola
Senior research fellow
University of Helsinki
Faculty of Arts
Finland
reetta.mietola@helsinki.fi
SJDR EDITORS:
Editor in Chief
Leslie Swartz
Stellenbosch University,
South Africa
Assistant Editor:
Nikki Rutter
Durham University, UK
Touko Vaahtera
University of Easter Finland, Finland
Anna Chalachanova
VID Specialized University, Norway
Cecilie Kolonda Moesby-Jensen
University College Absalon, Denmark
For the editorial board, see sjdr.se
STATUES
These statutes were proposed, discussed, amended, and approved at the founding meeting of NNDR in Fredrikshavn (DK), 16 August 1997, revised 1998 and 2003 in Jyväskylä (Fi), and again in Gothenburg (Se) 2007.
PARAGRAPH 1: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose and intention of this Association is to promote and advance research and development in the field of disability. NNDR is a multidisciplinary network of disability researchers interested in cultural, societal and environmental dimensions of disability and marginalization. NNDR provides a forum for disability researchers, particularly from the Nordic countries, to meet, present, and discuss their research, as well as encouraging Nordic and international exchange and collaboration.
PARAGRAPH 2: MEMBERSHIP
Membership is either by individual or organisational/institutional subscription. Membership is open to persons who work in research and/or development in the field of disability, as well as others interested in such research.
PARAGRAPH 3: TASKS AND ACTIVITIES
This Association shall engage in activities which contribute to the advancement of the Association’s purpose. This includes:
a Nordic conference every other year;
publication of Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research (SJDR);
NNDR web pages
This Association shall also have a threefold network function:
- to promote establishment of a network for Nordic researchers in the field of disability;
- to promote development of national networks in each of the Nordic countries;
- to promote international contacts with individuals and organisations having similar interests.
PARAGRAPH 4: ORGANISATION
The Association’s highest authority is the General Assembly. The General Assembly meeting is arranged in connection with the Nordic conference, occurring on alternate, oddly-numbered years. The conference announcement serves as invitation to the General Assembly meeting.
The General Assembly considers and acts on the Board’s report, financial report, journal editor report, membership dues, Nordic conference report, the Board’s plan of work activities, and election of the President and the Board, as well as other issues and points of business which can be proposed from Board members or suggested by individual members. Such items can be proposed beforehand such that they appear on the meeting agenda, or raised at the meeting under the agenda item of miscellaneous. The official language of the Association is English.
The official language of the Association is English.
PARAGRAPH 5: BOARD AND ELECTIONS
Between General Assembly meetings, the Association is led by the President and the Board. The Board will consist of five board members and five substitute board members. Members of the board must represent the five Nordic countries. The General Assembly elects the Board’s president, four additional board members and five substitute board members. The Board has the authority and responsibility to constitute itself, but shall have at least the roles of secretary and treasurer. Board membership is for a period of two years. The General Assembly appoints and elects an election committee comprised of four persons who propose nominations for President, board members and substitute board members for the following General Assembly. A financial accountant is also elected by the General Assembly.
PARAGRAPH 6: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF DISABILITY RESEARCH (SJDR)
NNDR publishes a journal entitled the Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research. The Editor is appointed by the Board, an appointment presented to the General Assembly as a point of information. The Editor appoints consulting editors in collaboration with the Board.
PARAGRAPH 7: NNDR CONFERENCES
The Association hosts a Nordic conference every other year. The Board decides which country will have responsibility for each conference. The conference committee shall have a contractual agreement with the Board.
PARAGRAPH 8: MEMBERSHIP DUES
Membership dues shall be decided by the general assembly.
PARAGRAPH 9: DISSOLUTION
The Association can be dissolved by way of a two-thirds majority vote at and by the General Assembly. In such an instance, the Association’s resources shall be pledged to a purpose representing the Association’s purpose and interests, to be considered as a separate agenda item approved at and by the General Assembly.
National networks on disability research
Danish Network on Disability Research
(in Danish only)
Finnish Network on Disability Research
(in Finnish only)
Norwegian Network on Disability Research
(in Norwegian only)
Swedish Network on Disability Research
(in Swedish only)
Icelandic Network on Disability Research
(Site to be launched)