Leif Olsen

Areas of work

Leif Olsen mainly carries out research, analysis and evaluation of social problems and interventions in the fields of social affairs and disability. In his research, he has especially worked in specialised social fields, where he has investigated, for instance, individuals’ and professional groups’ experiences with specialised counselling. He is passionate about finding solutions to the challenges in ensuring development and organisation of specialised knowledge, so that it can be put to beneficial use in people’s everyday lives.

Analytically, Leif Olsen works with, for instance, mapping of social work practice and dissemination, and the use of social work methods aimed at specific target groups. He has experience with a plethora of evaluation types, and has a special interest in designing and carrying out evaluations, so that they support learning and use in practice for both laymen, professionals, administrators and politicians.

Methods

I have knowledge about and experience with a broad range of both qualitative and quantitative methods, for instance observation and interviewing of individuals and groups of ordinary people, professionals and leaders, as well as questionnaire surveys. I have been both a conducting researcher and a project leader of projects using combinations of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Background

I have an MA in Sociology from University of Copenhagen, where I also obtained my PhD with a thesis on knowledge centres in the field of disability in 1998. Previously, I have been employed at Universitetshospitalernes Center for Sygeplejeforskning (The University Hospitals’ Centre for Nursing Research) and have been a consultant in Socialstyrelsen (The National Board of Social Services) in the field of disability. Since 2000, I have carried out research, analysis and evaluation in the field of social affairs, as a researcher and senior researcher in the former AKF, KORA and now VIVE.