Espen Marius Foss

• Foss, Espen Marius; Svalastog, Anna Lydia; Dahl, Ulf Peter & Lepp, Margret (2025). The Use of Drama for Exploring Research Questions Within Master Theses in Psychosocial Work—A Qualitative Study of a Pedagogical Intervention in Health and Welfare Education. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. ISSN 0283-9318. 39(3). doi: 10.1111/scs.70116. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: In this study, we have used drama as a pedagogical strategy to facilitate students work with their research questions related to their master thesis in psychosocial work. This strategy creates and promotes a transdisciplinary team approach, as the group of students represents a variety of professions with different perspectives and creates an interdisciplinary discussion. Aim: To describe and analyse the use of drama and Enhanced Forum Theatre (EFT) as a teaching strategy to activate the student's practice-based knowledge when exploring challenges in various psychosocial fields to identify and define research questions for their master theses. Method: A qualitative approach is used, consisting of the researchers' participatory and field observations of a one-day drama workshop. Three role plays were prepared and performed as EFT. Results: The staging of EFT from real life experiences made professional knowledge available for group discussion and analysis. The process induced a transdisciplinary exploration of identified challenges together with possible research questions being elaborated upon. Issues of power, marginalisation, vulnerability and empowerment in the psychosocial fields became visible and tangible in a direct and relevant way across the plays. Value: To our knowledge, EFT has not been applied before with the objective to develop research questions for master's theses in health and welfare studies/psychosocial work.

• Toreld, Eva Marie & Foss, Espen Marius (2024). Imprisoned in an analogue bubble in digital society: Re/integration work in Norwegian high security prisons. Nordic Journal of Criminology. ISSN 2578-983X. 25(2), p. 1–17. doi: 10.18261/njc.25.2.2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article explores how the rise of the digital society affects re/integration work in prisons. In this context, we examine how employees involved in this work handle the disparity between the almost entirely analogue world of prison and the digital welfare state in their re/integration efforts. The study draws on interviews with employees in Norwegian correctional services in and outside of prisons, and municipal welfare services, as well as men currently serving or having previously served a sentence in Norwegian high security prisons. We employ thematic analysis of the interviews, aligning them with the theoretical framework of street-level bureaucracy. Our main findings are that the rise of the digital society challenges re/integration efforts and increases the workload of prison employees. Compensating for incarcerated persons’ lack of digital access requires time, commitment and technical skills, and depends on individual employees’ discretion, leading to inconsistency in the provision of services.

• Sørhaug, Christian & Foss, Espen Marius (2023). Becoming In/dependent: An Assemblage Analysis of Technical Design from Below. In Fugletveit, Ragnhild & Sørhaug, Christian (Ed.), Lost in Digital Translations: Studies of Digital Resistance and Accommodation to the Welfare State in Practice. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202781033. p. 175–195. doi: 10.23865/noasp.196.ch8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this anthology a group of researchers investigate how digitalisation influences the most ambitious welfare state in the world: Norway. Given Norway’s extensive welfare system, the process of digitalisation has had a profound impact. Digital technologies are used to enhance cooperation and coordination between health trusts and municipalities, standardizing communication between frontline workers and citizens, and even altering the architectural design of public buildings, all of which influences the quality of welfare services. At the same time, patient security is endangered, vulnerable groups experience even more exclusion from society, and for others, the quality of welfare deteriorates.

• Holte, Kjersti E. Lien; Foss, Espen Marius & Sträng, Dan Roger (2022). Psykisk helse skapes i de daglige skoleerfaringene Skolen som arena for å fremme god psykisk helse i et systemisk perspektiv. Norsk pedagogisk tidsskrift. ISSN 0029-2052. 106(4), p. 345–359. doi: 10.18261/npt.106.4.6. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius & Hydle, Ida (2017). Youth as Architects of Peace? Street Mediation at the Norwegian red Cross and Other National Red Cross Unions. In Bastien, Sheri & Holmarsdottir, Halla Bjørk (Ed.), Youth as Architects of Social Change: Global Efforts to Advance Youth-Driven Innovation. Palgrave Macmillan. ISSN 9783319662749. p. 301–337. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-66275-6_12. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius & Pali, Brunilda (2017). Restorative justice in the societies of control: The ambivalence of decentralised state control in participative justice processes. In Pali, Brunilda & Aertsen, Ivo (Ed.), Restoring Justice and Security in Intercultural Europe. Routledge. ISSN 9781138120938. p. 182–198. doi: 10.4324/9781315651439-12. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2007). Fredsguide for ungdom, Fredsguide for ungdom. En verden av muligheter. Stiftelsen Arkivet, Toralf Tveiten (red.). p. 336–336. Full text in Research Archive
• Hydle, Ida & Foss, Espen Marius (2006). Young people in liminal situations: between criminal and psychiatric justices. Social capital, verbal and visual skills, Social capital among young citizens: children's and young people's networks and involvement in contemporary democracy. Norsk senter for barneforskning. p. 29–43. Full text in Research Archive

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• Foss, Espen Marius; Lepp, Margret; Svalastog, Anna Lydia & Dahl, Ulf Peter (2023). The use of drama for exploring research questions in master thesis´s in psychosocial work, in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2023). Innslag i NRK nyheter, NRK Viken og Østfold. Med bakgrunn i nylig sak om elevers bruk av vold mot lærere i skolen. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørhaug, Christian & Foss, Espen Marius (2023). Staging a digital society. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2022). Ikkevoldskommunikasjon i teori og praksis. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius; Fredheim, Nina Skajaa & Johansen, Ann Kristin (2021). Konfliktforskerens favorittverktøy: en konfronterende, men kreativ samtale. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2021). "Konfrontasjon med empati". Kommentar til Dagsavisen/Demokraten etter ungdomsopptøyer og konfrontasjon med politi i Fredrikstad sentrum 17. mai. https://www.dagsavisen.no/demokraten/navn-i-nyhetene/2021/05/31/konfrontasjon-med-empati/. [Journal]. Dagsavisen/Demokraten. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2020). Dagsworkshop/foredag: Konfliktarbeid i praksis – med gjenopprettende tilnærming. Med fokus på sirkelmetodikk, lek, øvelse og rollespill. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2020). Chairperson for a panel discussion on the theatre play and film, A Conversation. Full text in Research Archive
• Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Foss, Espen Marius (2019). Open space workshop. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius & Holte, Kjersti E. Lien (2019). “Let’s end the depressing classrooms!": exploring scenography for wellbeing in high school. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2019). Mestring og mening på Fredrik II VGS: konfliktarbeid med elever. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2019). Hvordan få til en bærekraftig forankring av Trygg læring som helsefremmende tiltak på videregående skole? Erfaringer fra et pågående aksjonsforskningsprosjekt. Full text in Research Archive
• Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Foss, Espen Marius (2018). Gjenopprettende prosesser. Full text in Research Archive
• Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Foss, Espen Marius (2018). Anerkjennende kommunikasjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2018). Restorative practices as means of promoting wellbeing – a whole school approach within an action research project in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Foss, Espen Marius (2018). Gjenopprettende tilnærming til konflikt og digital mobbing. Full text in Research Archive
• Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Foss, Espen Marius (2018). Mestring og mening på Frederik II videregående skole - brevundersøkelsen. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2018). "Wellbeing @ school in digital society". Del av panel med tittelen "Psychosocial work in digital society". Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius; Biffi, Emanuela & Riera, Marc Ceron i (2017). ‘A Conversation:’ from theatre to film. European Forum for Restorative Justice: Newsletter. June. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2017). Ledelse av paneldebatt om gjenopprettende prosesser (restorative justice). Full text in Research Archive
• Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Foss, Espen Marius (2017). How can schools develop as arenas to promote good mental health and wellbeing? Full text in Research Archive
• Hydle, Ida & Foss, Espen Marius (2015). ALTERNATIVE security developments in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Lønneberg, Magnus Gjerde & Foss, Espen Marius (2012). Norwegian Red Cross Street Mediation. Full text in Research Archive
• Lønneberg, Magnus Gjerde & Foss, Espen Marius (2011). Norwegian Red Cross Street Mediation - Empowering young people as conflict mediators. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2002). "Snakk til meg!" - Om annerledeshet og arbeidslivet. Curriculum Vitae. Tidsskrift for folkeopplysning og voksnes læring - i lys av kultur, politikk og pedagogikk. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Populærvitenskapelig formidling av innhold i hovedfagsoppgaven "Design nedenfra - Om politikk og motstand ved rehabilitering av talehemmede"

• Foss, Espen Marius (2001). Marginalisering - en kritisk kommentar. Curriculum Vitae. Tidsskrift for folkeopplysning og voksnes læring - i lys av kultur, politikk og pedagogikk. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Populærvitenskapelig formidling av innhold i hovedfagsoppgaven "Design nedenfra - Om politikk og motstand ved rehabilitering av talehemmede"

• Eriksen, Trond; Foss, Espen Marius & Bjerke, Trond Nergaard (2022). Interpersonal competence in challenging encounters: Towards a paradigm shift in human services - Creating conditions for professional development through action research and trauma-informed restorative practice. UiT Norges arktiske universitet. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Helse- og sosialarbeidere, i private og offentlige arbeids- og velferdstjenester, har daglig kontakt med mennesker som har traumeerfaringer og sammensatte behov. Kommunikasjonen kan være følelsesmessig utfordrende og mange fagpersoner opplever dårlig tid, utrygghet og stress i arbeidet. Utrygghet og stress øker konfliktnivået og har en negativ effekt på fagpersoners velvære, holdninger til tjenestebrukere og dermed kvaliteten på tjenesten som tilbys. Dette forskningsprosjekt synliggjør at det i utdanning og praksis brukes for lite tid til å utvikle mellommenneskelig kompetanse, og slik forberede ansatte på refleksjon over følelsesmessig utfordrende møter med mennesker. Det å styrke grunnkompetansen og jobbe aktivt med å forstå måten vi selv og andre kommuniserer kan gjøre oss tryggere i møte med mennesker som vi ellers har en tendens til å beskrive som vanskelige. I løpet av dette aksjonsforskningsprosjektet fikk ni sykepleierstudenter og 20 sosialarbeidere delta på en seks dagers traume-informert restorativ sirkelprosess. Vi brukte tid på å bygge trygghet, konflikthåndterings- og meklingskompetanse samtidig med at vi utfordret egen kommunikasjon, praksis og systemene som praksisen foregår innenfor. Videre utforsket vi hindringer og hva som bidra til mellommenneskelig læring og praksis. Det som kommer frem i forskningsprosjektet er at når vi er emosjonelt trygge fungerer vi bedre på alle måter: Vi er mer rolige, mer lyttende, mer medfølende med både oss selv og andre og dermed bedre rustet til å møte stress og traumereaksjoner. Funnene antydet at mellommenneskelig kompetanse for de utfordrende møter kan utvikles gjennom et trygt kommunikativt rom, og dermed legge til rette for selvbevissthet, økt toleranse for stress, traumeinformert praksis og personlig utvikling. Videre bidrar denne studien til dialoger mellom teori og praksis knyttet til å fremme kunnskap om hvordan mellommenneskelig kompetanse og kollektiv omsorg kan styrkes i praksis og utdanning. Dette vil kunne redusere utbrenthet samt øke kvaliteten i tjenesten, for både praksisutøveren og brukere.

• Foss, Espen Marius (2016). Dialogens paradoks: Framveksten av ´gjenopprettende prosesser´ i Norge. Universitetet i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The key question in this thesis is whether the emergence of restorative justice in Norway can be understood as a dialogical paradox, i.e. both as an instrument for state control and as a transformative field for personhood. In other words, the thesis explores how governance and personhood are mutually constituted in informal, dialogical justice processes, in context of on-going changes in the Norwegian welfare state. Social researchers, historians and philosophers have described a significant transition from modern nation-states to corporate states, from being disciplinary societies to becoming societies of control. Due to what has been described as a generalized crisis in traditional forms of state control, and its bureaucratic institutions, a new organization of state power has emerged and is being constructed through processes that decentralize, distribute and outsource state functions to civil and private actors and agencies. Such processes rely on a neoliberal ideological discourse, whereby agents of authority and control are often presented as partners in common projects with their clients or stakeholders. In developing such partnerships states take advantage of the logic of non-state sites of governance and direct their operations in a way that enables them to ‘govern at a distance’. Thus, despite the rhetoric, critics hold that the form of decentralized corporate state power in reality intensifies the control over citizens, especially due to the blurring of the borders of state and civil society through which the power of the state becomes less visible (and thus impossible to counteract). Emerging as a critique of disciplinary punishment, bureaucratic forms of state control and criminal justice, and of the alienation of citizens from their own conflicts, the practice and research field of restorative justice (RJ) made its coming of age during the height of neoliberalism and its attack on the welfare state and state institutions. The RJ discourse attempts at reforming the criminal justice system by decentralizing conflict management from the state to civil parties, without the interference of professional state bureaucrats. In other words, RJ sets the state in “brackets”. But despite the bracketing of the state, or maybe because of that, RJ has become in the last decades increasingly an accepted way of dealing with crime and conflict across countries and legislations. In the perspective of the emergence of the societies of control, the relation between corporate state power, the welfare state and decentralized RJ processes remains crucial to understand. This thesis focuses on the complex dynamics of this relationship, and on the consequences the new organization of state power have for the participants of such processes, as well as the implications for the RJ field.

• Seeberg, Marie Louise; Hydle, Ida; Foss, Espen Marius; Hassan, Sahra Cecilie & Uhrig, Bettina (2012). On conflicts in intercultural settings. ALTERNATIVE: Developing alternative understandings of security and justice through restorative justice approaches in intercultural settings within democratic societies. 7th Framework programme.. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (2002). Design nedenfra: Om politikk og motstand ved rehabilitering av talehemmede. UiT Norges arktiske universitet. Full text in Research Archive
• Foss, Espen Marius (1998). Det offentlige Norge på Internett. Organisering av arbeid med elektronisk informasjon. Forvaltningsinformatisk notatserie. Nr. 1. Full text in Research Archive

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