Communication | Formidling

Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal of t… Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal of the Greenlandic government’s homelessness strategy is the establishment of street units to build trust and provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness. However, institutional challenges, including bureaucratic processes and limited resources, hinder the effectiveness of such efforts. A lack of outreach work often leads to feelings of dehumanization among marginalized individuals, exacerbating stress, depression, and mistrust toward public systems. The article emphasizes that outreach social work is crucial for re-establishing trust and supporting individuals out of homelessness. Recommendations include implementing the Housing First approach, tailoring shelters to specific groups, and focusing on reintegration and education for youth. Municipalities are urged to prioritize trust-building practices and adopt inclusive, human-centered strategies to combat homelessness. The authors highlight these themes in upcoming training modules on street-level and shelter-based outreach, which Ilisimatusarfik will offer for free in 2025-2026. The training aims to equip practitioners with tools for proactive, trust-based outreach work as part of the Greenlandic government’s broader homelessness strategy. Abstract in Danish Opsøgende arbejde fokuserer på mennesket bag hjemløsheden Af Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd Denne artikel undersøger, hvordan kommunerne kan forbedre opsøgende socialt arbejde med fokus på hjemløshed i Grønland. Et centralt mål i Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi er etablering af gadeenheder for at skabe tillid og støtte til mennesker i hjemløshed. Dog står offentlige institutioner overfor udfordringer som bureaukrati og manglende ressourcer, hvilket begrænser indsatsen. Manglende opsøgende arbejde kan føre til, at udsatte borgere føler sig dehumaniserede, hvilket forstærker stress, depression og mistillid til systemet. Artiklen understreger, at opsøgende socialt arbejde er afgørende for at genskabe tillid og hjælpe borgere ud af hjemløshed. Anbefalingerne inkluderer anvendelse af Housing First-metoden, tilpasning af herberger til specifikke målgrupper og fokus på reintegration og uddannelse af unge. Kommuner opfordres til at prioritere tillidsopbyggende praksisser og implementere inkluderende, menneskecentrerede strategier for at bekæmpe hjemløshed. Forfatterne fremhæver disse temaer i kommende kursusmoduler om gadeplan- og herbergsarbejde, som Ilisimatusarfik tilbyder gratis i 2025-2026. Kurset sigter mod at ruste praktikere til proaktivt og tillidsbaseret opsøgende arbejde som en del af Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Abstract The article "Homelessness in Qaqortoq: Grassroots Help Amidst Municipal Apathy" examines the pressing issue of homelessness in Qaqortoq, Southern Greenland. Drawing from ethnographic research, it highlights the systemic challenges faced by the Kujalleq Municipality, including limited resou… Abstract The article "Homelessness in Qaqortoq: Grassroots Help Amidst Municipal Apathy" examines the pressing issue of homelessness in Qaqortoq, Southern Greenland. Drawing from ethnographic research, it highlights the systemic challenges faced by the Kujalleq Municipality, including limited resources and insufficient housing, alongside the remarkable grassroots efforts of local citizens who fill the gaps in the welfare system. The chronicle sheds light on the broader context of homelessness in Greenland, comparing it to similar issues in remote regions like Nunavut, Canada. It emphasizes the need for sustainable, long-term solutions such as legal reforms, structured support systems, and affordable housing initiatives. The article also critiques the municipality’s limited capacity to address homelessness while acknowledging the recent promise of a day shelter in Qaqortoq as a small but important step forward. Resumé Artiklen "Hjemløshed i Qaqortoq: Hjælp fra Græsrødder midt i Kommunal Apati" undersøger den presserende problematik omkring hjemløshed i Qaqortoq i det sydlige Grønland. Baseret på etnografisk forskning fremhæves Kujalleq Kommunes systemiske udfordringer, herunder begrænsede ressourcer og manglende boliger, samtidig med de bemærkelsesværdige græsrodsindsatser fra lokale borgere, der udfylder hullerne i velfærdssystemet. Kronikken belyser den bredere kontekst for hjemløshed i Grønland og sammenligner med lignende problematikker i fjerntliggende regioner som Nunavut, Canada. Den understreger behovet for bæredygtige, langsigtede løsninger såsom lovgivningsreformer, strukturerede støttesystemer og billige boligløsninger. Artiklen kritiserer kommunens begrænsede kapacitet til at håndtere hjemløshed, men anerkender samtidig det nyligt annoncerede værested i Qaqortoq som et lille, men vigtigt skridt fremad. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal… Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal of the Greenlandic government’s homelessness strategy is the establishment of street units to build trust and provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness. However, institutional challenges, including bureaucratic processes and limited resources, hinder the effectiveness of such efforts. A lack of outreach work often leads to feelings of dehumanization among marginalized individuals, exacerbating stress, depression, and mistrust toward public systems. The article emphasizes that outreach social work is crucial for re-establishing trust and supporting individuals out of homelessness. Recommendations include implementing the Housing First approach, tailoring shelters to specific groups, and focusing on reintegration and education for youth. Municipalities are urged to prioritize trust-building practices and adopt inclusive, human-centered strategies to combat homelessness. The authors highlight these themes in upcoming training modules on street-level and shelter-based outreach, which Ilisimatusarfik will offer for free in 2025-2026. The training aims to equip practitioners with tools for proactive, trust-based outreach work as part of the Greenlandic government’s broader homelessness strategy. Abstract in Danish Opsøgende arbejde fokuserer på mennesket bag hjemløsheden Af Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd Denne artikel undersøger, hvordan kommunerne kan forbedre opsøgende socialt arbejde med fokus på hjemløshed i Grønland. Et centralt mål i Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi er etablering af gadeenheder for at skabe tillid og støtte til mennesker i hjemløshed. Dog står offentlige institutioner overfor udfordringer som bureaukrati og manglende ressourcer, hvilket begrænser indsatsen. Manglende opsøgende arbejde kan føre til, at udsatte borgere føler sig dehumaniserede, hvilket forstærker stress, depression og mistillid til systemet. Artiklen understreger, at opsøgende socialt arbejde er afgørende for at genskabe tillid og hjælpe borgere ud af hjemløshed. Anbefalingerne inkluderer anvendelse af Housing First-metoden, tilpasning af herberger til specifikke målgrupper og fokus på reintegration og uddannelse af unge. Kommuner opfordres til at prioritere tillidsopbyggende praksisser og implementere inkluderende, menneskecentrerede strategier for at bekæmpe hjemløshed. Forfatterne fremhæver disse temaer i kommende kursusmoduler om gadeplan- og herbergsarbejde, som Ilisimatusarfik tilbyder gratis i 2025-2026. Kurset sigter mod at ruste praktikere til proaktivt og tillidsbaseret opsøgende arbejde som en del af Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

The reflexivity of ethnography allows the curious stranger to connect personal experiences to the research question at play intimately. The curious stranger exposes the reader to observations that otherwise would not have come to light and provides first-hand accounts of the studied phenomena. Getti… The reflexivity of ethnography allows the curious stranger to connect personal experiences to the research question at play intimately. The curious stranger exposes the reader to observations that otherwise would not have come to light and provides first-hand accounts of the studied phenomena. Getting deeper data through reflexivity developed by the curious stranger can allow for more understanding of the topic to come to light. The curious stranger approach explores subject matter that would have remained in an unfamiliar setting using a more traditional research approach – a discussion often addressed within Arctic research. When discussing relevant Arctic research methodologies and ethics, the emphasis is on including indigenous knowledge (Arnfjord & Hovgaard, 2021; Denzin & Lincoln, 2014). The discussion often includes political positions and the discussion about how the research becomes relevant for the particular setting. The ethical discussion, and the relevance of research, are always present in our approach when entering the context - here formulated as being a curious stranger in an unfamiliar setting. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Funded by UArctic’s north2north program, we travelled from Nuuk, Greenland, to Anchorage, Alaska, in November 2022 to examine homelessness. In Nuuk, we are both involved in researching and working directly with vulnerable and homeless adults in a local outreach program in the form of a soup kitchen… Funded by UArctic’s north2north program, we travelled from Nuuk, Greenland, to Anchorage, Alaska, in November 2022 to examine homelessness. In Nuuk, we are both involved in researching and working directly with vulnerable and homeless adults in a local outreach program in the form of a soup kitchen. Over the previous decades, homelessness in Greenland and Alaska has increasingly become a cause of great concern amongst health and social care professionals. A forthcoming volume on Housing, Homelessness, and Social Policy in the Urban North from the University of Toronto Press focuses exclusively on this topic. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Denne artikel omhandler et igangværende samarbejde mellem Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs (hovedstadskommunen, hvor Nuuk ligger) opsøgende gadeteam og Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd (ICAV), baseret på deltagende aktionsforskning. Målet med samarbejdet er at styrke kapaciteten blandt de ops… Denne artikel omhandler et igangværende samarbejde mellem Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs (hovedstadskommunen, hvor Nuuk ligger) opsøgende gadeteam og Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd (ICAV), baseret på deltagende aktionsforskning. Målet med samarbejdet er at styrke kapaciteten blandt de opsøgende socialarbejdere og give dem større overblik over deres job og faglige udvikling (UNDP, 2015). Kapacitetsopbygning og empowerment er begreber, der understøtter udviklingen af individer, fællesskaber og organisationer gennem socialt- og lokalsamfundsarbejde (Jones, 2010; Smith, 2015). Kapacitetsopbygning er helt specifikt en proces, som forbedrer individers og fællesskabers evne, viden og ressourcer og styrker dem til effektivt at nå deres mål og ambitioner (Brown, 2008). Dette koncept styrker principperne i lokalsamfundsarbejde ved at fokusere på ved hjælp af fællesskaber at opbygge de nødvendige færdigheder og ressourcer til selvfortalervirksomhed og initiering af ændringer. Samtidig giver empowerment individer de værktøjer og ressourcer, der er nødvendige for at tage styring over eget liv og træffe beslutninger som positivt påvirker deres trivsel. Dette udstyrer individer og fællesskaber med gå-på-modet til at fremme deres vækst og udvikling. Både kapacitetsopbygning og empowerment spiller sammen en betydelig rolle i at katalysere bæredygtig udvikling og social forandring (Lee, 2019). Derfor fungerer de som fundamentet for ethvert udviklingsprogram eller initiativ, der søger at tackle individuelle, gruppe- eller lokalsamfundsudfordringer (Smith & Jones, 2017). Read more

Research | Forskning

2022-mi Kalaallit Nunaanni angerlarsimaffeqanngitsut amerlassusaat. Angerlarsimaffeqanngitsunik kisitsinermi matumani inuit 491-it nalunaarsorneqarput1. Kisitsineq illoqarfinni aqqanilinni ingerlanneqarpoq taamaattumillu angerlarsimaffeqanngitsut amerlassusaannik sukumiisumik paasititsivoq. Angerla… 2022-mi Kalaallit Nunaanni angerlarsimaffeqanngitsut amerlassusaat. Angerlarsimaffeqanngitsunik kisitsinermi matumani inuit 491-it nalunaarsorneqarput1. Kisitsineq illoqarfinni aqqanilinni ingerlanneqarpoq taamaattumillu angerlarsimaffeqanngitsut amerlassusaannik sukumiisumik paasititsivoq. Angerlarsimaffeqanngitsunik kisitsineq manna nuna tamakkigajavillugu ingerlanneqarpoq – Qaanaamiit Nanortalimmut aamma Nuummiit Ittoqqortoormiunut. Amerlanerpaat paasineqartut tassaapput inuit ersinngitsumik angerlarsimaffeqanngitsut. Nalunaarsorneqartut 293-iupput2. Tassaapput inuit isumalluutinik amigaateqarnertik pissutigalugu ilaquttani ikinngutinilu najugaqartariaqartut - imaluunniit attaveqarfinni tutsuiginarpallaanngitsuni najugaqartutut nalunaarsoqqanatik. Angerlarsimaffeqanngitsunik kisitsinerni tulliuttuni kisitsit taanna qularnanngitsumik allanngorumaarpoq. Inuit ersittumik angerlarsimaffeqanngitsut amerlassusaat tassaavoq 183-it3. Tassani inuit pineqarput unnuisarfinni najugaqartut, tummeraqarfinni sinittartut imaluunniit containerini inissiani najugaqartut. Kisitsit taanna allanngorartuarpoq. Tamanna malunnarsissaaq siunissami kommunit isumaginninnermi neqeroorutinik amerlanerusunik pilersitsippata, imaluunniit naalakkersuinermut attuumassuteqanngitsumik suliniaqatigiiffiit (NGO´t) amerlanerusut takkuppata. Read more

Research | Forskning

Antallet af hjemløse i Grønland 2022. Der er opgjort 491 mennesker i denne hjemløsetælling1. Tællingen er gennemført i 11 byer og giver derfor et dybdegående indblik i omfanget af hjemløshed. Denne hjemløsetælling er næsten landsdækkende - fra Qaanaaq til Nanortalik og fra Nuuk til Ittoqqortoormiit… Antallet af hjemløse i Grønland 2022. Der er opgjort 491 mennesker i denne hjemløsetælling1. Tællingen er gennemført i 11 byer og giver derfor et dybdegående indblik i omfanget af hjemløshed. Denne hjemløsetælling er næsten landsdækkende - fra Qaanaaq til Nanortalik og fra Nuuk til Ittoqqortoormiit. Størstedelen er konstateret blandt mennesker, som lever i usynlig hjemløshed. Her er der registreret 2932. Det er mennesker, som på grund af manglende ressourcer er nødsaget til at bo hos familie og venner - eller i et mere løst netværk uden at have en bopælsadresse. Dette tal vil sandsynligvis ændre sig i de kommende hjemløsetællinger. Andelen af mennesker der lever i synlig hjemløshed er 1833. Her er der tale om mennesker, som bor på herberg, sover i opgange eller bor i containerboliger. Det er et tal, som er under forandring. Det vil komme til udtryk i forbindelse med, at kommunerne fremadrettet eventuelt opretter flere sociale tilbud på området, eller at der kommer flere NGO’er til. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Et tilfældigt møde mellem forskere fra Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd (ICAV) og Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs 'Gadeteamet' førte til et igangværende kapacitetsopbyggende forskningssamarbejde. Mødet gav et unikt indblik i gadeteamets arbejdsprocedure og i, hvorledes en vigtig social ydelse m… Et tilfældigt møde mellem forskere fra Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd (ICAV) og Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs 'Gadeteamet' førte til et igangværende kapacitetsopbyggende forskningssamarbejde. Mødet gav et unikt indblik i gadeteamets arbejdsprocedure og i, hvorledes en vigtig social ydelse målrettes særligt Nuuks udsatte voksne og hjemløse borgere. Gadeteamets teamkoordinator påpegede under mødet, at teamets ansatte manglede relevante kvalifikationer og kompetencer, hvilket forringede gadeteamets faglige indsats. Siden Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq ikke selv kunne forbedre den faglige oplæring af gadeteamet, og et tilsvarende kursusudbud eller uddannelse ikke findes, besluttede vi (ICAV) os for at indgå i et samarbejde med kommunen og udbyde et kursus til gadeteamet. Dermed startede et deltagende aktionsforskningsprojekt for at forstå gadeteamets opkvalificeringsbehov og en styrkelse af gadeteamets kapacitet. I marts 2022 gennemførte vi tre dages grunduddannelse med gadeteamet og to ansatte fra nødherberget i Nuuk Read more

Communication | Formidling

The following note reports on an ongoing participatory action research (PAR) collaboration between Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs’ ‘Street Team’ and the Centre for Arctic Welfare (CAR) in Nuuk, Greenland. The primary task of the street team is to undertake outreach social work in areas and institutions i… The following note reports on an ongoing participatory action research (PAR) collaboration between Kommuneqarfik Sermersooqs’ ‘Street Team’ and the Centre for Arctic Welfare (CAR) in Nuuk, Greenland. The primary task of the street team is to undertake outreach social work in areas and institutions in Nuuk where marginalised and vulnerable adults frequent. The main aim of this outreach work is to establish contacts, build relationships, and unravel the underlying issues faced by the adults in focus. Subsequently, we build bridges between the individual needing help and the appropriate municipal agency. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

In 2019 a broadcast from Denmark’s Radio (DR) highlighted severe social problems among children and young people in Tasiilaq in East Greenland. The broadcast also highlighted severe shortcomings in social care and child protection measures. The broadcast claimed the municipality and its employees ei… In 2019 a broadcast from Denmark’s Radio (DR) highlighted severe social problems among children and young people in Tasiilaq in East Greenland. The broadcast also highlighted severe shortcomings in social care and child protection measures. The broadcast claimed the municipality and its employees either failed (or responded inadequately) when receiving concerned professionals’ referrals. In this article, the point of departure is in the situation in Tasiilaq reported in the DR broadcast "The town where children disappear” – and based on a series of qualitative interviews with public employees in Tasiilaq. Through a social policy lens, the paper explores the situation in Tasiilaq. Among other things, the paper explores the situation reported by the broadcast from the perspectives of low-level public sector employees.' By analysing some of the employees' challenges, i.e., the referral reporting procedure in the municipality and the lack of decision-making competences locally, this article compares the findings from the broadcast to the employee's perspectives. Ultimately, this comparison illustrates the challenges of protecting children and young people from serious harm in Tasiilaq. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the methodological concept of reflexivity supports fieldwork and knowledge creation when doing fieldwork in Greenland. The paper primarily focuses on how researchers navigate unfamiliar contexts, build trust, and interact with actors in the field. Based… The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the methodological concept of reflexivity supports fieldwork and knowledge creation when doing fieldwork in Greenland. The paper primarily focuses on how researchers navigate unfamiliar contexts, build trust, and interact with actors in the field. Based on fieldwork in two very different settings, the authors describe how reflexivity plays a significant role in Greenland research. This paper reports on two separate fieldwork studies. The two studies interweave as they explore the reflexive journeys taken in the two very different contexts. While reflexivity plays out in two different social contexts, the two studies explore how researchers respond to unfolding events. Study A) set out to investigate homelessness in Tasiilaq but changed direction to embrace new developments in the local context. A unique opportunity arose due to a broadcast sent via Denmark’s Radio. Thus, the researcher in the field responded by broadening his interview guide and focus. Study B) discusses how leadership unfolds in a fish processing factory in Nuuk. The researcher emerged in everyday organizational life, observing day-to-day management based on participative observations and shadowing techniques. Fieldwork is an evolving, fluid, and ever-changing enterprise. Despite their outset, all research projects can change course or fold due to challenges or unforeseen circumstances (Perry, 2020; Rasmussen, 2020). During fieldwork, the researcher establishes relations within a setting and must build and maintain trust throughout (ibid). We discuss how the research emerge and unfold as a reflexive journey where research questions and general inquiries are formed by the empirical activities and theoretical input and qualified by an intuitive and interpretive research process (Alvesson & Sköldberg, 2009; Mead, 1932). When we refer to this reflexive process, we mean the reflexive process advanced by Mead (1934) as “turning back of the experience of the individual upon himself” (Mead, 1934, p. 134). The reflexive “turning back experience” in fieldwork provides access to new understandings delivering explanatory abstractions about the field of study (Yanow, 2009). Reflexivity comes about through the researcher’s intuitive reactions, active roles, and field relationships. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

This paper explores the interactions and processes that empower researchers to qualify and change research questions during fieldwork. Turning to the concepts of reflexivity, reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action gives a valuable understanding of the processes that qualify research projects whi… This paper explores the interactions and processes that empower researchers to qualify and change research questions during fieldwork. Turning to the concepts of reflexivity, reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action gives a valuable understanding of the processes that qualify research projects while they are happening. Reporting on two separate fieldwork studies in Greenland, the paper explores how the researchers respond to unfolding events in the two different Greenlandic contexts. Study A) investigated homelessness in Tasiilaq but changed direction to embrace new national and local developments. A unique opportunity arose due to a broadcast sent via Denmark’s Radio. Consequently, the researcher in the field responded by broadening the interview guide and scope of the study. Study B) discusses how leadership unfolds in fish processing factories in Nuuk and Maniitsoq. The researcher emerged in everyday organisational life, observing day-to-day activities based on participant observations, shadowing, conversations, and interviews. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

En udsendelse fra Danmarks Radio fremhævede i år alvorlige sociale problemer blandt børn og unge i Tasiilaq i Østgrønland – og udsendelsen fremhævede også alvorlige mangler i den sociale indsats. I udsendelsen hævdes det, at kommunen og dens ansatte ikke reagerede eller ikke reagerede tilstrækkeligt… En udsendelse fra Danmarks Radio fremhævede i år alvorlige sociale problemer blandt børn og unge i Tasiilaq i Østgrønland – og udsendelsen fremhævede også alvorlige mangler i den sociale indsats. I udsendelsen hævdes det, at kommunen og dens ansatte ikke reagerede eller ikke reagerede tilstrækkeligt nok, når de modtog underretninger fra fagfolk. I denne artikel tager vi udgangspunkt i situationen i Tasiilaq gennem DR’s udsendelse ”Byen hvor børn forsvinder” – og med afsæt i en række kvalitative interviews med offentligt ansatte i byen. Vi anlægger et socialpolitisk perspektiv på temaet som en case ved bl.a. at se på situationen fra de offentlige ansattes perspektiv – og gennem analyser af mulige udfordringer i en del af en offentlig socialadministration, som dels skal udføres lokalt i Tasiilaq, og dernæst en distanceret efterbehandling på den anden side af Indlandsisen i Nuuk. Hvilke udfordringer giver det i den fremtidige beskyttelse af byens børn og unge? Read more

Communication | Formidling

Vi skal udvikle folkeskolen for børnenes skyld – ikke for lærernes, forældrenes, forvaltningen eller politikernes skyld. Derfor skal vi have mere fokus på at skabe tillidsfulde relationer, skriver Gitte Løvgren fra Odsherred Kommune og Kevin Perry fra AAU.

Teaching | Undervisning - peer review

One view on trust that has largely gone unexamined in the literature is the process perspective. The process perspective advances the view that trust develops over time in the local context through a history of interaction between knowledgeable social actors. The term ‘knowledgeable social actor’ im… One view on trust that has largely gone unexamined in the literature is the process perspective. The process perspective advances the view that trust develops over time in the local context through a history of interaction between knowledgeable social actors. The term ‘knowledgeable social actor’ implies that individuals respond actively to unfolding events in the context and modify their responses to meet changes in circumstances. Within a process perspective, this chapter looks closely at the relationships between a group of young men with minority ethnic backgrounds, a team of youth workers, a job consultant and a police officer, to shed light on trust- and distrust-building processes. This chapter addresses the frames used by the young men to organize public sector employees, either as trusting or distrusting, together with some of the cultural tools used to construct these frames. The key question that the chapter considers is: how can trust and distrust be understood as cultural frames? The research reveals that both trust and distrust can be influenced and manipulated through social interaction over time and through the subsequent sense-making processes in the particular context. The chapter contributes towards understanding of the micro-processes at play in trust- and distrust-building processes. Read more

Research | Forskning

This thesis deals with the phenomenon of distrust and trust between young men with minority ethnic backgrounds and public sector employees at the face-to-face level of interaction. The focus is on trust and distrust which can be understood as cultural resources – a valuable approach to researching t… This thesis deals with the phenomenon of distrust and trust between young men with minority ethnic backgrounds and public sector employees at the face-to-face level of interaction. The focus is on trust and distrust which can be understood as cultural resources – a valuable approach to researching trust and distrust largely under-represented in the trust literature. A common source of conflict is often a lack of confidence or distrust in the authorities; therefore, winning the confidence of minority ethnic groups in these communities is essential to easing tensions, along with reducing civil unrest, antisocial behaviour, crime and unnecessary public spending. The purpose of this in-depth study, based on nine months of ethnographic fieldwork in and around two residential housing estates, is to contribute towards understanding the microprocesses at play in distrust and trust building processes between public sector employees and young men with minority ethnic backgrounds, an under-researched and often misunderstood area. The central focus is on the relationship between the young men with minority ethnic backgrounds, a team of youth workers, a job consultant and a police officer. This study explores the relationships from the perspectives of some of the young men and the aforementioned professionals, thus exploring the relationship from both sides of the coin. The thesis draws primarily on data gathered during fieldwork i.e. in-depth and ethnographic interviews, observations and artefacts such as media and local authority reports. In addition to the empirical material, the study explores a key governmental policy to investigate how the (previous) government names and frames people with minority ethnic backgrounds. Analysing this policy helps to locate the fieldwork and interactants into the wider cultural and structural context, while at the same time, contributes towards explaining why some local authority actors use certain frames and not others when talking about the young men with minority ethnic backgrounds. A number of research questions have guided the process which revolves around the experiences of the young men with minority ethnic backgrounds and the aforementioned professionals. The problem formulation is: How can trust (and distrust) be understood as a cultural resource and what are the implications for public sector employees who work with young men with minority ethnic backgrounds in the community? The thesis offers a discussion of the theoretical framework, methodological and ethical considerations along with issues pertaining to reliability and validity. Thereafter follow five analytical sections, the first of which offers a unique insight into the dynamics and mechanisms at play when a researcher (outsider) first enters a field setting. Amongst other methodological issues, this chapter presents a theoretical discussion about the significance of trust in relation to the researcher entering the field. Subsequently, the thesis reports finding one: Governmental Distrust Frames, which derives from analysing the aforementioned key government policy document. Next the thesis reports finding two: local authority institutionalised distrust frames. Through focusing on the ethnographic, this section explores the attitudes of some local authority actors towards a group of young men with minority ethnic backgrounds who reside in and hang out in a local residential housing estate. The main focus of this chapter is on the relationship between a team of youth workers and the young men, which can be described best as highly distrustful. Following this, the thesis reports finding three: trust and distrust as cultural frames or resources. The fieldwork data suggest that the young men with minority ethnic backgrounds use trust and distrust as cultural frames (resources) to organise their relationships with public sector employees. During this process, they rely upon a number of cultural tools such as injustice and justice to create both distrust and trust frames around individual employees. The last analytical chapter reports finding four: negotiating cultural frames. The last part of the chapter looks closer at the relationship between the young men with minority ethnic backgrounds, the job consultant and the police officer to consider how they negotiate cultural frames to achieve and maintain trust. The final chapter sets out the conclusions and implications for theory, research and practice and proposes some recommendations for practice based on the findings and conclusions of the study. This chapter outlines the overall contributions of the thesis along with the limitations and recommendations for future research. Read more

Research | Forskning

Governments around the world advance innovation as a significant means to improving public services (Walker, 2006:311). Within this discussion the word innovation seems to be used habitually by policy makers where there are high expectations in relation to reviving, boosting and renewing the flaggin… Governments around the world advance innovation as a significant means to improving public services (Walker, 2006:311). Within this discussion the word innovation seems to be used habitually by policy makers where there are high expectations in relation to reviving, boosting and renewing the flagging economies and the public sector services. Within this context, innovation in the public sector is recognized as a vital factor in meeting the challenges of globalization and demographic changes, and simultaneously sustaining a high level of public services to citizens and businesses. However, there is ambiguity and disagreement in the ‘literature’ with no universally accepted definition (National Audit Office 2006; Becheikh, N. et al 2007) about what innovation is, And about what deserves to be classified as an ‘innovation’ (Hartley 2005; Moore and Hartley 2008; Osborne 2008). Through reviewing the literature concerning innovation theory and the more recent literature on innovation in the public sector this paper compares and contrasts both definitions and classifications of innovation in an effort to shed more light on this complex area. Read more

Research | Forskning

This paper explores the interactions and processes that empower researchers to qualify and change research questions during fieldwork. Turning to the concepts of reflexivity, reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action gives a valuable understanding of the processes that qualify research projects whi… This paper explores the interactions and processes that empower researchers to qualify and change research questions during fieldwork. Turning to the concepts of reflexivity, reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action gives a valuable understanding of the processes that qualify research projects while they are happening. Reporting on two separate fieldwork studies in Greenland, the paper explores how the researchers respond to unfolding events in the two different Greenlandic contexts. Study A) investigated homelessness in Tasiilaq but changed direction to embrace new national and local developments. A unique opportunity arose due to a broadcast sent via Denmark’s Radio. Consequently, the researcher in the field responded by broadening the interview guide and scope of the study. Study B) discusses how leadership unfolds in fish processing factories in Nuuk and Maniitsoq. The researcher emerged in everyday organisational life, observing day-to-day activities based on participant observations, shadowing, conversations, and interviews. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

The past three decades have seen the population of Greenland declining, with inhabitants moving to Denmark. Often, they do so in search of work or educational opportunities, while others want better social care and services. In recent years, homelessness has become a significant cause of concern (Ch… The past three decades have seen the population of Greenland declining, with inhabitants moving to Denmark. Often, they do so in search of work or educational opportunities, while others want better social care and services. In recent years, homelessness has become a significant cause of concern (Christensen et al. 2017) with increasing numbers of people living rough, with few shelters, inadequate housing, and arctic weather conditions. During this presentation, the housing situation in Greenland’s capital Nuuk is at focus, and I argue for creating and simulating infrastructure development through enhanced social planning (ESP) to meet demographic challenges. Enhanced social planning involves the regeneration and development of housing areas and communities. When adopted as a mechanism, the concept of social planning can play a crucial role in creating inhabitable communities, affordable housing, thriving economies, social cohesion, and diversity. ESP takes its point of departure in the underlying principles of social justice (equity, access, participation, and rights) and aims to enhance community well-being and effectiveness. ESP involves planning for communities and their inhabitants through deliberate action and policy implementation combined with regional and other strategical activities. Read more