PhD-project: 

In my PhD-project, I explore how help and support provided by the child welfare works for young adults between 18-24 with cross-cultural backgrounds. More specifically, I look at what kind of help is given, how useful the help is deemed and how young adults themselves have participated in the decision-making process. My aim is to address knowledge gaps and contribute to equitable access to support in the transition to adulthood for young adults with cross-cultural backgrounds. 

I have applied a participatory approach in the initial stages of the project. 

Others: 

• F25- to date: Board member of the Board of Faculty, Faculty of Psychology
• F25- to date: 1st substitute member of the Board of University
• S23 - to date: Board member of PsykStip (PhD-committee)
• S23 - to date: Coordinator of research group, Child Welfare, Equity and Inclusion
• F22 - to date: Board member of GHIG (research school)

I have contributed as a guest lecturer, keynote speaker, and panelist at various national, international and Nordic events. My dissemination activities include academic presentations, public talks, podcast hosting, and professional development seminars. Key themes include:

• cross-cultural childhoods
• aftercare in child welfare
• anti-oppressive practice
• cultural humility in child and family work
• critical perspectives on culture
• as well as topics related to social justice (Gaza and the role of the universities).

Recent academic presentations/work: 

• F25: Aftercare in a cross-cultural perspective, Doctoral Researcher Conference, Royal Holloway, University of London.
• F25: Aftercare in a Cross-Cultural perspectives, Gounty Governor of Vestland.
• F25: Leaving Care in Cross-Cultural perspectives - preliminary findings, EUSARF 2025, Transformation, Transition and Innovation in Child Welfare, Zagreb
• S25: Leaving Care in Cross-Cultural perspectives - preliminary findings, , Practising Intersectionality in Child Protection: Making Sense of the lived experiences of racially minoritised children and bridging the gap between policy, research and practice, University of Kent
• S25: Leaving Care in Cross-Cultural perspectives: sole facilitator of in-service training day for Child Welfare Services for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, Bergen Municipality  

Podcasts: 

• Podcast host of: The Everyday Global Citizen Podcast. A podcast about how we can create a more just and inclusive world as global citizens.
• Podcast host of: Veien til Doktorgrad (The Journey to a PhD) (In Norwegian). A podcast about what pursuing a PhD entails and why one should consider an academic career.
• Podcast host of:  Hvor kommer du egentlig fra? (Where Are You Really From?) (In Norwegian). A podcast exploring cross-cultural upbringing and how to embrace cultural diversity in society.

• Grading and assessment work in different courses
• Teacher and course leader in collaboration with Sara Janke in Mabva402, F25, F24: Decision-making processes and legal framework in the child welfare services
• Teacher in Mabva HEM303, S23, S24, S25: Qualitative methods.
• Teacher in Mabva317, S24, S25: Childhood and parenting in diverse context.
• Guest lecturer at NLA University College, S25: Cross-cultural perspectives in work with children and families
• Guest lecturer at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), F24: Cross-cultural perspectives in relational work
• Teacher and course leader in collaboration with Ragnhild Hollekim in MABVA402, F23: Decision-making processes and legal framework in the child welfare services
• Spring 2023: Developed the master's course MABVA402 (decision-making processes and legal framework in child welfare) in collaboration with Ragnhild Hollekim
• Supervisor of master thesis, S23

• Heimli, O.M., Kvestad I., Bøe, T., Larsen, M.J., Sayyad, N., Randal, S., Askeland, G.K. (2025). Health-Related Quality of Life Among Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Settled in a Norwegian Municipality. Journ Child Adol Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-025-00698-x
• Heimli, O.M., Kvestad, I., Bøe, T. Sayyad, N., Nilsen, S.A., Randal, S.B. & Askeland, K.G. (2024). Protective factors associated with resilience among unaccompanied refugee minors after settling in Norway: a matched cross-sectional study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 33, 2813–2822 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02364-9
• Nilsen SA, Kvestad I, Randal SB, Hysing M, Sayyad N, Bøe T. (2022) Mental health among unaccompanied refugee minors after settling in Norway: A matched cross-sectional study. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.
• Kvestad, I., Bøe, T., Sayyad, N., Skogen, J.C., Randal, S. og Lehman, S. (2021) Potential traumatic events and symptoms of post-traumatic stress in unaccompanied refugee minors—a comparison with youth in foster care. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
• Kvestad, I., Randal, S.B., Sayyad, N., Lehman, S. og Bøe, T. (2021) Study design: Pathways to Independence – A study of unaccompanied minor refugees settled in a Norwegian city municipality. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.
• Sayyad, N., Randal, S.B., Bøe, T. og Kvestad, I. (2021) Det var godt å si det jeg hadde på hjertet. Når stemmen til enslige mindreårige flyktninger bidrar til tjenesteutvikling og ny kunnskap. (In Norwegian). Tidsskriftet Norges Barnevern, 2021(02), s. 122-135.
• Sayyad, N. (2016) Why is the Right to Freedom of Movement a pre-requisite to the enjoyment of human rights, and a necessity for a sound psychosocial health? – Multidisciplinary perspectives on the impact of movement restrictions in the West Bank. Masteroppgave. Colchester: University of Essex.

Kronikker

• Sayyad, N. (2024). Jeg skammer meg over UiBs feighet. (In Norwegian) Bergens Tidende, 07.02.2024. Link here. .
• Sayyad, N. (2023). Kall meg antisemitt. Kall meg terrorist. Jeg bryr meg ikke. (In Norwegian) Bergens Tidende, 08.12. Link here.
• Sayyad, N. (2022). Patriarkatet rammer både jenter og gutter. (In Norwegian) Flyt Frem, 07.08. Link here.
• Sayyad, N. (2022). Jenten fikk ikke gå i bukser. Det betyr ikke at foreldrene hennes er skurker. (In Norwegian) Bergens Tidende, 27.02. Link here.
• Sayyad, N. (2021). Uten bedre integrering, oppnår vi ikke 2030-målet. (In Norwegian) Nettavisen, 21.11. Link here.
• Sayyad, N. (2020). Disse foreldrene må bli mer synlige i det offentlige rom. (In Norwegian) Bergens Tidende, 17.01. Link here.