Polyfon's advisory council

The advisory council is a professional advisory body within Polyfon, the Norwegian music therapy knowledge cluster. It provides expert advice to the steering group and the secretariat and contributes to the further development of music therapy and music and health as fields of knowledge and practice. Together with the lived experience panel, which represents the user perspective, the advisory council strengthens the cluster's knowledge base.

About the advisory council

Polyfon's advisory council is an independent body of experts that provides advice to the steering group and secretariat on scientific issues and strategic priorities. The council supports the development of music therapy and music and health and helps ensure high quality in research, education and practice across the cluster.

Mandate and responsibilities

The advisory council has an advisory role. It provides input and recommendations but does not make decisions on behalf of the cluster. Its responsibilities include:

  • providing expert advice to the steering group and secretariat on matters related to the development of music therapy and music and health
  • contributing to the further development of Polyfon's professional platform and strategy
  • identifying and highlighting emerging topics, knowledge needs and research questions
  • advising on the professional quality of activities, projects and events across the cluster
  • supporting knowledge sharing and professional collaboration among the cluster partners

Ways of working

The advisory council meets regularly and works closely with Polyfon's secretariat and steering group. The advisory council and steering group meet in person or online at least once a year. The council may raise issues on its own initiative or respond to requests from other bodies within the cluster.

Composition

The advisory council is composed of individuals with expertise in music therapy, music and health, and related fields from across the cluster partners.

Members of the advisory council are appointed for a four-year term.

Members

  • Kari Bjerke Batt-Rawden: Docent in Health Promotion, Department of Health Sciences, NTNU
  • Unni Tanum Johns: Emerita, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
  • Nora Bilalovic Kulset: Head of Department, Department of Music, NTNU
  • Frode Kibsgaard Larsen: PhD Research Fellow / Senior Adviser, Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health
  • Lars Lien: Professor, Innlandet Norway University of Applied Sciences / President, Norwegian Psychiatric Association
  • Ottar Ness: Professor of Counselling Studies / Director, Welfare, NTNU
  • Ánde Somby: Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
  • Rita Sørly: Professor of Social Work, Department of Child Welfare and Social Work, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Contact

If you have any questions for the advisory council or would like to raise an issue for consideration, please contact the Polyfon secretariat.

Emails
polyfon@uib.no
Last updated: 08.10.2026