Programme for the Polyfon conference 2026: Part I
The Polyfon conference takes place over two days. The first day features a shared conference programme with keynote sessions and parallel presentations. The second day is devoted to seminars, where different professional fields and networks meet for learning and exchange of experiences. Here you will find the programme for the conference day. Please note that the conference language is Norwegian unless otherwise stated.
Conference programme, 12 November
Please note that the programme is subject to change.
Conference host: Geir Davidsen, Head of Department, Grieg Academy, University of Bergen
09:00-09:30 Registration, coffee and fruit. Poster exhibition in the common area.
09:30-09:45 Music performance by Optimistenes sangverksted (external link)
09:45-10:00 Opening and welcome address
- Robin Sohrabi-Shiraz (music therapist and PhD candidate in health sciences, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital / OsloMet)
- Steve Johansen (lived experience representative)
Musical performance by Steve Johansen.
10:40-11:10 BREAK / Staffed poster exhibition in the common area, "Storstuen".
- Kaja Elise Enge (Associate Professor, Grieg Academy, UiB)
- Hans Petter Paulen Solli (Associate Professor, Norwegian Academy of Music)
- Marie Strand Skånland (Associate Professor, Ansgar University College)
11:50-12:00 Film screening
12:00-12:50 LUNCH
12:50-15:05 Parallel sessions (see detailed programme below)
15:05-15:25 BREAK / poster exhibition in "Storstuen".
- Rita Sørly (Director, Arctic Youth Research Centre)
- Leonora Eriksen (student, NLA University College Oslo and Arctic Youth collaborator)
Musical performance by Leonora Eriksen.
16:05-16:10 Closing remarks
Parallel sessions and networking opportunities
Each presentation lasts approximately 25 minutes, including questions and discussion, followed by a 10-minute break to allow participants to move between sessions. Presentation formats: (P) = Practice presentation, (F) = Research presentation, (E) = Lived experience presentation, (I) = Input for reflection and discussion.
Track 1: Growing up and flourishing
12:50-13:15 (F)
More than coping? Cultural leisure activities and mental health among young people
Ingelill Eide & Kenneth Larsen
13:25-13:50 (P)
Community and difference: Experiences from group music therapy programmes for young people
Guro Parr Klyve & Anita Barsnes
14:00-14:25 (P)
Music therapy in upper secondary education
Nathalie Ponroy
14:35-15:05 Networking opportunity
Children and young people's development and wellbeing
Track 2: Mental health and substance use (adults)
12:50-13:25 (F/E)
Flourishing through vulnerability
Bettina Flater, Anne Malerbakken & Silje Rasmussen Sandnes
13:25-13:50 (F)
The liberating power of music in mental health and substance use services
Hanna Elisa Haraldsen
14:00-14:25 (P)
Music listening in the music therapy landscape
Monika Overå & Svein Fuglestad
14:35-15:05 Networking opportunity
Mental health and substance use
Track 3: Music therapy and citizenship
12:50–13:15 (F)
Music as citizenship: Experiences from Skranglefest
Lars Tuastad, Tora Söderström Gaden, Otto Gjesdal Kveinå & Daniel Grue Garcés
13:25–13:50 (F)
Experiences with the three-step model for music therapy and mental health in Bergen
Lars Tuastad, Alexander Bjotveit Østerholt, Vegard Wikne & Øystein Lydvo
14:00–14:25 (P)
Rockovery Innlandet: Creating opportunities through a regional music therapy event
Adrian Wangberg
14:35–15:05 Networking opportunity
Healthy ageing
Track 4a: New roles and collaborations
12:50–13:15 (P)
The music therapist as a primary contact (case manager) in a FACT team
Merete Hagen
13:25–13:50 (P)
When the concert hall becomes an extended therapy room
Eva Mari Andreasen & Audhild Wessmann
14:00–14:25 (P)
Music therapy in practice: experiences from a dementia project in Stavanger Municipality
Isabelle Dalhaug, Ruth Haslerud, Solveig Høivik & Stina Palm
Track 4b: The potential harms of music
14:35–15:00 (F)
More Than a Soundtrack
Megan Kovacs
Practical information
Streaming the conference
Attending the conference in person offers the fullest conference experience, particularly because of the parallel sessions after lunch and the opportunities for networking and informal discussions during the breaks.
To support national participation and knowledge sharing across the country, the plenary programme will also be streamed free of charge. This allows participants to follow the conference online, whether they are in Alta, Arendal or elsewhere in Norway.
Streaming link:
The link will be published here approximately one week before the conference.
Please note: If there are any problems with the streaming link above, we will switch to a backup stream.
Course accreditation
The Polyfon conference 2026 has received the following accreditation:
Norwegian Psychological Association
Approved as a continuing professional development course for specialists, equivalent to 6 hours.
Norwegian Medical Association
- General practice: Approved for 6 elective credits for doctors in specialist training (previous scheme) and for specialists' continuing professional development.
- Addiction medicine: Approved for 6 hours as an elective course for doctors in specialist training (previous scheme) and for specialists' continuing professional development.
Accessibility
Conference venue (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Kronstad Campus)
- The conference venue is accessible for wheelchair users.
- All rooms used during the conference have step-free access and are located on the ground floor.
- Conference registration will take place in Storstuen (the foyer), to the left of the main entrance to HVL, next to Mimes Brønn.
Getting to the conference venue
- Whether you are travelling from the airport or Bergen city centre, you can take the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen) to the campus. The nearest stop is Kronstad.
- Travel time from the city centre to Kronstad is approximately 10 minutes. Travel time from the airport is approximately 40 minutes.
- The light rail is accessible for wheelchair users.
- There are 11 accessible parking spaces at Kronstad Campus, available free of charge for holders of a disabled parking permit.
Hearing impairment
- An induction loop system is available in Mimes Brønn.
- FM transmitters are available in the rooms used for parallel sessions.
Quiet room
A quiet room is available for conference participants. See Quiet rooms, nursing rooms and baby-changing facilities at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
Several such rooms are available at Kronstad Campus. The closest is room B225, located on the second floor near the upper/rear entrance to Mimes Brønn.
If you need access, please contact a conference organiser to borrow a key card (look for staff wearing a red Polyfon T-shirt).
Asthma or allergies?
- All conference rooms are carpet-free.