Researchers at the Faculty of Law receives millions for new research on crime and punishment

The norwegian research council has recently announced this year's grants in the category "Democracy and global development". Amongst those who received founding, was the two applicants from the Faculty of Law at The University of Bergen. 

Dean of research Ragna Aarli, is pleased, as she points out that it has traditionally been difficult for legal research projects to obtain external funding. 

– There is fierce competition for funding from the Norwegian research council, so that our two projects have been approved is very gratifying, Aarli says. 

Challenges in the enforcement of punishment

Associate professor Henriette Tøssebro will receive NOK 7 million for the project Exploring Contemporary Legal Challenges to the Execution of Punishment (EX-PUN), which is a collaboration with researchers at Nalsar University of Law in India. 

The purpose of the project is to explore the legal challenges that arise in the enforcement of punishment. 

Tøssebro, who joined UiB in August this year, applied for funding in the category “Early Career Research Project.” Four of 23 applications in the category received funding.

– Henriette Tøssebro has impressed by winning with her first project application. With this comparative project on the enforcement of sentences, she is establishing herself as a new driving force in the criminal law community, Aarli says.

Crime among children and young people 

Professor Linda Gröning has been awarded NOK 12 million for the project Protecting child rights and public safety: Premises for the integration of the child's best interest and crime prevention (PROTECT). 

The project will assess how we can best protect the rights of children and young people who commit crimes, while at the same time safeguarding public safety. 

The Department of Politics and Public Administration at the Faculty of Social Sciences is a partner in the project, with Marit Skivenes serving as project manager alongside Gröning. The project has received funding in the category “Research project for innovation.” Of 187 applications in the category, 30 projects were approved.

– Linda Grøning is one of our strongest researchers. The new project will provide new knowledge about the legal status of children, and we are proud that this research will take place at UiB, says Dean of Research Aarli.

Both projects will start in 2025, and the money will be used, among other things, to hire fellows and postdocs.