Asgeir Falch-Eriksen

Asgeir is an Associate Professor II at the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism, and a senior researcher at Oslo Metropolitan University.

Asgeir has extensive competence in Political theory, Trust theory, Public administration and the Politics of families and child protection. His research is empirically focused on children’s rights and child protection.

What are you working on right now?

I have just finished a lecture-series on social work as a human rights profession. However, I am a researcher, and so I am editing three books (one on the concept of generation, one on children’s participation, and a last one on modern citizenship in stable welfare states) and contribute in two projects. My research almost always deals with rights, and how rights work on street-level.

What does a typical day for you look like?

Usually a combination of procrastination and productive work. I write.

Can you describe your office space?

I have four computer screens and work digitally all the time. I do have two shelves of books, but they are collecting dust as I have transitioned to a fully digital monster.

Is there a book you’d recommend within your field?

Between facts and norms by Jurgen Habermas, and System of the Professions by Andrew Abbott. They kind of give me thrust.

What is your background?

I fall between three seats: Political science, sociology and law. My degree is in political science.

If you had to choose a different field, what would it be?

Carpenter. Not a religious thing, but I truly enjoy woodworking.

What do you like most about your job? And what do you like the least?

I enjoy the freedom it bestows upon me and the responsibility it gives. I dislike when that freedom is threatened.

Is there a TV-show you are binging?

Yes. Star Trek, Mandelorian, The Walking Dead, Lovecraft Country, Yellowstone (I watch a lot of TV)

What are you listening to these days?

Podcasts on US politics. It is two weeks till election, and so music is not an option. I will get back to classical music and jazz. Especially Brahms and Herbie Hancock.

If you were prime minister for a day, what would you do?

Initiate a constitutional convention.

Your friend sets you up on a blind date with someone famous – who do you hope it is?

My friends would never do that without knowing. I would reduce the friendship into a tiny handshake on maximum annual basis.

What’s on your nightstand?

I just got one, and so there is nothing. It will never be a book. But, it could be headphones as I listen to podcasts.

Which podcast are you listening to right now and why?

The New Abnormal, Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, FiveThirtyEight Politics, The Lincoln Project, Lovett or Leave it, Monocle 24, The Foreign Desk, Political Gabfest, Trumpcast. Not all of them every week, but most of them every week.