Barbara is a research coordinator at the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism. She holds a PhD in political science from the University of Bergen. She previously worked as a research assistant, and holds an M.Phil. in Administration and Organization Theory from the University of Bergen.
Barbara has observed organizational theory in practice through positions as HR Manager, Project Manager and People Operations Manager in Berlin. During her studies, she worked as a seminar leader for bachelors’ students, and spent semesters abroad in Ghana and Germany. Barbara has defended her PhD dissertation in 2024, titled “Discretionary Decision-Making in Child Protection Care Order Cases.”
Publications:
- Ruiken, B. (2023). A tale of two cases – investigating reasoning in similar cases with different outcomes. European Journal of Social Work, 0(0), 1–18.
- Ruiken, B. (2022). Analyzing decision-maker’s justifications of care orders for newborn children: Equal and individualized treatment. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 0(0), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2022.2158990
- Ruiken, Barbara (2022) Fylkesnemndas avgjørelser om institusjonsplasseringer av barn og unge – 2021 og 2018. Bergen: Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism, University of Bergen.
- Luhamaa, K., McEwan-Strand, A., Ruiken, B., Skivenes, M., Wingens, F. (2021) Service and Support for Mothers and Newborn Babies in Vulnerable Situations: A Study of Eight European Jurisdictions. Children and Youth Service Review
- Ruiken, Barbara (2016) Power and Politics in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Teams [Master thesis]. Bergen: University of Bergen.
PhD in Political Science (2024) from the University of Bergen with the thesis “Discretionary Decision-Making in Child Protection Care Order Cases.”
M.Phil. in Administration and Organization theory (University of Bergen)
Bachelor in Development studies, with specialization in Administration and Organization theory (University of Bergen)
Get to know Barbara
Your friend sets you up on a blind date with someone famous – who do you hope it is?
Not a date but hanging out – I’d love to go to a BBQ with John Cena. He seems like an all-round lovely person and probably has a ton of good stories from his pro wrestling time.
What’s on your nightstand?
My nightstand is a very old wooden chest used for travelling back in the days that has been passed along in my family. It was originally owned by a Benedictine monk who fled China because of the cultural revolution. My cat likes to scratch it so I’ve had to cover it up, and generally there’s a pile of clothes on it as well. My phone sleeps there too.
Is there a TV-show you are binging?
Anything on Netflix. Send me recommendations!
What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m trying to wrap my head around the discussion part of my first article, analyzing the assessment of risk and protective factors in newborn removal cases with a substance misusing mother. It’s coming along slowly, but very satisfying when some parts finally fall into place.
Updated Winter 2019-2020