The Network for Carer Research serves as a facilitator for research activities within the field of informal caregiving. Network representatives participate in national and international programme committees and contribute to stakeholder-oriented arenas, including both digital and physical network seminars.
Network for Carer Research was established at the University of Stavanger in 2013. In 2018, responsibility for coordinating the Network was incorporated into SHARE. In 2025, the Network comprised approximately 260 affiliated members, including researchers, healthcare professionals, service leaders, students, and representatives from user and stakeholder organisations.
The primary aim of the Network is to support the development and dissemination of knowledge and competence in informal carer research, primarily by bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, carers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Organisation and coordination
During 2025, a change occurred within the Network’s coordination team. Jicke Höök replaced Solveig Hodne, and the Network extends its sincere thanks to Solveig Hodne for her valuable contributions to the Network’s work.
The Network is coordinated by Cecilie Erga, Eigil Kloster Osmundsen, and Jicke Höök, who are responsible for coordinating activities and for implementing and following up on the Network’s revised five-year strategy (2024-2028).
The Network has a reference group consisting of informal carers, decision-makers within the health and welfare services, and representatives with professional and research expertise. The reference group functions as an advisory body in the Network’s strategic work, including the development of action plans and activities, and operates under its own mandate.
Digital network seminar
On 17 March 2025, the Network organised a digital network seminar.
PhD candidate Maha Kamran (SHARE) gave a presentation entitled “The carer prison: freedom under responsibility”. The presentation explored mechanisms that may explain why some individuals experience the carer role as burdensome, while others perceive it as meaningful. Time was allocated for discussion.
Judith Izurieta presented her master’s project entitled “Carers with refugee or immigrant backgrounds – a qualitative study”. She presented the project’s aim and research question, which examine how carers with refugee or immigrant backgrounds experience support from Norwegian mental health services, and invited input from Network members regarding challenges related to recruitment.
In addition, Solveig Hodne contributed input on legal aspects of the carer role, focusing on juridical frameworks relevant to carers.
Physical network meeting
On 15 October 2025, the Network’s coordinators organised the first physical network meeting at the University of Stavanger.
The meeting brought together participants from research, clinical practice, education, service leadership, and user organisations. The programme consisted of presentations and panel discussions focusing on carers’ experiences and their involvement in health and welfare services.
The programme addressed carers in a range of contexts, including mental health services, forensic psychiatry, and palliative care. Topics also included children and siblings as carers, as well as organisational and systemic conditions shaping carer involvement and support.
The meeting included a panel discussion that provided an opportunity to explore themes raised during the presentations, such as balancing patient and carer needs, challenges related to information sharing and legal frameworks, and expectations placed on carers across care pathways.
The meeting concluded with a joint discussion among participants. Several participants expressed a wish for future physical network meetings. You can find information about participants and topics here: Fysisk nettverkssamling med Nettverk for pårørendeforskning | Universitetet i Stavanger, and read more about the days content here: Sterkt engasjement på fysisk samling med Nettverk for pårørendeforskning | Universitetet i Stavanger