“Equality is a theme that can be used as an analytical tool in any discipline. That’s why we are awarding five master’s grants to students who choose to highlight topics related to equality, inclusion, and diversity. All students, regardless of study program, may apply.”
That’s according to Thea Mujkic Litschi, adviser at The Centre for Gender and Equality at UiA.
Litschi, who is responsible for this year’s grants, emphasizes that equality does not necessarily have to be the main theme of the thesis.
“But it must be a central perspective in the analysis,” she says.
Applications are assessed based on the quality of the project description, relevance, and regional context. Theses focusing on Agder will be prioritized.
Suggested Topics
The Centre for Gender and Equality works with a broad understanding of equality. This means we are concerned with all the grounds for discrimination recognized in law:
Gender, ethnicity, religion and beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and age.
Pregnancy, parental leave, and care responsibilities are also protected against discrimination.
One of the grants is earmarked for topics related to gender and sexual diversity. The Centre for Equality can also provide tips on sources and resources for students wishing to explore this further.
How to Apply
- Write an application: Briefly introduce yourself, your master’s program, the topic of your thesis, and your motivation. Explain why the topic is relevant and how it connects to equality. Include the name of your supervisor (this can be submitted later).
- Attach a project outline (max. 3 pages): The outline should include the topic, research question, choice of theory and method, and a progress plan. Please note: If these requirements are not met, your application will not be considered.
- Attach confirmation of admission to a master’s program at UiA: For example, a screenshot from Studentweb.
- Submit your application by October 1, 2026.
Grant Criteria
If your application is approved, the grant will be paid in two installments: half when you begin your thesis with a supervisor in place, and the remainder when the thesis is submitted and approved.
Grant recipients will also be invited to two writing seminars during 2027. These seminars offer students the chance to discuss their projects and share experiences. Participation in at least one seminar is required.
“We want to support students throughout the process, not only financially,” says Litschi.
“That’s why we emphasize both academic follow-up and dissemination of the work.”
After submission, recipients must share their results with The Centre for Gender and Equality and other interested parties—either by presenting at a seminar or through an interview for a UiA web article.
Examples of Previous Master’s Grant Recipients
Refugee consultants work very differently
A new master’s thesis reveals that refugee consultants in Norwegian municipalities often take on care roles beyond what is expected.
Originally published in December 2023. Written by Knut Knudsen Eigeland.
Sociology student Kari Julie Kvåle has taken a closer look at the work refugee consultants do in Norway.
In her master’s thesis, she explored:
- What are the formal and informal role expectations of refugee consultants, and how do these expectations influence their work with Syrian and Ukrainian refugees?
The backdrop is the waves of refugees arriving in Norway in recent years.
In 2011, war broke out in Syria. In 2015, Norway received 10 500 asylum applications from Syria, followed by 3 000 quota refugees the year after. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, and since then, over 67 000 Ukrainians have sought asylum in Norway.
Kvåle conducted a qualitative study by interviewing eight refugee consultants in Agder. Her thesis focuses on their experiences. Her choice of topic earned her a master’s grant from the Centre for Equality.
Among the consultants’ formal responsibilities is guiding refugees through Norway’s introduction programme.
“There are different expectations for different groups,” Kvåle says. “Syrian refugees typically complete the programme over several years, while Ukrainian refugees are expected to transition quickly into work.”
The pressure on refugee consultants is high.
“They rely heavily on support from civil society, including volunteers and leisure services,” she explains.
Her thesis also revealed wide variation in how consultants carry out their work, largely due to differences in how municipalities interpret national policies.
In terms of informal role expectations, Kvåle found that:
- Empathy and understanding foster trust between refugees and consultants
- Consultants often take on caregiving roles
- Refugees may become dependent on their consultants
“One refugee told their consultant about sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety,” Kvåle explains. “But when the consultant arranged a doctor’s appointment, the refugee didn’t share these details, because the doctor never asked.”
“It shows the unique trust built between refugees and their consultants.”
She also recounts several illustrative examples where one consultant showed the TV series Skam for refugees. Another consultant took refugees to an adult store (Kondomeriet) to introduce aspects of Western views on sexuality. A third visited a refugee family at home to teach the father how to cook.
“The refugee coordinators did this to introduce aspects of Norwegian culture that might be useful to know about, even if one doesn’t like seeing young people drinking alcohol in Skam or visiting an adult store. This illustrates the kind of resourcefulness some refugee coordinators bring to their work.” Kvåle sais.
Kari Julie Kvåle concludes that a municipality’s resources greatly affect its capacity and the quality of integration work. She also notes that those she interviewed were often critical of Norway’s integration guidelines.
“At the same time, such criticism may signal opportunities for future improvements,” she adds.
Kvåle emphasizes that the findings reflect personal perspectives and experiences shared by the refugee consultants she interviewed.
“There is no room in society to explore gender”
Performance artist RAVN wants us to embrace exploration as adults.
Originally published in June 2023. Written by Knut Knudsen Eigeland.
“It’s not okay to explore in this society. There’s an understanding that children and youth need to explore a lot, but within certain limits. They can, for example, dye their hair a crazy color, as long as they follow certain social norms. If you do the same as an adult, people get confused, and they think you are confused.” says Liam Eric Bula.
As part of his master’s thesis, he created the exhibition “RAVN: A performative exploration of gender, transformation, and identity” at ARKIVET Peace and Human Rights Centre in Kristiansand.
The exhibition consists of video performance and live performance art.
Exploration plays a central role in Bula’s work. Presented under the artist name RAVN, the exhibition was set up in the basement locker rooms. Visitors were invited to explore the space themselves. With only a few hints, it was up to them to open lockers and bathroom doors to discover what was inside.
Clothing once worn by Bula was hung throughout the space, and several projectors displayed pre-recorded videos—many of them featuring Bula.
He also used his own body in live performances while the exhibition was open.
The choice of a locker room as the venue was deliberate, highlighting the discomfort many feel when having to choose which locker room to use—for example, at the gym.
“I feel I can express things in a more real and vulnerable way than I can through other types of visual art. I’ve worked with many different art forms, but it’s performance art that has stayed with me,” says Bula.
As the artist RAVN, he explores identity, gender, and performative transformation over time in a heteronormative society.
In the artistic process, Bula used Judith Butler’s theory on gender performativity and Sara Ahmed’s queer phenomenology as theoretical tools.
RAVN questions the heteronormative matrix by navigating the world through performance and creating a path of his own. What expectations does society place on us and our bodies? In what ways can we challenge those norms?
Are roles, actions, expressions, and body language performative? Is there space in society to explore gender?
“Honestly, I hope people leave with more questions than answers after seeing the exhibition. That they turn inward and ask themselves if they’ve really thought about these things,” says Bula.
For his thesis topic, Liam was awarded a 15,000 NOK grant in spring 2023 from The Competence Unit for Diversity of Gender and Sexual at The Centre for Gender and Equality.
He chose the research question: “How can a performative exploration of gender contribute to transform my own identity?”
“I’ve researched myself and examined performativity in my everyday life,” says Bula, adding that the thesis doesn’t contain a strict conclusion—something that’s uncommon in the arts.
If he had to summarize it in one word, it would be exploration, says Liam Eric Bula. He adds: “There is no room in society to explore gender without it becoming such a big deal!”
WATCH VIDEO ABOUT THE EXHIBITION