Nanette Bjerring Fournier Kruse

Short presentation

In my current research, I am focusing on ageing, loneliness and social relations. I have a background in public health science, and during my studies, I have worked with both qualitative and quantitative methods, predominantly qualitative research. Furthermore, I have especially worked with and in the intersections between the ontologies and methodologies of different academic disciplines, for the most parts in relation to sociology, ethnology, toxicology and epidemiology. 

My main scientific interests are broad concepts of health (social, mental, physical), communication about health issues and how health is practiced, negotiated and understood in everyday life. I am specifically interested in this within the contexts of ageing, interdisciplinary collaboration and (science) communication. Currently, I am in charge of the daily activities in the research project "Elderlearn - when frail older people become volunteers". The project is concerned with volunteering, social relations and loneliness among nursing home residents and home care recipients. My master thesis was a qualitative study of loneliness among older people, where I investigated the social relation between volunteer visitors (befriender/besøgsven) and the older person being visited (befriendee/besøgsvært) - a project I have continuously worked on, both scientifically and in terms of communication.  

Primary fields of research

Aging, loneliness, social relations, health

Current research

Research project "Elderlearn - When frail older people become volunteers" (http://core.ku.dk/news/elderlearn--when-frail-older-people-become-volunteers/)