This text is translated by UiOGPT.
– This is fantastic. An impressive effort lies behind such an award, and Skirbekk deserves a big congratulations. It is also an honor for PSI and the faculty that such applications succeed, says research leader Espen Røysamb.
Childless Men
The project "Health, Cognition, Family, and Employment among Men" (HOMME) is led by Vegard Skirbekk and is a collaboration between the Department of Psychology (PSI) and Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH).
Skirbekk will study the development in men's physical and mental health from their teens up to their sixties.
– One of the main goals of the project is to examine men without a family and/or a stable job situation, and what distinguishes those who manage to maintain good health and function throughout life from those who experience cognitive and functional decline, he says.
The project will, in particular, look at how changes in technology, culture, and economic conditions can affect men's opportunities and development. Additionally, Skirbekk is interested in studying the effect that greater uncertainty in the job market, as well as fewer men having children and starting families, may have.
– We will likely have the world's most extensive dataset on cognitive development among adult men. Our approaches, research methods, enable a multidisciplinary understanding of what contributes to some men maintaining a high level of function and good health throughout life.
– HOMME will contribute to the knowledge base needed to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time, outlines Skirbekk.
Second ERC Grant
The Advanced Grant is Skirbekk's second prestigious award from the European Research Council (ERC). He received the Starting Grant in 2009.
– This is a significant acknowledgment of our research, the studies we have conducted, the data we have collected, and the topics we focus on.
An Advanced Grant is funded with approximately 26 million Norwegian kroner (2.5 million euros) over five years.
According to Skirbekk, the funds will mainly be used to hire good researchers for the project.
– The ambition is to become world-leading, he says.
Strategic Importance
Espen Røysamb believes the funding will have a significant impact on the institute's research.
– The financing will involve the construction of a new, important, and exciting research project. In addition, the project will have a ripple effect through strengthened method competence, national and international collaboration, and as inspiration for others planning to apply for ERC, concludes the research leader.
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Read more about all ERC awards to the Faculty of Social Sciences in this round
What is Advanced Grant?
The European Research Council (ERC) supports groundbreaking research through attractive, long-term financing across all fields of study.
ERC Advanced Grant is aimed at established researchers with a "track record" showing that they are leading within their field.
Up to 2.5 million euros are granted for a maximum of five years.