Academic interests
- Integration and immigration policy
- Public policy and organization
- Multilevel governance
- Organizational theory
- Comparative analyses
Courses taught
Background
- 2022-ongoing: Assistant Professor (20%) at the Department of Political Science, University of Oslo
- 2020-ongoing: Research Professor, NIBR, OsloMet
- 2014-2020: PhD candidate, Department of Political Science, UiO
- 2012-2014: Associate, Forensic (Department of Investigation Services), KPMG Advisory Norway
- 2011-2012: Research Assistant, Department of Political Science, UiO
- 2011-2012: Project Assistant, Rambøll Management Consulting
Publications
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Persson, Tilda & Hernes, Vilde
(2026).
The Bright Side of Recurrent Reorganisations – Increased Coordination, New Policy Tools and Bottom-up Agenda Setting: The Case of Recurrent Ministerial Transfers of the Integration Field in Norway.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration (SPJA).
ISSN 2001-7405.
doi:
10.58235/sjpa.59583.
Full text in Research Archive
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Over the past 20 years, the Norwegian department responsible for immigrant integration has been relocated seven times within the ministerial structure. Yet we know little about how such organisational changes impact policy development, whether recurrent changes produce specific effects, and the role of organisational culture in the processes. The article explores how changes in organisational structure affect three mechanisms in the political process: 1) agenda-setting, 2) policy instruments, and 3) coordination. We find that the main goals for integration have remained stable, but the ministerial affiliation and frequent shifts have influenced the use of policy instruments and interorganisational coordination. Contrary to theoretical expectations of negative effects and resistance to recurrent reorganisations, we find an organisational culture that accepts, nurtures and exploits the opportunities these changes bring about, including greater interorganisational coordination, utilisation of different sectoral toolboxes, and the possibility of putting integration on the agenda in new ministries.
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Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Why Local Governments Support Increased Centralization: An Analysis of Norwegian and Swedish Central–Local Governance of Immigration Integration.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration (SPJA).
ISSN 2001-7405.
29(2),
p. 26–40.
doi:
10.58235/sjpa.22744.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde & Staver, Anne Balke
(2025).
Immigration and Integration Policy.
In Kolltveit, Kristoffer; Allern, Elin Haugsgjerd; Braut-Hegghammer, Målfrid & Rasch, Bjørn Erik (Ed.),
Oxford Handbook of Norwegian Politics.
Oxford University Press.
ISSN 9780198888581.
p. 639–658.
doi:
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198888581.013.0034.
Full text in Research Archive
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Abstract While Norway is highly dependent on migrant workers, immigration has also been portrayed as a threat to social cohesion and the fiscal sustainability of an extensive welfare state. This continual tension forms the backdrop to this chapter’s two research questions: (i) How can we characterize developments in Norwegian immigration and integration policies? and (ii) What are the mechanisms driving policy developments? We first present who the immigrants in Norway are, before we describe main policy developments, from the Pakistani work immigrants’ arrival in the 1970s to the influx of Ukrainian refugees after the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022. We conclude that Norwegian immigrant policies have turned from an initial human rights and humanitarian-centred emphasis towards a more conditional and selective approach. This development is selective in two ways: as a move away from universal policies that treat subgroups the same and as a tool to select the ‘more desired’ immigrants.
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Danielsen, Åsne Øygard & Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Turning Scandinavian integration policies upside down? A comparative analysis of the Scandinavian governments' responses to the influx of displaced persons from Ukraine.
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.
ISSN 1369-183X.
p. 21–21.
doi:
10.1080/1369183x.2025.2565908.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde & Łukasiewicz, Karolina
(2025).
Restrictive, liberal, selective or universal? A cross-national analysis of European countries’ policy response to forced migrants from Ukraine.
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.
ISSN 1369-183X.
52(2),
p. 343–366.
doi:
10.1080/1369183x.2025.2565907.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde; Aasland, Aadne; Deineko, Oleksandra & Myhre, Marthe Handå
(2024).
Where does the future lie? Initial aspirations for return among newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Norway.
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.
ISSN 1369-183X.
doi:
10.1080/1369183X.2024.2383729.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2026).
Restrictive, liberal, selective or universal? A cross-national analysis of European countries’ policy response to forced migrants from Ukraine - presentation for the UK Home Office.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2026).
Integreringsløp og fremtidsutsikter for ukrainske flyktninger i Norge - presentasjon hos Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2026).
Integreringsløp og fremtidsutsikter for ukrainske flyktninger i Norge - presentasjon hos Justisdepartementet.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2026).
Integreringsløp og fremtidsutsikter for ukrainske flyktninger i Norge - presentasjon hos Kunnskapsdepartementets fagmøte.
Full text in Research Archive
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Leirvik, Mariann Stærkebye; Eggebø, Helga; Hernes, Vilde; Liodden, Tone & Danielsen, Åsne Øygard
(2025).
Inntektskravet for permanent opphold – Bidrar det til økt selvforsørgelse, og hvordan oppleves et slikt krav for de som prøver å oppnå det?
Full text in Research Archive
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Staver, Anne Balke & Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Hvordan påvirker penger og økonomiske krav innvandring og integrering i Norge?
Full text in Research Archive
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Staver, Anne Balke; Hernes, Vilde; Eggebø, Helga; Leirvik, Mariann Stærkebye & Liodden, Tone
(2025).
Trygghet koster 325 000,-.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
Permanent opphold betyr at du «ikke lenger trenger å være redd for å bli kastet ut av landet», sa en av deltakerne i forskningsprosjektet vi har jobba med de siste 4 årene.
Hva betyr permanent opphold for folk, og hvilke konsekvenser har det at du må ha en inntekt på 325 400 kroner i året for å fylle vilkårene?
I løpet av forskningsprosjektet «Regulating Migration and Membership through Monetary Requirements (REMIMO)» har forskere ved OsloMet og Nordlandsforskning undersøkt politiske endringsprosesser, migrasjonserfaringer og registerdata for å gi deg svarene på hva penger og permanent opphold betyr for innvandringspolitikken og for de av oss som har innvandret til Norge.
3. desember deler vi nøkkelfunn fra prosjektet. Du får blant annet høre om:
Hvordan universelle velferdsrettigheter for innvandrere ble kuttet etter asylforliket i 2015.
Tallenes tale om inntektskravet: noen flere kommer i arbeid og mange flere får ikke permanent opphold.
Hvordan det kan være å leve med usikker oppholdstatus.
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Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Turning Scandinavian integration policies upside down? A comparative analysis of the Scandinavian governments' responses to the influx of displaced persons from Ukraine.
Full text in Research Archive
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Aasland, Aadne & Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Effects of individual-level host- and home-country conditions for return aspirations: An Analysis of Ukrainian Refugees in the Nordic Countries.
Full text in Research Archive
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Aasland, Aadne & Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
How individual-level host- and home-country conditions affect return aspirations: An Analysis of Ukrainian Refugees in the Nordic Countries.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
UDI mener halve Ukraina er trygg: – Helt utrolig at de tror at vi lever i en sikker sone.
[Journal].
Aftenposten.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Advarer om ukrainere i Norden: – Ny asylpolitikk kan gi verre svenske tilstander.
[Journal].
Aftenposten.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde & Aasland, Aadne
(2025).
How reception of Ukrainian refugees varies across the Nordics.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
The Nordic countries have adopted markedly different approaches to hosting Ukrainian refugees. Sweden, in particular, stands out with its restrictive policy, which has pushed many Ukrainians into the informal economy. This has implications for the refugees themselves, for their host societies, and could affect potential future return to Ukraine.
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Hernes, Vilde & Aasland, Aadne
(2025).
Nød lærer ukrainsk kvinne å jobbe svart.
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De nordiske landene har gitt ukrainske flyktninger svært ulike rettigheter, og Sverige skiller seg ut. De har dyttet ukrainerne inn i svart arbeid.
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Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Ukrainske flyktninger føler seg godt ivaretatt, men er usikre på fremtiden.
[Journal].
Helsebiblioteket, Samfunnsmedisin og Folkehelse - Nyhetsbrev.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
På evig flyttefot? En analyse av hvordan hyppige ansvarsoverføringer mellom departementer påvirker politikkutvikling.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
På evig flyttefot? En analyse av hvordan hyppige ansvarsoverføringer mellom departementer påvirker politikkutvikling.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Kartlegging av ukrainske flyktningar: – Vanskelegare å integrere enn vi trudde.
[TV].
NRK Dagsrevyen.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
MONETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY: AN INCENTIVE FOR INCLUSION OR A SELECTIVE EXCLUSION MECHANISM? EVIDENCE FROM A NORWEGIAN ‘NATURAL EXPERIMENT’.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
På evig flyttefot? En analyse av hvordan hyppige ansvarsoverføringer mellom departementer påvirker politikkutvikling.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
De nordiske landes håndtering af ukrainske flygtninge viser, at alt er vendt op og ned.
[Internet].
https://www.nordforsk.org/news.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Ukrainske flyktninger i Norge og Europa – kunnskapsbehov, påvirkning og dilemmaer i rollen som «kunnskapsleverandør.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Fører inntektskrav for permanent opphold til at flere kommer i jobb – eller bare at færre får en trygg status i Norge?
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Presentasjon av rapport: Reception, settlement and integration of Ukrainian refugees in Norway: Experiences and perceptions of Ukrainian refugees and municipal stakeholders (2022-2023).
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
72.000 ukrainere har flyktet til Norge. Nå sier én av tre at de vil bli.
[Journal].
Aftenposten.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
No er ukrainarar den nest største gruppa utlendingar – Nina (32) og fleire ser for seg å bli.
[Internet].
NRK nyheter.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Opinion: EU migration policy could turn into a race to the bottom — even for Ukrainians.
[Journal].
POLITICO EU.
Full text in Research Archive
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Deineko, Oleksandra & Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Return to fight or lose your passport: What can Ukrainians abroad and Europe expect from the new Ukrainian Mobilization Act?
[Internet].
HROMADA blog.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
Ukraine’s general need to strengthen its army in the fight against Russia presents European governments with new dilemmas. How does one deal with a potentially growing population of Ukrainians who may be unable to renew their documents, HROMADA member Oleksandra Deineko and Vilde Hernes write.
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Nyhetsreportasje om ukrainske barns deltakelse i online ukrainsk utdanning.
[TV].
Dagsrevyen, NRK.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Norge er strengest i Europa. Og har igjen strammet inn. Likevel strømmer ukrainere hit.
[Journal].
Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.).
Full text in Research Archive
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Pintsch, Anne; Hernes, Vilde; Oleinikova, Olga; Rabinovych, Maryna & Šūpule, Inese
(2024).
Different Approaches – Similar Challenges: Migration and Integration Policies Towards Ukrainian Refugees in Australia and the Nordic-Baltic Region.
Hromada Nordic-Baltic blog on Ukraine.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
På evig flyttefot?En analyse av hvordan hyppige ansvarsoverføringer mellom departementer påvirker politikkutvikling.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Rapportlansering: Hvordan går det med ukrainske flykninger i Norge? Integrering og fremtidsutsikter.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
Sammenligning av økonomiske ytelser I Danmark og Norge for nyankomne flyktninger de første 5 årene.
Full text in Research Archive
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Hernes, Vilde; Aasland, Aadne; Deineko, Oleksandra; Myhre, Marthe Handå; Myrvold, Trine & Hjelle, Mathilde Uttersrud
(2025).
Integration trajectories and future prospects: Experiences and perceptions of Ukrainian refugees and municipal refugee services in Norway (2024-2025).
By- og regionforskningsinstituttet NIBR.
ISSN 9788283094534.
Full text in Research Archive
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This report is part of a yearly research project which maps and analyses how Ukrainian refugees have experienced the settlement, integration and employment in Norway, and also, what their prospect are for the future. Further, the report maps and analyses the experiences, challenges and opportunities for municipalities, and particularly the municipal refugee services, concerning the settlement and integration of Ukrainian refugees. The report focuses on policies and experiences in late 2024 and 2025, but also include analyses of development over time since 2022.
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Leirvik, Mariann Stærkebye; Eggebø, Helga; Hernes, Vilde; Liodden, Tone; Staver, Anne Balke & Danielsen, Åsne Øygard
(2025).
Inntektskravet for permanent opphold -– Bidrar det til økt selvforsørgelse, og hvordan oppleves et slikt krav for de som prøver å oppnå det?
By- og regionforskningsinstituttet NIBR.
Full text in Research Archive
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Høsten 2015 ble det tverrpolitisk enighet om en lang
rekke innstramminger i innvandringspolitikken,
gjerne omtalt som asylforliket. Innstrammingen
i Norge følger trenden i andre europeiske land, som
fant sted etter flyktningkrisen i 2015, der man blant
annet har innført en rekke krav for å gå fra midlertid
til permanent oppholdstillatelse. Kravene innebærer
gjerne språktester, samfunnskunnskapstester og at
man har en minimumsinntekt. Her ser vi nærmere
på det økonomiske kravet – inntektskravet for
permanent opphold i Norge – som ble implementert
i Norge 2017.
I forskningsprosjektet REMIMO – «Regulating
migration and membership through monetary
requirements» – finansiert av Norges forskningsråd
(2021-2025) – har vi tatt utgangspunkt i et bredt
sammensatt datamateriale, bestående av 1) lovforslag
og høringer, 2) registerdata for over 65 000
innvandrere, 3) 29 intervjuer med innvandrere med
ulik innvandringsårsak. I prosjektet stilte vi følgende
spørsmål:
○ Hva har vært begrunnelsene for å innføre inntektskravet
for permanent opphold?
○ Hvordan påvirker inntektskravet for permanent
opphold integreringsutfall og muligheten til å få
permanent opphold?
○ Hvordan opplever innvandrere disse kravene?
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Tronstad, Kristian Rose; Hjelle, Mathilde Uttersrud; Danielsen, Åsne Øygard; Orderud, Geir & Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Migration and Integration 2023–2024. Report for Norway to the OECD.
OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
ISSN 9788283094350.
Full text in Research Archive
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This report has been commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) as Norway’s official contribution to the OECD’s SOPEMI network, which monitors international migration trends and policies. The report provides a comprehensive overview of Norway’s migration and integration efforts, addressing key developments, policy changes and statistical analyses of migration.
In 2023, Norway experienced a near-record increase in net migration, adding approximately one per cent to its population. This rise was primarily driven by displaced Ukrainians fleeing the war, facilitated by Norway’s collective protection scheme. While Ukrainian migration surged, other forms of migration, such as labour and family-related migration, remained relatively stable. This marked one of the highest annual migration increases since 2011.
To manage the influx of Ukrainian refugees, Norway introduced stricter regulations, including restrictions on travel back to Ukraine and exclusions for dual citizens and individuals from deemed safe areas. Additionally, the government implemented tuition fees for non-EU/EFTA students, breaking with Norway’s tradition of free higher education. Critics warned this could reduce international student numbers and impact academic collaboration, though scholarships were introduced for students from developing countries. The government also strengthened return policies, emphasizing voluntary return programs and streamlining forced returns for rejected asylum seekers.
Public discourse reflected both empathy and concern. Many Norwegians supported helping Ukrainian refugees, but debates emerged over the long-term capacity of welfare and local services to integrate newcomers. The introduction of tuition fees for non-EU students sparked controversy, with critics arguing it undermined international solidarity, while supporters viewed it as a necessary financial measure. Surveys showed a generally compassionate stance toward Ukrainian refugees but raised broader concerns about balancing humanitarian commitments with national sustainability.
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Myhre, Marthe Handå; Deineko, Oleksandra; Hjelle, Mathilde Uttersrud; Hernes, Vilde & Tronstad, Kristian Rose
(2025).
Privat bolig i stedet for asylmottak? Erfaringer med oppfølgning og bosetting av ukrainske flyktninger som bodde privat, 2022-2024.
By- og regionforskningsinstituttet NIBR, OsloMet - Storbyuniversitetet.
ISSN 9788283094404.
Full text in Research Archive
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I perioden 2022 – 2024 bodde mange ukrainske flyktninger privat fra de ankom Norge til de fikk kollektiv beskyttelse og ble bosatt med offentlig hjelp. Denne rapporten gjør rede for bosettingsprosessene i Integrerings- og mangfoldsdirektoratet for disse flyktningene, og hvordan kommunene har fulgt opp ukrainske flyktninger som oppholdt seg privat i kommunene før de ble bosatt. I tillegg til IMDi og kommunenes perspektiver, inkluderer rapporten flykningenes egne erfaringer med å bo privat og deres syn på oppfølgingen de har fått i kommunene. Rapporten er tenkt som en kunnskapsoppsummering for framtiden, og den kommer avslutningsvis med anbefalinger til forbedringer i bosettingsprosessen og oppfølgingen av flyktninger som bor privat.
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Aasland, Aadne & Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
A note on the NOR-RETIN survey: Data and methodology.
NIBR, OsloMet.
Full text in Research Archive
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Appendix to NIBR policy brief 2025:1 - Reception, integration and future prospects of Ukrainian refugees in the Nordic countries
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Aasland, Aadne & Hernes, Vilde
(2025).
Reception, integration and future prospects of Ukrainian refugees in the Nordic countries.
NIBR, OsloMet.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
After the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine
in 2022, the Nordic countries have taken very
different approaches to the reception and
integration of Ukrainian refugees.
This policy brief compares the perspectives of
Ukrainian refugees who fled to Norway, Denmark,
Sweden and Finland. It analyses similarities and
differences in their reasons for coming, their
reception and integration experiences in the host
countries, and their return aspirations.
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Deineko, Oleksandra & Hernes, Vilde
(2024).
The new mobilisation act: policies, target groups and consequences for Ukrainians living abroad.
OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
ISSN 9788283094206.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
The new Mobilisation Act will not only impact Ukrainians who currently reside in Ukraine, but
also the millions of Ukrainians who have fled to or live in other countries. In this policy brief,
we present the main changes the new Mobilisation Act entails for Ukrainian citizens
living abroad, including both those who fled the war after February 2022 and those who
lived temporarily or permanently abroad before the full-scale Russian invasion.
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Published
Mar. 9, 2026 11:09 AM
- Last modified
Mar. 19, 2026 1:47 PM
