Oda Nordheim
Om
About
Oda Nordheim is a PhD candidate at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), whose research focuses on the relationship between welfare states, social policy, and quality of life. Her work examines how public policies shape individual and societal outcomes, with particular emphasis on health, social inequalities, trust, individual development and participation, as well as well-being across European and OECD countries.
She holds a BA in International Development from the University of Essex and an MSc in Public Policy from University College London (UCL). Her broader research interests include public policy and administration, comparative welfare state research, social and health policy, digitalization of the public sector, local governance, policy analysis, and quantitative and qualitative methods.
Research
Her PhD project, Welfare States and Quality of Life: Comparative Analyses of Social Expenditures and Health, Trust, and Participation, examines how welfare state investments and different forms of social spending influence health, trust, participation, and quality of life, with particular attention to social inequalities and vulnerable groups. The project uses large-scale international survey and comparative expenditure data, applying quantitative methods to study welfare state effects across European and OECD countries.
Alongside this work, Oda is conducting research on the introduction of a parliamentary model in Trondheim Municipality. The project examines how the reform affects political and administrative governance, the relationship between elected politicians and the municipal administration and the political opposition, economic management, and citizens’ engagement with local politics. Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, the research provides a broad assessment of how changes in political organisation influence local democracy and public administration.
Publications
Oda has published in international journals including Journal of Social Policy, Social Science & Medicine, Health Policy, Information Polity, PLOS ONE, Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, and Journal of Refugee Studies.
Publikasjoner
2026
-
Martinussen, Pål Erling;
Nordheim, Oda.
(2026)
Somebody get me a doctor: Voluntary health insurance, social background and subjective health in Europe, 2002–2022.
Health Policy
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2025
-
Martinussen, Pål Erling;
Nordheim, Oda;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2025)
Computer World: Digital Public Services and Well-Being in Europe.
Information Polity
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Nordheim, Oda;
Wel, Kjetil A. van der.
(2025)
Are there diminishing returns to social spending? Social policy, health and health inequalities in European countries. A comparative longitudinal survey data analysis.
Social Science and Medicine
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2023
-
Nordheim, Oda;
Huijts, Tim.
(2023)
Social functioning and personal development among individuals with low literacy skills; the role of active labour market policy.
Journal of Social Policy
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2020
-
Stea, Tonje Holte;
Nordheim, Oda;
Bere, Elling Tufte;
Stornes, Per Gunnar;
Eikemo, Terje Andreas.
(2020)
Fruit and vegetable consumption in Europe according to gender, educational attainment and regional affiliation — A cross-sectional study in 21 European countries.
PLOS ONE
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2019
-
Nordheim, Oda;
Martinussen, Pål Erling.
(2019)
Happiness and the role of social protection: how types of social spending affected individuals' life satisfaction in OECD countries, 1980?2012.
Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Jervelund, Signe Smith;
Nordheim, Oda;
Stathopoulou, Theoni;
Eikemo, Terje Andreas.
(2019)
Non-communicable Diseases among Refugee Claimants in Greek Refugee Camps: Are Their Health-care Needs Met?.
Journal of Refugee Studies
Vitenskapelig artikkel
Tidsskriftspublikasjoner
-
Martinussen, Pål Erling;
Nordheim, Oda.
(2026)
Somebody get me a doctor: Voluntary health insurance, social background and subjective health in Europe, 2002–2022.
Health Policy
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Martinussen, Pål Erling;
Nordheim, Oda;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2025)
Computer World: Digital Public Services and Well-Being in Europe.
Information Polity
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Nordheim, Oda;
Martinussen, Pål Erling.
(2019)
Happiness and the role of social protection: how types of social spending affected individuals' life satisfaction in OECD countries, 1980?2012.
Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Jervelund, Signe Smith;
Nordheim, Oda;
Stathopoulou, Theoni;
Eikemo, Terje Andreas.
(2019)
Non-communicable Diseases among Refugee Claimants in Greek Refugee Camps: Are Their Health-care Needs Met?.
Journal of Refugee Studies
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Nordheim, Oda;
Wel, Kjetil A. van der.
(2025)
Are there diminishing returns to social spending? Social policy, health and health inequalities in European countries. A comparative longitudinal survey data analysis.
Social Science and Medicine
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Stea, Tonje Holte;
Nordheim, Oda;
Bere, Elling Tufte;
Stornes, Per Gunnar;
Eikemo, Terje Andreas.
(2020)
Fruit and vegetable consumption in Europe according to gender, educational attainment and regional affiliation — A cross-sectional study in 21 European countries.
PLOS ONE
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Nordheim, Oda;
Huijts, Tim.
(2023)
Social functioning and personal development among individuals with low literacy skills; the role of active labour market policy.
Journal of Social Policy
Vitenskapelig artikkel
Formidling
2024
-
KonferanseforedragWel, Kjetil A. van der; Nordheim, Oda. (2024) Are there diminishing returns to social spending? Social policy, health and health inequalities in European countries. Åpent seminar: European Social Survey (ESS)
2023
-
Konferanseforedrag