Conference - Does Universal Basic Income Improve Health?

What would it take to trial Universal Basic Income in Norway? Join us in Oslo for an open afternoon session bringing together researchers, policymakers, and applied specialists to explore the evidence gaps and practical steps toward a credible grant application  

Date: September 23

Time: 12.00 - 17.00

Place: Room P2–03, Prinsens gate 7–9

Registration is open - NB: All student places have now been filled

About the Conference

This half-day conference brings together leading voices in Universal Basic Income and Health to explore the conditions, challenges, and knowledge gaps relevant to designing a credible UBI trial in Norway. Against a backdrop of rising health-related work exits and growing interest in foundational social interventions, the programme offers a focused afternoon of insight, dialogue, and strategic reflection. Each session includes time for questions, and we warmly invite participants to engage throughout.

Programme

  •  12:00 – Registration and buffet lunch (Room: Ernst Hage – TBC)
  • 12:40 – Welcome, introduction, and meeting objectives – Martin Underwood, University of Warwick
  • 12:50 – An ongoing 2025 review of health outcomes from UBI-like interventions – Rob Froud, Kristiania University of Applied Sciences and University of Warwick (Chair: Margreth Grotle, OsloMet)
  • 13:05 – The need for larger trials – Marcia Gibson, University of Glasgow (Chair: Robert Froud, KUAS)
  • 13:30 – Assuring (continued) political commitment – Jurgen de Wispelaere, University of Bath (Chair: Olli Kangas, University of Turku)
  • 13:55 – Introduction to the UK Science and Technology Network – Joar Kvamsas, British Embassy, Oslo (Chair: Martin Underwood, University of Warwick)
  • 14:05 – Coffee
  • 14:25 – B-MINCOME: methodological considerations and lessons learned from designing the Catalan pilot – Bru Laín, Universitat de Barcelona (Chair: Axel West Pedersen, OsloMet)
  • 14:50 – How should we plan a robust basic income experiment? Knowledge gaps and steps ahead – Olli Kangas, University of Turku (Chair: Jurgen de Wispelaere, University of Bath)
  • 15:15 – Basic Income: A Transformative Policy for Sustainable Welfare? – Simon Birnbaum, Södertörn University (Chair: Ann-Helén Bay, OsloMet)
  • 15:40 – Comfort break
  • 15:55 – The economics of a basic income trial – Kalle Moene, University of Oslo (Chair: Axel West Pedersen, OsloMet)
  • 16:20 – Popularity, feasibility and affordability, and how these relate to the assessment of evidence – Elliot Johnson, Northumbria University (Chair: Martin Underwood, University of Warwick)
  • 16:45 – Closing remarks
  • 17:00 – Close

Om konferansen

Vi inviterer til halvdagskonferanse i samarbeid med OsloMet med forskere, beslutningstakere og spesialister fra hele Europa for å utforske kunnskapshullene og se på praktiske skritt mot å få gjennomføre en UBI-studie i Norge.

Jobber du med folkehelse, sosialpolitikk, økonomi eller samfunnsengasjement? Dette er en unik mulighet til å knytte kontakt med ledende stemmer og bidra til en voksende bevegelse for kunnskapsbasert innovasjon.

Marcia Gibson – University of Glasgow

Dr Marcia Gibson is a public health researcher at the University of Glasgow, specialising in the social determinants of health and the impact of welfare policy. Her work has shaped understanding of how benefit sanctions, Universal Credit, and basic income-like interventions affect mental health and wellbeing, particularly among lone parents. She brings a rigorous evidence-based lens to policy evaluation and is a frequent contributor to parliamentary consultations.

Jurgen De Wispelaere – University of Bath

Dr Jurgen De Wispelaere is a political theorist and policy scholar whose research focuses on the political feasibility and administrative design of basic income. A Policy Fellow at the University of Bath’s Institute for Policy Research, he has advised governments and think tanks across Europe and co-authored foundational texts on welfare reform and universalism. His work bridges theory and practice with a sharp eye on implementation challenges.

Bru Laín – Universitat de Barcelona

Bru Laín is a lecturer in political philosophy at the Universitat de Barcelona and a leading voice in the study of republicanism, property rights, and social policy. He chairs the Scientific Board of the Catalan Basic Income Pilot Project and has held research posts across Europe and Latin America. His interdisciplinary approach combines normative theory with empirical insights from urban-scale experiments in income security.

Olli Kangas – University of Turku

Professor Olli Kangas is one of Finland’s foremost social policy scholars and was the lead researcher behind the Finnish Basic Income Experiment. With decades of experience in comparative welfare studies and policy evaluation, he has held senior roles at the Social Insurance Institution of Finland and the Academy of Finland. His work continues to shape debates on income distribution, legitimacy, and the future of welfare states.

Simon Birnbaum – Södertörn University

Dr Simon Birnbaum is Associate Professor of Political Science at Södertörn University, with expertise in theories of social justice, democratic legitimacy, and welfare state reform. His research explores the normative foundations of basic income and its implications for sustainability and intergenerational equity. He also directs Södertörn’s PPE programme, where he fosters interdisciplinary dialogue on ethics and public policy.

Kalle Moene – University of Oslo

Professor Emeritus Kalle Moene is a renowned economist at the University of Oslo, known for his pioneering work on income distribution, welfare states, and the Nordic model. As founder of the ESOP research centre, his scholarship has illuminated the interplay between economic institutions and social equality. His writing combines analytical depth with a commitment to public engagement and policy relevance.

Elliot Johnson – Northumbria University

Dr Elliot Johnson is a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow in Public Policy at Northumbria University, where he leads research on inequalities, disability, and the public health case for basic income. With a background in third-sector advocacy and over £2 million in funded research, his work emphasises lived experience, narrative framing, and inclusive policy design. He is a frequent media commentator and contributor to national policy debates.