ABSTRACT

This paper explores the formation of the discourse that structures policies aimed at reducing homelessness in Norway. It discusses how experts interacting within epistemic communities contribute to the shaping of discourse, and how research is used to constitute the interpretation of the situation as homeless. The findings indicate that the discourse of homelessness has developed within an epistemic community, acknowledging a naturalistic definition and a structural explanation of homelessness, a community in which both researchers and policy makers have participated. The discourse is also marked by the dominant influence of international research on homelessness, rather than a focus on the local situation of people experiencing homelessness in Norway. This raises the question of whether research has mainly been used symbolically in the formative period of the policy field, strengthening the position of housing in social policies, rather than investigating the challenges of persons experiencing homelessness.

摘要

本文探讨了构建旨在减少挪威无家可归者的政策的话语的形成。它讨论了专家在认知社区内的互动如何为话语的塑造做出贡献，以及研究如何被用来构成对无家可归者情况的解释。研究结果表明，无家可归的话语是在一个认知社区内发展起来的，承认无家可归的自然主义定义和结构解释，研究人员和政策制定者都参与了这个社区。演讲的特点还在于国际研究对无家可归者的主要影响，而不是关注挪威无家可归者的当地情况。