Tove Ness works as the leader of the Centre for Saami and Indigenous studies at Nord university. Nord University geographically covers the traditional Lule, Pite, Ume and Southern Saami areas in Norway. Nord University has a national responsibility for research and education within Lule- and Southern Saami languages and culture. The main purpose of the Centre is to coordinate, make visible and strengthen education and research on Saami and Indigenous issues at Nord University and Nordland Research Institute. Ness hold a PhD in Nursing Science from Mid Sweden University (2015), focusing on home healthcare services for the South Sámi population, and she is especially focusing on inclusion and equity within her research. Ness is an experienced, registered psychiatric nurse and teacher who has worked in rural settings and met Saami patients. She has conducted several studies in the Saami area, especially the South Saami area, both in Norway and Sweden, in addition to other Indigenous communities. Ness do not have a Saami background, and cannot speak Saami, so she has done all her interviews/ focus group interviews in Norwegian. The research has therefore been conducted from an outsider (non-Indigenous) position, and influenced by the researchers’ background and experience, which is described as a privileged and empowered position.
