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Erlend Paasche

Norwegian version of this page
Senior Research Fellow
Research topics: migration and integration
Mobile phone:
+47 474 01 216
Email:
erlend.paasche@samfunnsforskning.no

Dr. Erlend Paasche is a sociologist. He has lived in a refugee camp and has fieldwork experience from Syria, Iraq, Kosovo and Nigeria. During the last decade as a migration scholar he has conducted research involving rejected asylum seekers, refugees, labour migrants, descendants of immigrants, and victims of human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution.

Paasche has published in leading migration journals, and has been a visiting researcher at the University of Sussex and the University of Oxford. As a post doc at the University of Oslo, he has taught migration control, borders and citizenship.

He has also taken part in a string of evaluations of assisted return to various origin states, commissioned by the Directorate of Immigration, and evaluated a component of migration control by border police at Norwegian airports, commissioned by the European Commission.

Previously, Paasche has been affiliated with the Centre of Excellence in the Study of Civil War (CSCW) and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), as well as the Department of Sociology and Human Geography and the Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law at the University of Oslo.

Publications

  • Gebregziabher, Tefera Negash; Paasche, Erlend & Hout, Wil (2026). ‘Human beings should not be deported’: The Horn of Africa’s hegemon contests the EU’s norm to readmit. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. p. 1–18. doi: 10.1080/1369183X.2026.2633670. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend; Soennecken, Dagmar & Tanotra, Ritika (2025). Selecting Refugees for Resettlement to Norway and Canada: Vulnerability, Integration and Discretion. In Leboeuf, Luc; Brun, Cathrine; Liden, Hilde; Marchetti, Sabrina; Nakache, Delphine & Sarolea, Sylvie (Ed.), Between Protection and Harm: Negotiated Vulnerabilities in Asylum Laws and Bureaucracies. Springer. p. 117–139. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-69808-8. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2022). Corruption and Return Migration. In King, Russell & Kuschminder, Katie (Ed.), Handbook of Return Migration. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 185–198. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2020). TK at 70: An interview with Túndé Kèlání. Journal of African Cultural Studies. 32(4), p. 429–441. doi: 10.1080/13696815.2019.1700782. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2018). Elites and Emulators: The Evolution of Iraqi Kurdish Asylum Migration to Europe. Migration Studies. doi: 10.1093/migration/mny036. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend; Skilbrei, May-Len & Plambech, Sine (2018). Vulnerable Here or There? Examining the vulnerability of victims of human trafficking before and after return. Anti-Trafficking Review. p. 34–51. doi: 10.14197/atr.201218103. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2017). A Conceptual and Empirical Critique of ‘Social Remittances’: Iraqi Kurdish Migrants Narrate Resistance. In Nowicka, Magdalena & Šerbedžija, Vojin (Ed.), Migration and Social Remittances in a Global Europe. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 121–141. doi: 10.1057/978-1-137-60126-1. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Skilbrei, May-Len (2017). Gendered Vulnerability And Return Migration. Temida. 20(2), p. 149–166. doi: 10.2298/TEM1702149P. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2016). The role of corruption in reintegration: experiences of Iraqi Kurds upon return from Europe. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. 42(7), p. 1076–1093. doi: 10.1080/1369183X.2016.1139445. Full text in Research Archive
  • Fangen, Katrine & Paasche, Erlend (2013). Young adults of ethnic minority background on the Norwegian labour market: The interactional co-construction of exclusion by employers and customers. Ethnicities. 13(5), p. 607–624. doi: 10.1177/1468796812467957. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Fangen, Katrine (2012). Transnational Involvement: Reading Quantitative Studies in Light of Qualitative Data. International Journal of Population Research. 2012. doi: 10.1155/2012/580819. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Strand, Arne (2012). En komparativ analyse av to landbaserte retur- og reintegreringsprogrammer : : hva fungerer (ikke) i reintegreringsfasen? In Valenta, Marko & Berg, Berit (Ed.), Asylsøker: i velferdsstatens venterom. Universitetsforlaget. p. 205–224. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2011). Iraqi Refugees in A Damascus Suburb: Carriers of Sectarian Conflict? International Journal of Contemporary Iraqi Studies. 5(2), p. 263–275. doi: 10.1386/ijcis.5.2.247_1. Full text in Research Archive

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  • Paasche, Erlend (2025). Community Sponsorship or Community Support for Refugees? The Case of Norway. Institutt for samfunnsforskning. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brekke, Jan-Paul; Damsa, Dorina; Evertsen, Kathinka Fossum; Hansen, Vibeke Wøien; Liden, Hilde & Paasche, Erlend [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2024). Tilrettelegging for integrering av flyktninger i Norge. Organisering, tiltak og erfaringer. Institutt for samfunnsforskning. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lidén, Hilde; Paasche, Erlend & Damsa, Dorina (2022). Protection Seekers’ Lived Experience of Vulnerability in Times of Stricter Migration Policy: The Case of Norway. VULNER - Vulnerability Under the Global Protection Regime. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lidén, Hilde; Schultz, Jessica; Paasche, Erlend & Wessmann, Helene (2021). Vulnerable Protection Seekers in Norway: Regulations, Practices, and Challenges. VULNER - Vulnerability Under the Global Protection Regime. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lidén, Hilde; Paasche, Erlend; Schultz, Jessica & Wessmann, Helene (2021). Flyktningers sårbarhet : Hvordan blir flyktningers sårbarhet forstått, vurdert, ivaretatt og skapt gjennom lovverk og forvaltningspraksis? Institutt for samfunnsforskning. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brekke, Jan-Paul; Paasche, Erlend; Espegren, Astrid & Sandvik, Kristin Bergtora (2021). Selection Criteria in Refugee Resettlement. Balancing vulnerability and future integration in eight resettlement countries. Institutt for samfunnsforskning. Full text in Research Archive
  • Bendixsen, Synnøve Kristine Nepstad; Strand, Arne; Lidén, Hilde; Paasche, Erlend & Aalen, Lovise (2016). Programmes for assisted return to Afghanistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Ethiopia and Kosovo: A comparative evaluation of effectiveness and outcomes, Report, 2016: 2. Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI). Full text in Research Archive
  • Carling, Jørgen; Bolognani, Marta; Erdal, Marta Bivand; Ezzati, Rojan; Oeppen, Ceri & Paasche, Erlend [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2015). Possibilities and Realities of Return Migration. Institutt for fredsforskning. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2014). Iraqi Kurdistan: Partner Under Pressure. Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2014). Why Assisted Return Programmes Must Be Evaluated. Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Full text in Research Archive

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  • Ostrand, Nicole Marie & Paasche, Erlend (2024). Co-organised ECPR Joint Sessions of Workshops. Full text in Research Archive
  • Ostrand, Nicole Marie & Paasche, Erlend (2024). Co-organised two-day workshop at Vrije Universiteit Brussels, bringing together researchers from NORMS and another project to develop a special issue proposal for Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2023). Impact of cash incentives for reintegration assistance. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2023). Refugee Resettlement and Vulnerability Criteria. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2023). What is sustainable reintegration? Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2023). NORMS presentation. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2023). UTENRIKS Roundtable discussion. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2023). Section, PRA442 workshop. Return and Readmission: A Normative Approach. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2022). A relational dimension of deportation as practice: Obtaining the collaboration of origin states. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend; Brekke, Jan-Paul & Brochmann, Grete (2022). Europeisk dobbeltmoral. [Journal]. Dag og Tid. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2022). MPI-ERRIN Workshop on Monitoring of Reintegration Assistance: Case study Iraq (workshop participation). Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2022). Co-organized, presented at and moderated three high level panels at EU workshop on return. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2022). Presented at UDI/IOM Embassy Seminar, on the relationship between integration and reintegration. Participated in panel debate. Full text in Research Archive
  • Schultz, Jessica; Lidén, Hilde & Paasche, Erlend (2021). Norsk flyktningpolitikk skaper nye former for sårbarhet. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2021). Faglunsj i Justisdepartementet, innleder. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2021). PU Ledersamling i ID-enheten, innleder. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Brekke, Jan-Paul (2021). Sommerseminar for Beregningsutvalget, innleder. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2021). DELMI Expert Roundtable Seminar on Return and Reintegration, invitee. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2021). Embassy seminar on return, keynote speech. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Brekke, Jan-Paul (2021). Selection Criteria in Refugee Resettlement Balancing vulnerability and future integration in eight resettlement countries. Full text in Research Archive
  • Schultz, Jessica; Lidén, Hilde & Paasche, Erlend (2021). Assessing vulnerability in Norwegian asylum practice:​ amplifying or displacing refugee rights? Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2020). Keynote speech: On monitoring the effectiveness of reintegration activities. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Brekke, Jan-Paul (2020). PROTECT symposium 1 Norge og FNs flyktningeplattform, keynote speech on selection criteria in refugee resettlement. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2020). DELMI expert roundtable on return policy, invitee. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2020). CMI/UiB workshop on project development in migration studies, keynote speech. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2020). Norm Conflicts in International Return Practice, keynote speech. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2020). Expert roundtable on Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, invited speaker. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2020). Grensene for migrasjonskontroll, foredrag for politiet. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2019). Return and reintegration in Iraqi Kurdistan. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend; Skilbrei, May-Len & Plambech, Sine (2019). What happens after victims of trafficking return to Nigeria? Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Skilbrei, May-Len (2019). Human Trafficking, Migration and Borders Under Pressure. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Carling, Jørgen (2018). Representations of return migration in Nigerian cultural production. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2018). Class, risk and ‘going with a purpose’: Nigerian postgraduates reflect on irregular migration. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2018). Human Trafficking and Migration Studies. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2018). Class, risk and going with a purpose. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2017). Hayne's Nollywood: A view from migration studies. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Skilbrei, May-Len (2017). Forskningsformidling 2.0. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2017). NRKs Dagsrevyen. [TV]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
  • Søderholm, Tara Matilde & Paasche, Erlend (2017). From Nollywood to Norway. [Internet]. Universitetet i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2017). Om migrasjon og Film fra Sør. [Radio]. NRK P2. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2017). Crime goes to the movies: The case of Nollywood. Full text in Research Archive
  • Villman, Emma Åsa Irene & Paasche, Erlend (2017). Making sense of migration through popular culture. [Internet]. uio.no. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lidén, Hilde; Strand, Arne; Bendixsen, Synnøve Kristine Nepstad; Paasche, Erlend & Brekke, Jan-Paul (2016). Samanliknande evaluering av assisterte returprogram til Afghanistan, Irakisk Kurdistan, Etiopia og Kosovo. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2016). Paasche to speak at the world’s largest anti-corruption conference. [Internet]. UiO. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2014). Elites and emulators: the evolution of an Iraqi Kurdish - European migration system. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2014). Vaklende løsrivelse. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2014). Nasjonalisme under press. Dagens næringsliv. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2014). Kan Irak fikses? Dagsavisen. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2013). On the Move: The Journey of Refugees in New Literatures in English. Journal of Peace Research. 50(3), p. 428–428. Full text in Research Archive
  • Knudsen, Are; Strand, Arne & Paasche, Erlend (2013). War and Migration. In Ness, Immanuel (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of Global Human Migration. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 1–8. doi: 10.1002/9781444351071.wbeghm575. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Hofman, Lennart (2013). Gedwongen naar huis. [Journal]. Netherland. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & WILGENBURG, Vladimir van (2012). Kurdish Studies Network Fills Void for Kurdish Experts. [Journal]. Rudaw. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & WILGENBURG, Vladimir van (2012). Second Kurdish Congress Focuses on Kurdish Diaspora. [Journal]. Rudaw. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend & Hofmann, Lennart (2012). Nederlandse supermarkt in Irak teken van welvart. [Journal]. Netherlands. Full text in Research Archive
  • Paasche, Erlend (2011). Prospects for Political Stability in a Democratic Iraq: A Study of the Clusters of Conflict. Journal of Peace Research. 48(2), p. 267–267. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jones, Lee; Clayton, Govinda Daniel; Gissel, Line Engbo; Gomsrud, Lars Seland; Leclerc-Gagné, Elise & Paasche, Erlend [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2011). The Method Makes the Manuscript: Key Texts in the Theoretical and Methodological Advancement of the Study of Civil War. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding. 5(2), p. 235–260. Full text in Research Archive

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Published Mar. 18, 2020 1:08 PM - Last modified June 12, 2026 10:57 AM