Kjerstin Almqvist, Professor of Psychology at Karlstad University has been awarded Allmänna Barnhuset’s Great Prize 2023. She received the award in connection with the two-day conference on children’s rights (Barnrättsdagarna) 18-19 April in Karlstad.
The prize was presented by Anne Marie Brodén, chairperson of the foundation Allmänna Barnhuset, which annually awards the Great Prize to someone who has helped to improve the social conditions of children and young people in our country through ground-breaking efforts.
– Kjerstin has profound knowledge of children and young people’s mental health and participates in public debates as one of our internationally most prominent researchers when it comes to vulnerable young children. Kjerstin is a children’s rights activist who has made a real impact and contributed with evidence-based methods to help support children who are exposed to violence and to spread knowledge that benefits professionals both in Sweden and internationally. I cannot think of a more suitable award recipient, says Anne Marie Brodén.
Kjerstin Almqvist is a professor of medical psychology and active within the Centre for Research on the Mental Health and Life Circumstances of Children and Youth (CBU) at Karlstad University. Previously, she was also head of research at the Centre for Clinical Research, Region Värmland. She has led several research projects with a particular focus on children who have been exposed to violence and danger in various situations and their reactions, as well as initiatives with a strong emphasis on the children’s perspective.
"I am excited and honoured. The difficult situation of children exposed to violence and the need to draw attention to them and provide the right support is what drives me. I am glad that this topic is brought to the forefront", says Kjerstin Almqvist.
Kjerstin Almqvist has contributed to several anthologies and is one of the authors behind the book Klinisk barnpsykologi, utveckling på avvägar (Clinical child psychology, development gone astary). In their statement, Allmänna Barnhuset also write that “Kjerstin Almqvist has throughout her long career had a special focus on the children’s perspective, ensuring that young children in vulnerable situations receive attention by professionals and given access to good quality care and support. Kjerstin has close collaboration with several higher education institutions both in Sweden and internationally, as well as with the Erica Foundation and a range of organisations within social services and healthcare through teaching and various projects.”
Kjerstin Almqvist shares the Great Prize with Ing-Marie Wieselgren, former national coordinator for mental health at the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR), who receives the award posthumously. The total prize sum is SEK 150,000 and the prize is awarded annually.
