Inga Dora Sigfusdottir - Curriculum Vitae
Reykjavik University
IS – 103, Reykjavik, Iceland
Tel. +354 5996200
ingadora@ru.is
Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis
IS – 103, Reykjavik, Iceland
Tel. +354 5996431
ingadora@rannsoknir.is
Education:
PhD in Sociology, Pennsylvania State University (Dissertation: Stress in Adolescents´ Lives: The Role of Negative Life Events and Social Support in understanding Distress, Delinquency, Substance use and School Performance), 2004.
MA in Sociology, University of Iceland, 1999.
BA in Political Science, University of Iceland, 1991.
Positions:
Research Professor (as of September 1st 2010), Teacher´s College, Columbia University.
Professor (2009-present), Reykjavik University.
Founder and CEO of the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis, a research institute focusing on youth research, science studies and science policy (1999 – present).
Visiting professor (2009-2010), University of California, Irvine.
Associate Professor (2007-2009), Reykjavik University.
Assistant Professor (2004-2007), Reykjavik University.
Founding dean of the School of Health and Education, Reykjavik University (2004 – 2009).
Advisor to Mininster of Health Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson (2007 – 2009).
Policy project (on education and science) for Minister of Education Björn Bjarnason (1997 – 1998).
Researcher at the Icelandic Institute for Educational Research (1996 – 1998).
Lecturer at the department of Social Sciences, University of Iceland (1996 – 2000).
Policy project (on gender equality) for Minister of Finance Fridrik Sophusson (1995).
Policital assistant to Minister of Education Ólafur G. Einarsson (1994 – 1995).
Political assistan to Prime Minister Davíd Oddsson (1993 – 1994).
Researcher at the Icelandic Institute for Educational Research (1992 – 1993).
Journalist at daily Morgunbladid (1990 – 1993).
Director of the Student Council, University of Iceland (1989 – 1990).
Advisor for PhD students:
Co-advisor for Álfgeir Logi Kristjánsson, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, expected 2010.
Co-advisor for Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir, King´s College, London, expected 2011.
Advisor for Birna Baldursdottir, Nordic School of Public Health, expected 2013.
Awards:
Fulbright research grant award: (2010).
Margret and Bent Scheving Thorsteinsson; (2004) for research on delinquency.
„Saman hopurinn“ an Icelandic parental and youth association; (2004) for research on substance use.
Fulbright Scholarship Award (2001 – 2002).
Award from the Thor Thors foundation (2001).
MA with Distinction, University of Iceland (1999).
Valedictorian (Dux Scholae) at graduation from Reykjavik Junior College (Menntaskolinn i Reykjavik): Awards for best performance in Mathematics, Spanish, German, English and French at graduation (1987).
Research work:
Project director for the research part of the Youth in Europe Project (2005-present). An international project carried out in cooperation with capitals, cities and states in Europe, based on key learnings from the Youth in Iceland project. The Youth in Europe project is funded by Actavis and under patronage of the President of Iceland. The project is evidence based. A cross-sectional survey is carried out at three time points in 2006, 2008 and 2010 among adolescents in 12 European cities. The findings from these surveys will provide a base for preventive work against the use and distribution of drugs, in the cities.
Project director of Youth in Iceland, a cross-sectional populations based study carried out on a yearly basis among young people between 10 and 20 years of age in Iceland (1999 – present). Built a nationwide, annually updated, database on various aspects of health and behavior among school-age children and adolescents and directed research, based on this database, which is used by local and national government bodies in Iceland in their policy making.
Member of the committee Nordic Youth Research Information (NYRI), under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers (1996 – 2001).
In connection with NYRI, chair of a committee that organized an international conference on youth research held in Iceland in June 1998.
Iceland's Youth Research Correspondent for the Council of Europe (1996 – 2001).
Project director in Iceland for ESPAD (European School Survey Project of Alcohol and other Drugs) (1999 – 2005): A cross-sectional survey carried out among adolescents in 30 European countries.
Project director: An Evaluation of Scholarly Work at the University of Iceland, Ministry of Education (2004 – 2005).
One of two project directors of the National Science Council project Basic science in Iceland; Appraisal, Prospects and Policy (1997 – 1999).
List of publications:
Books/major reports
Sigfusdottir, ID, Asgeirsdottir, BB, Macdonald, A, and Feller, I. (2005). An Evaluation of Scholarly Work at the University of Iceland. 2005. The Ministry of Education: 139 pp. Reykjavik
Sigfusdottir, ID, and Thorlindsson, Th. (2000). Grunnvísindi á Íslandi. Basic research in Iceland, - Policy and Problems. The Icelandic Research Council: 260 pp. Reykjavik.
Thorlindsson, Th., Olafsson, K, Halldorsson, V, and Sigfusdottir, ID. (2000). Tómstundaiðkun íslenskra unglinga; Niðurstöður rannsókna á tómstundaiðkun íslenskra unglinga í félagslegu samhengi. Young People’s Lifestyle and Leisure Activities: 230 pp. Reykjavik.
Thorlindsson, Th, Sigfusdottir, ID, Bernburg, JG, and Halldorsson, V. (1998). Vímuefnaneysla ungs fólks: Umhverfi og aðstæður. The Social Circumstances of Substance Use among Icelandic Adolescents. Icelandic Institute for Educational Research: 184 pp. Reykjavik.
Thorlindsson, Th, Karlsson, Th, and Sigfusdottir, ID. (1994). Um gildi íþrótta fyrir íslensk ungmenni. The
Social Context of Sport Participation among Youth in Iceland. Icelandic Institute for Educational Research: 161 pp. Reykjavik.
Publications in peer reviewed international journals
Sigfusdottir, I.D., and Silver, E. (2009). Emotional Reactions to Stress among adolescent Boys and Girls: An Examination of the mediating mechanisms proposed by General Strain Theory. Youth & Society, 40(4), 571-590.
Sigfusdottir, I.D., Thorlindsson, Th., Kristjansson, A, Roe, K.M., and Allegrante, J.P. (2009). Substance Use Prevention for Adolescents: The Icelandic Model. Health Promotion International, 24(1), 16-25.
Bernburg, J.G., Thorlindsson, Th., and Sigfusdottir, ID. (2009). The neighborhood effects of disrupted family processes on adolescent substance use. Social Science & Medicine, 69(1), 129-137.
Gudjonsson, G.H., Sigurdsson, J.F., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2009). Interrogation and false confessions among adolescents in seven European countries. What background and psychological variables best discriminate between false confessors and non-false confessors? Psychology, Crime & Law, 15(8), 711-728.
Bernburg, J.G., Thorlindsson, Th., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2009). Relative deprivation and adolescent outcomes in Iceland: A Multilevel Test. Social Forces, 87(3), 1223-1250.
Kristjansson, AL., Sigfusdottir, ID. (2009). The Role of Parental Support, Parental Monitoring and Time Spent With Parents in Adolescent Academic Achievement in Iceland: A Structural Model of Gender Differences. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research 53(5), 481-496.
Bernburg, J.G., Thorlindsson, Th., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2009). The Spreading of Suicidal Behavior: The Contextual Effect of Community Household Poverty on Adolescent Suicidal Behavior and the Mediating Role of Suicide Suggestion. Social Science and Medicine, 68(2), 380-389.
Kristjansson, A.L., Sigfusdottir, I.D., Allegrante, J.P., and Helgason, A.R. (2009). Adolescent Health Behaviour, Contentment in School, and Academic Achievement. American Journal of Health Behaviour, 33(1), 69-79.
Kristjansson, A.L., Sigfusdottir, I.D., Allegrante, J.P., and Helgason, A.R. (2009). Parental Divorce and Adolescent Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Use: Assessing the Importance of Family Conflict. Acta Paediatrica, 98(3), 537-542.
Sherman, M.G., Silver, E., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2009). Gender and the associated impairments of childhood sexual abuse: A national study of Icelandic youth, Social Science and Medicine, Epub ahead of print;http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.08.037
Eidsdottir, S., Kristjansson, A.L., Sigfusdottir, I.D., and Allegrante, J.P. (2008). Trends in physical activity and participation in sports clubs among Icelandic adolescents. European Journal of Public Health, 18(3), 289-293.
Gudjonsson, G.H., Sigurdsson, J.F., Sigfusdottir, I.D., and Asgeirsdottir, B.B. (2008). False confessions and individual differences: The importance of victimization among youth. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(8), 801-805.
Kristjansson, A.L., Sigfusdottir, I.D. , and Allegrante, J.P. (2008). Academic Achievement among Adolescents: The Relationship and Impact of Body Mass index, Health Behaviors, and Self-Esteem, Health Education & Behavior, June 9th Epub ahead of print.
Kristjansson, A.L., Sigfusdottir, I.D., Allegrante, J.P., and Helgason, AR. (2008). Social Correlates of Cigarette Smoking among Icelandic Adolescents: A Population–based Cross–sectional Study, 2008; BMC Public Health, 8(86), 1-8.
Sigfusdottir, I.D., Asgeirsdóttir, B.B., Gudjonsson, G.H., and Sigurdsson, J.F. (2008). Trends in depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and visits to healthcare specialists: A national study among Icelandic adolescents. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 36(4), 361-368.
Sigfusdottir, I.D., Asgeirsdottir, B.B., Sigurdsson, J.F., and Gudjonsson, G.H. (2008). A Model of Sexual Abuse’s Effects on Suicidal Behavior and delinquency: The Role of Emotions as Mediating Factors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37(6), 699-712.
Sigfusdottir, I.D., Kristjansson, A.L., Thorlindsson, Th., and Allegrante, J.P. (2008). Trends in Prevalence of Substance Use among Icelandic Adolescents, 1995-2006. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy, 3(12):http://www.substanceabusepolicy.com/content/3/1/12/
Gudjonsson, G.H., Sigurdsson, J.F., Asgeirsdottir, B.B., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2007). Custodial interrogation: What are the background factors associated with claims of false confession to police? Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 18(2), 266-275.
Sigfusdottir, I.D., Kristjansson, A.L., and Allegrante, J.P. (2007). Health Behaviour and Academic Achievement in Icelandic School Children. Health Education Research, 22(1), 70-80.
Sigfusdottir, I.D., Thorlindsson, Th., and Bjarnason, Th. (2007). Religion: soutin divin et tension psychologique, {Religion: Divine Support and Strain, 2007; Social Compass, 54, 473-492.
Thorlindsson, Th., Bjarnason, Th., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2007). Individual and Community Processes of Social Closure: A Study of Adolescent Academic Achievement and Alcohol Use, Acta Sociologica, 50(2), 147-161.
Gudjonsson, G.H., Sigurdsson, J.F., Asgeirsdottir, B.B., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2006). Custodial interrogation, false confession and individual differences: A national study among Icelandic youth. Personality and Individual Differences, 41(1), 49-59.
Sigurdsson, J.F., Gudjonsson, G.H., Bragason, A.V., Kristjansdottir, E., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2006). The role of violent cognition in the relationship between personality and the involvement in violent films and computer games. Personality and Individual Differences, 41(2), 381-392.
Bjarnason, Th., Thorlindsson, Th., Welch, M.R., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2005). Familial and Religious Influences on Adolescent Alcohol Use: A Multi-Level Model of Students and School Communities. Social Forces, 84(1), 375-390.
Sigfusdottir, I.D., Farkas, G., and Silver, E. (2004). The Role of Depressed Mood and Anger in the Relationship between Family Conflict and Delinquent Behavior. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33(6), 509-522.
Bjarnason, Th., and Sigfusdottir, I.D. (2002). Nordic Impact: Article productivity and citation in sixteen Nordic sociology departments. Acta Sociologica, 45(4), 253-267.
Other publications:
(with Sigrun Danielsdottir and Jakob Smari.) Megrun meðal íslenskra unglinga og tengsl við líkamsmynd, sjálfsvirðingu og átröskunareinkenni. Sálfræðiritið, 12, 85-100
Kynjamunur í árangri og líðan barna í grunnskólum (Gender differences in academic performance). Tímaritið Uppeldi, 3. tbl.
(with Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir). Mikilvægi tónlistarnáms fyrir íslensk ungmenni (Organized Music Instruction for Icelandic adolescents as a Preventive Factor). Tímaritið Uppeldi, 2. tbl.
(With Simon Sigvaldason). Dissemination of Knowledge Within the Legal Community Article, pp. 243-255, in a Festschrift in honour of Þór Vilhjálmsson, former Supreme Court Judge. Reykjavík.
Staða stúlkna og pilta í íslenskum grunnskólum (Out of School Effects on Gender Differences in School Achievement). Samfélagstíðindi, 47-57. Reykjavik.
Research reports:
First author or co-author of over 200 reports based on the research and database of the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis. Many of these have provided the foundation for policy making of various local and national government bodies in Iceland.
Posters and abstracts in peer-reviewed conferences/Conference proceedings:
With Gunnlaugsson, G, Kristjansson, AL, Einarsdottir, J, and Sigfusdottir, ID. Domestic conflict, emotional well being and delinquent behaviour: a population-based study among Icelandic adolescents. European Journal of Public Health, 17; 97-97, suppl. 2. 2007
With Allegrante, JP, and Kristjansson, AL. Substance Use Prevention Strategy for 15- and 16-Year-Old Adolescents: The Icelandic Model. The 19th IUHPE World Conference, Vancouver, Canada, June 10-15 2007.
With Allegrante, JP, and Kristjansson, AL. Health Behavior and Academic Achievement in Adolescents: The Relative Contribution of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, BMI and Self-Esteem. The IUHPE World Conference, Vancouver, Canada, June 10-15, 2007.
With Thorlindsson, Th, and Halldorsson, V. The Social Context of Sport and the Use of Steroids Among Icelandic Students, April, 2007. Annual conference of sociologists. Social policy, social ideology and social change í Chicago.
With Allegrante, JP, and Kristjansson, AL. Health Behavior and Academic Achievement in Icelandic School Children. European Conference of IUHPE (International Union for Health Promotion and Education), Budapest, October, 2006.
Presentations at international conferences:
Research, Policy and Practice for the benefit of children and adolescents. European Society for Social Paediatrics and Child Health: Health of School-Age Children. 9 to 10th of October 2008. Grand Hotel, Reykjavik. Key note speaker.
The Youth in Europe Project: An Evidence based Prevention Project. World Forum against Drugs. 8 to 10th of September 2008. Key note speaker.
Social Integration, Depressed Mood and Physical Activity: A Study among Adolescent Boys and Girls. APHA 135th Annual Meeting and Expo, Washington, DC., November 3-7, 2007.
Linking Research, Policy and Practice. The 14th ECAD Mayors Conference, Istanbul, Turkey, May 10 – 11 2007. Key note speaker.
The Social Context of Gender Differences in Academic Achievement among Icelandic Adolescents. Invited speaker at a conference arranged by the Nordic Committee of Ministers, Helsinki, 12 December 2004.
Evidence based policy making: The link between research, policy and practice in preventing substance use among Icelandic Adolescents. Conference Storbyens Hjerte og Smerte, Oslo, 17 August 2003.
The social context of gender differences in academic achievement among Icelandic adolescents. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Anaheim, California, 18-22 August 2001.
Social Closure, Parental and Peer Networks: A Study of Adolescent Scholastic Achievement and Alcohol Use. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Washington, D.C., 12-16 August 2000.
The Social Context of Psychological Distress among Icelandic Adolescents. Paper presented at the NYRIS 7 (Nordic Youth Research Information) conference in Helsinki, 10 June 2000.
Youth resistance to peer pressure, an example based on Hashish use. Talk given at a conference on youth studies, Nordic Youth Research Symposium, in Tønsberg, Norway, 17 August 1996.
Presentations at national conferences:
Rannsóknir í háskólastarfi: Grundvöllur framþróunar. (University Research: Foundation of Progress). Talk given at a symposium on Funding of university research held by Reykjavik University and University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, 29 April 2007.
Youth in Iceland: Evidence based policy making: Presentation given at a conference organized by the City of Reykjavik in relation to the ECAD project, Reykjavik, 8 April 2005.
How should we evaluate research performance at Universities? Invited speaker at a conference organized by the Association of University Professors, at the University of Iceland, 24 February, 2004.
Félagsauður á Íslandi: Forsenda framfara í nýju þjóðfélagsumhverfi? (Social Capital in Iceland: A prerequisite for societal success?). Talk given at a conference on Social Capital and its importance in policy making, held by the City of Reykjavik, 30 April 2004.
Evidence based policy making in public health. Talk given at a conference organized by the Icelandic Public Health Association, 4 May 2004.
Stress in Adolescents´lives: The link between stress, mental health and delinquency. Presentation of Phd dissertation at a meeting organized by the Icelandic Public Health Institute, 7 May 2004.
Social science in Iceland: Performance and Progress. Talk given at the 30th Anniversary of the Social Science Faculty at the University of Iceland, 8 October 2000.
An evaluation of basic science. Talk given at the annual meeting of the Icelandic’s Research Council, 27 April 1999.
Basic science in Iceland, progress and performance. Talk given at a conference held by the Icelandic Research. Council and the Ministry of Education in Iceland, 30 November 1999.
Substance use among Icelandic adolescents. Talk given at the annual meeting of the teachers association at Gardabaer High School, 9 November 1999.
Youth in Iceland. Four talks given at the following meetings with principals of elementary schools in Reykjavik; 27 September 1999, 5 October 1999, 12 October 1999, 15 October 1999.
The family – research findings. Talk given at a conference about the status of the family in a modern society, sponsored by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Reykjavik, 8 April 1999.
Young people's substance use. In the wake of publication of the book, The Social Circumstances of Substance Use among Icelandic Adolescents. Six talks given at the following meetings; of Reykjavik Rotary Club 11 March 1998, Midtown Rotary Club 16 March 1998, Kopavogur Rotary Club 17 March 1998, Seltjarnarnes Rotary Club 27. March 1998, Gardabaer Rotary Club 30 March 1998 and Hafnarfjördur Rotary Club 2 April 1998.
The boys are punished, while the girls feel ashamed. Talk given at a conference about the status of boys in school, sponsored by the Committee of Equal Rights and Ministry of Culture and Education, at Grand Hotel 27 November 1997.
Collaboration between family, school and cohort group on preventive measures. Talk given at an educational convention organized by the Ministry of Education, National Library, 5 October 1996.
Committees and shorter projects:
Committe forming a new policy on health promotion for Icelandic Health Minister, chair (2007 – 2008).
Committe on future organization and role of Landspitalinn, University Hospital in Iceland (2007 – 2008).
Committee on quality standards and measures in education, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education (1998 – 1999).
A member of the Icelandic organizational committee, overseeing academic matters, for the conference Women and Democracy at the Dawn of a new Millennium sponsored by the governments of the United States and Iceland (1999 – 2000).
A consultant to the Wage Terms Committee on the arrangement of professors by wage categories according to work results (1998 – 2000).
Representative of the Ministry of Finance on the Liquor and Substance Use Prevention Council (1997 – 1998).
Chairperson of a committee of professionals in educational research and teaching, according to a parliamentary resolution (1996 – 1997).
Chairperson, Equal Rights Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Education (1996 – 1998).
Policy Formulation Committee, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Education, for reconsidering the national curricula of primary and secondary schools (1996 – 1998).
Committee, under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, for reconsidering laws concerning the rights and duties of state employees (1993 – 1995).
Youth Council of Iceland, chairperson (1990 – 1994).
Reykjavik Child Welfare Council (1990 – 1994).
Board of Directors of Child Care (1989 – 1991).
Vaka, Association of Democratic Students, chairperson (1988 – 1990).
Board of Directors of the Student Council, University of Iceland (1988 – 1990).
Selected grants:
The Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis
1.Actavis; 2006 - 2008
to fund surveys in European cities as a way to start the project
Youth in Europe, on which the current project will build EUR 11.000
2.The City of Reykjavik; 2006 – 2008
to fund surveys in Reykjavik in 2006 – 2008 as a way to start
the project Youth in Europe EUR 40.000
I have applied to both Actavis and the city of Reykjavik to
support surveys in 2010 EUR 75.000
The School of Health and Education
1.Margret Bjorgolfsdottir Memorial Fund; 2006 – 2008
for a research position in public health EUR 83.000
2.Vatryggingafelag Islands; 2006 – 2008
for an assistant professorship position EUR 83.000
3.Ministry of Education 2007
to promote research in mathematics EUR 55.000
Scholarship grants
- Fulbright research grant award (2010) EUR 8.000
- Grant for doctoral studies, Pennsylvania State University (2001 – 2003) EUR 29.000
- Fulbright grant award (2001-2002) EUR 6.500