New names
Professor of Nursing in Psychiatry in Region Zealand
Nurse, cand.cur. and Ph.D. As of 1 April, Lene Lauge Berring has been appointed professor of clinical nursing at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), associate professor at University College Absalon and chief nurse and head of the research unit in Psychiatry in Region Zealand.
This triple accession underlines the three institutions' joint commitment to improving academic and practical development in psychiatric nursing and research in Denmark. In addition, Lene Lauge Berring brings decades of experience in research, management, organisation and education.
Lene Lauge Berring's research activities are targeted at citizens with complex behaviour in the healthcare system, especially in relation to citizens with multiple health conditions, patients with behavioural difficulties and patients with mental disorders.
The special focus is the development and testing of new and innovative nursing models and methods for people who are at risk of being subjected to coercion, people who harm themselves, are suicidal and react with violence and threats.
Her particular areas are de-escalation techniques, practical training programs and organizational change towards proactive and positive prevention, which will continue to be at the center of her work. Her guidance on de-escalation has both national and international impact and has been translated into English and Italian and used in prisons in northern Italy. This research is carried out in an international collaboration with researchers from Ireland and the Netherlands.
By applying action-oriented action research, Lene Lauge Berring has involved clinicians, patients, teachers and assistant professors as co-researchers; an approach that strengthens research capacity and scientific influence across Region Zealand Hospitals, University College Absalon and SDU. Her methodology promotes a new and sustainable research infrastructure that contributes to a strengthened research culture and improved patient care.
In addition, Lene leads both national and international projects, including the SAFE app; a solution for people who harm themselves and their relatives and the prevention of late complications after witnessing or having been subjected to coercion.
In addition to regional and national activities, Lene has since 2010 been part of the research network EViPRG (European Violence in Clinical Psychiatry Research Group) and ENTER (A European Network for Training, Education and Research in Mental Health), she is also an external reviewer on a bachelor's degree programme in psychiatric nursing at Trinity University in Dublin.
"It is an honor to be recognized by such prestigious institutions and have the opportunity to contribute to the development of psychiatric care both theoretically and practically," says Lene. "I look forward to working closely with colleagues at SDU, Absalon and Region Zealand to strengthen our common goal of creating a robust research environment across education and region."
Meet the researcher
Privately, Lene is married, has both children and grandchildren, and uses her free time actively to challenge the open water discipline and trail running. She was born in Vestegnen, trained as a nurse in Slagelse and lives in Gladsaxe.