Forensic Mental Health Nursing Scientist leading research in forensic mental health nursing, restrictive practices and violence
Dr. Frederik Alkier Gildberg PhD, MSrN, BN, RN is Professor in Forensic Mental Health and Forensic Mental Health Nursing at the Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark. He holds a honorary adjunct professor title at the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences RMIT University, Australia. At the same time, he is head of research in the forensic mental health research unit, psychiatric department in Middelfart, (RFM), Denmark. He is a registered Nurse in Denmark and holds a diploma in social science in medicine and has previously worked as a clinical forensic mental health nurse, researcher and has played a large role in the buildup of the research environment and research unit at psychiatric department. Middelfart.
Frederik has published extensively in international journals, books, book chapters, posters and conference papers on subjects such as staff-patient relationships and mental health care, restrictive practices, the use of humor, qualitative methods of analysis, qualitative modeling and symbolic interactionism. His publications are of high international quality. In 2018 he published a peer reviewed textbook on qualitative analysis in health science and acted as editor, and author, on this book project for 20 expert authors. In 2019 he cocreated and was responsible for the curriculum development of the first module of a new post graduate course in mental health at University of Southern Denmark. In 2021, as chief editor, Frederik developed a peer reviewed textbook on mental health nursing, listing 25 contributing authors and with Frederik as author or co-author on 3 chapters covering the patient perspective on restrictive practices, nursing history and staff patient relationship.
Frederik has a considerable teaching experience at Masters and Ph.D. level as well as being an experienced supervisor of Masters and PhD students. Frederik is experienced with the use and supervision of several research theories, paradigms and methods. A selected list follows: Pragmatism; Hermeneutics; Constructivism; Symbolic interactionism (and related theories); Qualitative and Mixed Methods; Ethnography; Interview (single, in-depth and focus group); Participant observations; Scientific model development and testing; Thematic analysis; Content analysis; Domain and taxonomic analysis; Systematic reviews.
Throughout the years he has co-founded several national and international initiatives such as: Center for Psychiatric Nursing and Health Research, The Danish Psychiatric Nursing Research Network (DPSN) and the first international FOSTREN and EViPRG training school on violence and restrictive practices. He has chaired or served as a member on PhD defenses, both national and international, regarding mental health and qualitative research topics and methods. Frederik has achieved an impressive degree of research funding over the last 10 years and is known for his pragmatic yet tactical style in leadership and management and this has led to the establishment of a unique research unit with in forensic mental health setting in Denmark.
Frederik is an established forensic mental health nursing scientist with an impressive international track record and working with ongoing collaborations in the UK and Australia in particular. He is esteemed as a leader in his field within Denmark and throughout the world.