Photo of Helena Bjurbäck

Helena Bjurbäck

How do Swedish local welfare systems adapt to contextual changes? I examine their preventive responses to social problems among older adults and how governance logics, organisational boundaries and professional practices shape preventive social work.

Industrial PhD student

Welfare Logics and Organizational Practices at the local level - preventing Complex Social Problems Among Older Adults In contact with Social Services.

Helena Bjurbäck is an industrial PhD student. Her dissertation project is conducted at ASC (Ageing and Social Change), Linköping University, in collaboration with the Social Care Administration for Older Persons in the City of Gothenburg.

She has extensive experience in social work and strategic development, serving as an expert on welfare issues and community development in the context of an ageing population. In recent years, she has worked to promote diversity and the human rights of older persons among policymakers, aiming to combat ageism, social exclusion, and discrimination.

Within the field of social gerontology, this project contributes to broadening the conceptualization and understanding of ageing and social change, particularly regarding structural and institutional transformations. By linking governance, organization, and professional practice, the dissertation examines how preventive social services are shaped at the policy level and translated into everyday practice.

CV and Social Media

Education (Selection)

  • Master’s Degree in Gerontology (60 credits), Jönköping University, 2021–2023
  • Science of Evidence-Based Practice (30 credits, advanced level), University of Gothenburg, 2013–2014
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work (210 credits), University of Gothenburg, 2007–2010

Positions (Selection)

  • Ombudsman for Older Persons – 2019–2024, Municipality of Gothenburg
  • Development Manager – Support and Care for Older Persons – 2016–2019, Municipality of Lerum
  • Organizational Development – Process Support for Local Area Collaboration (Municipality/Region) – 2015–2016, Municipality of Gothenburg
  • Project Manager – Health-Promoting Research Project for Older Immigrants – 2010–2014, Municipality of Gothenburg

More About Me

LinkedIn: Helena Elisabeth Bjurbäck – Strategist & Expert within the Field of Ageing | Industrial PhD Student, Linköping University

Platform: www.aldrebyran.com

Publications

Hanna Mac Innes, Helena Bjurbäck, Jörgen Lundälv (2024)

Sociala problem efter 65 – Socialt förebyggande arbete på nya arenor (Studentlitteratur). Sociala problem efter 65 - 9789144159737 | Studentlitteratur

Hanna Mac Innes, Helena Bjurbäck (red.) (2025)

Socialt arbete med äldre människor: att se både utmaningar och möjligheter (Liber). Socialt arbete med äldre människor: att se både utmaningar och möjligheter

Linköping University

2025

Hanna Mac Innes, Helena Bjurbäck (2025) Att främja hälsa hos äldre personer genom ett socialt förebyggande arbete Ohälsa som socialt problem: socionomers arbete med hälsa och ohälsa, p. 71-89 (Chapter in book)

Organisation