Finn Skårderud entered the medical field in 1982 after completing his studies at the University of Oslo Faculty of Medicine. Throughout his career, he operated as a physician, essayist, and psychiatrist based in Norway, focusing his clinical and academic attention primarily on eating disorders and the emerging specialized field of sports psychiatry.
Academic and Clinical Appointments
Skårderud held multiple positions across prominent Norwegian educational and research institutions. He served as a professor at Lillehammer University College and the Department of Special Needs Education at the University of Oslo. Additionally, his professional life involved teaching roles at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and the Norwegian Sports Academy. Clinically, he managed a private practice and directed a psychotherapy project located at Oslo University Hospital, while also serving as a psychiatrist for the Norwegian Olympic Committee.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Literary and Cultural Contributions
Beyond his clinical practice, Skårderud established himself as an essayist and critic covering film, art, and literature. His published output includes scientific papers, book chapters, and full-length books exploring intersections between psychiatry, psychology, and cultural themes. His work gained international attention through the 2020 Danish film Another Round, which utilized his discussion of a theory regarding blood alcohol levels—originally published in the 1881 text On the Psychological Effects of Wine by Edmondo de Amicis—as its primary narrative premise.
Professional Conduct and Legal Status
The trajectory of Skårderud’s medical career shifted following an investigation by the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision. In 2023, the board removed him from the medical register, citing a widespread pattern of professional misconduct. As a consequence of these findings, he no longer maintains authorization as a medical doctor or psychiatrist. In 2024, he entered a plea of guilty to charges of fraud.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his active years in medicine and literature, Skårderud received several honors. He was awarded the Karl Evang Prize in 1992. His non-fiction writing was recognized with the Arthur Holmesland Award in 1998, and he later received the Wenche Foss' Honorary Award in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1956, Tynset
- Citizenship: Norway
- Education: University of Oslo Faculty of Medicine, 1975-1982
- Professional fields: Eating disorders, sports psychiatry
- 1992 Award: Karl Evang Prize
- 1998 Award: The Arthur Holmesland Award for Non-Fiction
- 2023 Status: Removed from medical register
- 2024 Legal outcome: Pleaded guilty to fraud
Questions readers ask
Is Finn Skårderud currently a licensed psychiatrist?
No. The Norwegian Board of Health Supervision struck him from the medical register in 2023.
What is his connection to the film Another Round?
The film’s premise concerning the effects of blood alcohol content on creativity was based on an unconventional theory he promoted, which originated in an 1881 book by Edmondo de Amicis.
Achievements
- Karl Evang Prize — 1992
- Held posts at Lillehammer University College, The Norwegian Sports Academy and Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Fields: eating disorder and Sports psychiatry
