Education:
1993–1996  Postgraduate degree in History, University of Oslo 
1992–1993  Undergraduate studies in Geography, London School of Economics
1989–1992  Undergraduate studies in Political Science and History, University of Oslo

Political posts:
2008-2009 - Minister of Children and Equality
2007–  Head of the Norwegian Labour Party women’s network
2005–  First Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee Education, Research and Church Affairs
2005–  Member of the Labour Party Parliamentary Group 
2002–  Member of the Labour Party Central Executive Committee

Other posts:
2003–2005 Member of the Board of the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS)
2001–2003 Member of the Commission on Quality in Basic Education
2001–2007 Member of the Board of Save the Children Norway
2000–2005 Researcher at the Institute for Applied Social Science FAFO
2000–2005 Member of the Board for Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre
2000–2002 Member of the Housing Commission
2000–2001 Vice-President of the International Union of Socialist Youth
2000  President of the Nordic Socialist Youth League
1996–2000 President of the Labour Youth League
1994–1996 Vice-President of the Labour Youth League
1990–1994 Member of the Board of the Labour Youth League
1989–1995 Member of School Committee in Akershus County
1988–1989  Secretary of the Labour Youth League, Akershus County
1987–1991 Member of the Gender Equality Committee, Ullensaker municipality
1987–1989 Member of the Commission for General Education Subjects
1987–1988 Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Norwegian School Students’ Union (NGS)
1986–1988 Student representative, Akershus County School Board, 1986–1988
1986–1990 Member of the Board, Akershus Labour Youth League
1985–1988 President of the Labour Youth League, Ullensaker municipality

Other work experience:
County Secretary, Akershus Labour Youth League, 1988–1989
Researcher at the Institute for Applied Social Science FAFO, 2000–2005