Bjorn Vidar Vangelsten

• Industrial development and food systems

• Climate, nature and energy transition

• Public safety and emergency preparedness

• The welfare society

Researcher with expertise in green transition, climate risk and sustainable social systems

Bjørn Vidar Vangelsten is a senior researcher at Nordland Research Institute with more than 25 years of experience in research and research management nationally and internationally. He has an interdisciplinary background with a PhD in geotechnical engineering, a master's degree in engineering and an MBA in ecological economics. His work spans topics such as sustainable development and quality of life, circular economy, climate risk, food systems and natural hazards. He works with both quantitative and qualitative methods and systems thinking. 

Competence

Bjørn Vidar has broad expertise in green transformation, climate risk, sustainable food systems and natural hazard management. He works interdisciplinary at the intersection of technical, economic and social science approaches, and has led several research projects related to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, local food and the circular economy.

He has also developed tools and indicators for sustainability, climate risk and quality of life. His work is characterized by a strong ability to connect research and practice.

Education and work experience

Bjørn Vidar holds a PhD in geotechnical engineering from NTNU (1997), a Master of Science in civil engineering from NTH (1992), and an MBA in ecological economics from Nord University (2017). He has also completed education in development studies at NMBU.

He has previously worked for the European Commission, the Research Council of Norway and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, as well as running his own consultancy within the environment and development. Since 2016 he has been a senior researcher at Nordland Research Institute , where he has led and participated in several large projects with both national and international roots.

Projects and publications

Bjørn Vidar has been a project manager or work package manager for a number of projects, including TransAdapt, GreenPace Noradapt, CityLoops (EU Horizon 2020), REMAFISK, and Clim-Tour. He has worked on municipal climate adaptation strategies in Nordland and Troms and circular economy, sustainable food systems, and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles, reports and book chapters on topics such as marine litter, societal vulnerability and risk to natural hazards, and sustainable transport. His work is cited in both research communities and policy processes.

Lectures and dissemination

Bjørn Vidar is an active communicator and has participated in a number of national and international conferences, such as EGU, ISOCARP and High North Dialogue. He has presented research findings to Norwegian ministries, municipalities, the EU Commission and in international research networks.

He teaches and gives guest lectures on topics related to sustainability, circular economy and climate risk, and has disseminated research both through panel debates and in radio programs.

Here you can read my CV.