About
Hans Christoffer Aargaard Terjesen is an expert in leadership and has in recent years focused his research particularly on how leaders can best handle sick leave, conflicts, aging, and generational dynamics in the workplace. He also has a strong academic interest in leadership development and identity leadership, sociological perspectives on leadership roles, organizational context and functioning, performance management, political leadership, power dynamics, and the history of leadership.
In spring 2025, Terjesen published the book Lederens 10 nøkler til god håndtering av sykemeldte (The Leader’s 10 Keys to Effectively Managing Employees on Sick Leave). The book is the first internationally to systematically describe how leaders can support employees with long-term and complex sick leave in returning to work, based on leadership theory. In autumn 2026, he is course coordinator and the main teacher for a new executive continuing education program on leadership and long-term sick leave.
In autumn 2026, Terjesen is also course coordinator and lead lecturer in Strategic Human Resource Management in the master’s programme in Economics and Administration at the OsloMet School of Business. He has held this role in 2025 and 2024 as well.
His engagement in research communication and academic discussions has made him an active voice in the public debate. In autumn 2025, Terjesen published a popular science book on defence mechanisms. The book originally started as a chapter in an academic book on leadership but developed into an independent popular science book about life. In autumn 2026, he will also publish a new popular science book on age-friendly leadership.
Terjesen’s ability to translate research into accessible communication has made him a sought-after speaker, and he is also an experienced facilitator of dialogue workshops. He has previously been a leadership columnist for Dagens Næringsliv, a committee chair in ISO, and a board member of the Knowledge Centre for Longer Working Lives.
He has extensive experience with workplace assessments, the development and implementation of action plans, and providing support in conflict management. In addition, he has led sick leave and leadership development projects with documented positive results.
Terjesen holds a degree in sociology from the University of Oslo and a PhD from OsloMet. Since 2008, he has been a researcher at the Work Research Institute (AFI). Before that, he worked as a manager in a private healthcare company.
Field of study
Management Conflict Resolution Sickness Absence Senior policy
Research groups
Research projects
Completed research projects
-
ExitAge
The objective of the project is to increase the knowledge about the oldest workers and their experiences, as well as how companies handle work exit and the change in mandatory retirement age.
-
Knowledge Summary on Age-Conscious Leadership
The purpose of the knowledge summary is to map and analyze research that highlights the significance of leadership for the development and maintenance of senior and older employees.
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Spjelkavik, Øystein
;
Enehaug, Heidi
; Klethagen, Pål;
TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard
; Howe, Emilie Isager; Fure, Silje Christine Reistad; Løvstad, Marianne; Andelic, Nada
(2023).
Workplace accommodation in return to work after mild traumatic brain injury.
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation.
Vol. 74.
https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-211440
Frøyland, Kjetil
;
TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard
(2020).
Workplace perceptions of older workers and implications for job retention.
Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies.
Vol. 10.
https://doi.org/10.18291/njwls.v10i2.120819
Solem, Per Erik
;
Salomon, Robert H
;
TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard
(2020).
Does a raised mandatory retirement age influence managers' attitudes to older workers?.
Nordisk välfärdsforskning | Nordic Welfare Research.
Vol. 5.
https://doi.org/10.18261/issn.2464-4161-2020-02-05
TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard
(2018).
Bevisstløs ledelse.
Heen, Hanne; Salomon, Robert H (Ed.).
Varme konflikter i arbeidslivet. Organisatoriske perspektiver og håndteringsmetoder. p. 184-211.
Gyldendal Akademisk.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3343305
Howe, Emilie; Langlo, Knut-Petter;
TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard
; Røe, Cecilie; Schanke, Anne-Kristine;
Søberg, Helene L.
;
Sveen, Unni
; Aas, Eline;
Enehaug, Heidi
;
Alves, Daniele Evelin
; Klethagen, Pål; Sagstad, Kjesti; Moen, Christine m; Torsteinsbrend, K; Linnestad, Anne-Margrethe; Nordenmark, Tonje Haug; Rismyhr, BS; Wangen, Grete; Lu, Juan; Ponsford, Jennie; Twamley, E; Ugelstad, Helene;
SPJELKAVIK, Øystein
; Løvstad, Marianne; Andelic, Nada
(2017).
Combined cognitive and vocational interventions after mild to moderate traumatic brain injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Trials.
Vol. 18.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2218-7
Terjesen, Hans Christoffer Aargaard
;
Salomon, Robert H
(2015).
Langsiktig ledelse: Om bærekraftig aldring i arbeidslivet.
ISBN: 9788202426675.
225 p.
Cappelen Damm Akademisk.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4445299
Kristiansen, Svein-Tore;
TERJESEN, Hans Chr. Aa
(2013).
Industrielt demokrati og kunnskapsorganisering: Om betingelser for medarbeiderdrevet innovasjonsarbeid i produksjonsbedrifter.
Johnsen, Hans Christian Garmann; Pålshaugen, Øyvind (Ed.).
Hva er Innovasjon? Perspektiver i norsk innovasjonsforskning. Bind 2: Organisasjon og medvirkning - En norsk modell?. p. 114-133.
Cappelen Damm Akademisk.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3522572
TERJESEN, Hans Chr. Aa
(2010).
Med en misjon i lasten: Når sårbarheten blir suksessens kriterium.
Magma forskning og viten.
Vol. 13.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4210900
