About
Hans Christoffer Aargaard Terjesen is an expert in leadership and has in recent years focused his research particularly on how leaders can address aging, generational dynamics, sick leave, and conflicts 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 autumn 2026, Terjesen will publish his new book with Cappelen Damm Akademisk, Langvarig ledelse – Fra hvorfor til hvordan (Long-term Leadership – From Why to How), focusing on age-conscious leadership. In autumn 2026, he is course coordinator and main lecturer for the new executive continuing education programme in leadership and long-term sick leave at the OsloMet School of Business. He is also course coordinator and lead lecturer in Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) in the master’s programme in Economics and Administration at the OsloMet School of Business, a role he also held in 2025 and 2024. In 2026, Terjesen has also contributed a chapter on the future of work to the revised fourth edition of HR-boka, published by Gyldendal.
In spring 2025, Terjesen published Lederens 10 nøkler til god håndtering av sykemeldte (The Leader’s 10 Keys to Effectively Managing Employees on Sick Leave). The book describes how leaders can support employees with long-term and complex sick leave in returning to work, based on leadership theory. The book forms the academic basis for the executive continuing education programme in leadership and long-term sick leave at the OsloMet School of Business.
In autumn 2025, Terjesen also published a popular science book on defence mechanisms. The book originally started as a chapter for an academic book on leadership but developed into an independent popular science book about defence mechanisms and everyday life.
Terjesen’s engagement in research communication and academic discussions has made him an active voice in the public debate. He has extensive experience as a speaker and facilitator of dialogue workshops and is a sought-after expert in the media.
Terjesen has previously been a leadership columnist for Dagens Næringsliv, chair of an ISO committee, and a board member of the Knowledge Centre for Longer Working Lives. He also has extensive experience with workplace assessments, the development and implementation of action plans, and 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
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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.
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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
