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Hans Christoffer Aargaard Terjesen

Hans Christoffer Aargaard Terjesen

Job title
  • Senior Researcher
Visiting address
  • Stensberggata 26, 0170 Oslo
Phone
  • Mobile: +47 930 53 461
  • Office: +47 672 35 622
E-mail
  • hans.terjesen@oslomet.no
Affiliation

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, sickness absence, and conflicts in the workplace. In recent years, he has also taught several courses at the OsloMet School of Business. His engagement in research communication and academic discussions has made him an active voice in the public debate, and he is a sought-after expert in the media.

In recent years, Terjesen has published several popular science books. In autumn 2026, his latest book on age and leadership, Langvarig ledelse – Fra hvorfor til hvordan (Long-Term Leadership – From Why to How), will be published by Cappelen Damm Akademisk.

In autumn 2026, Terjesen is the course coordinator and lecturer for a new executive education programme on leadership and long-term sickness absence at the OsloMet School of Business. He is also the 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 also contributed a chapter on the future of working life to the revised fourth edition of HR-boka, published by Gyldendal Akademisk.

In spring 2025, Terjesen published Lederens 10 nøkler til god håndtering av sykemeldte (The Leader’s 10 Keys to Managing Employees on Sick Leave). Based on leadership theory, the book explores how leaders can support employees experiencing long-term and complex sickness absence in returning to work. The book forms the basis for the executive education programme on leadership and long-term sickness absence at the OsloMet School of Business.

In autumn 2025, Terjesen also published a popular science book on defence mechanisms. The book originally began as a chapter for an academic book on leadership but developed into a standalone popular science book about defence mechanisms and life.

Terjesen has previously been a leadership columnist for Dagens Næringsliv, chaired a committee at ISO, and served on the board of the Knowledge Centre for Longer Working Lives. He has extensive experience as a speaker and facilitator of dialogue workshops, as well as broad experience in workplace assessments, the development and implementation of action plans, and conflict management. In addition, he has led sickness absence and leadership development projects with documented positive results. Terjesen's academic interests also include leadership development, identity leadership, sociological perspectives on leadership roles, organisational functioning and context, performance management, political leadership, power dynamics, and the history of leadership.

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

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

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

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



These publications are obtained from Norwegian Research Information Repository. The list may be incomplete.

Textbooks

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Forsvarsmekanismer - Hvordan og hvorfor vi lurer oss selv og andre i det daglige. ISBN: 9788283840759. 148 p. Flux forlag.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5320810

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Lederens 10 nøkler til god håndtering av sykemeldte. ISBN: 9788283840704. 139 p. Flux forlag.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4032389



These publications are obtained from Norwegian Research Information Repository. The list may be incomplete.

Research reports

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Fra hvorfor til hvordan: Aldersbevisst ledelse – hva innebærer det?. ISBN: 9788276094961. 55 p. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5277691

Terjesen, Hans Christoffer Aargaard ; Hanisch, Halvor Melbye; Dahl, Espen (2024). I get back with a little help from my boss. What constitutes successful and valued leadership, as well as failed leadership, during the return-to-work process following mild traumatic brain injury for highly autonomous employees?. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3136147

Herlofson, Katharina ; Hellevik, Tale ; Frøyland, Kjetil ; Salomon, Robert H ; TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard ; Solem, Per Erik (2020). Hevet aldersgrense i arbeidslivet – problemer eller nye muligheter?. ISBN: 9788278947326. 87 p. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12199/2988

SPJELKAVIK, Øystein ; TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2016). Evaluering av forsøket «Arbeidsavklaringspenger (AAP) som lønnstilskudd». Sluttrapport fra følgeforskningen. ISBN: 9788276093810. 114 p. Arbeidsforskningsinstituttet.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5002217

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2016). Samarbeid og suksesskriterier i forbindelse med nedbamanning i FMC. En evaluering av Navs innsats. Arbeidsforskningsinstituttet.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4833785

Terjesen, Hans Christoffer Aargaard ; Salomon, Robert H ; Bernstrøm, Vilde Hoff (2015). HR-funksjonens rolle i seniorpolitikken. ISBN: 9788276093650. 42 p. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12199/6242

TERJESEN, Hans Chr. Aa ; Svare, Helge ; Salomon, Robert H (2014). Terjesen, H., Svare, H. og Salomon, R. (2014): «Etter 1001 natt» Hvordan kan god ledelse bidra til å utsette tidligpensjon i industrien? AFI-FoU 2014. 62 p. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3440981

TERJESEN, Hans Chr. Aa ; Hilsen, Anne Inga (2013). Samarbeid om redusert sykefravær i prosessindustrien. 28 p. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12199/6197

Terjesen, Hans Chr. Aa ; Lau, Bjørn; Salomon, Robert H (2012). ”Er du her, så regner jeg med deg!”. En studie av god ledelse innenfor pleie og omsorg: Hvordan kan utøvelse av ledelse bidra til å forlenge yrkeskarrieren for seniorer i en sektor preget av tidligpensjonering og uførhet?. ISBN: 9788276093179. 59 p. Arbeidsforskningsinstituttet.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4689558

Legard, Sveinung ; TERJESEN, Hans Chr. Aa (2010). Strategies and Skills in Transitions to Tertiary Education and Employment. 54 p. OECD.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3824136



These publications are obtained from Norwegian Research Information Repository. The list may be incomplete.

Dissemination

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Forsker prøvde å gå en dag uten å bruke forsvars­mekanismer. Han holdt ut en time.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331132

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Forsker om influensa: – Ikke gå på jobb om du er syk.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331131

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Influensaen er her: Når bør du holde deg hjemme?.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331130

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Ledelse når folk skal stå lenger i jobb: Flytt blikket fra «jeg» til «vi», sier forsker.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331100

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). EMagasin - hrmagasinet.no.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331103

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Når kloke ledere saboterer seg selv - ledernytt.no.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331101

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Hvorfor og hvordan ledere og medarbeidere lurer seg selv og andre i det daglige.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331126

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). MellomLeder #27 Kan prototypeledelse få oss til å stå lengre i jobb?.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331124

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Lansering! PEN-PODDEN: Ytringsfrihet i arbeidslivet. - Norsk PEN.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331117

TERJESEN, Hans Christoffer Aargaard (2025). Onderzoeker probeerde 24 uur te leven zonder ook maar één verdedigingsmechanisme te gebruiken. Een uur later besefte hij hoe je de meest voorkomende makkelijk kunt doorbreken | wibnet.nl.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5331115



See all publications


These publications are obtained from Norwegian Research Information Repository. The list may be incomplete.
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