Meet our New Co-Leader of the Hazards Research Group

Education

Jensen started at the Institute of Marine Research about a year ago, and is affiliated with the Bjerknes Center. With a master's degree in physical oceanography from the Institute of Geophysics and a doctorate in climate dynamics from the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bergen, she has a solid academic background.

She also has a postdoctoral position from the same institution, where she focused on paleoclimate. She received her doctorate in 2017 with the thesis "Abrupt changes in sea ice and dynamics of Dansgaard-Oeschger events".

From Science to Industry

- It was my love of science that led me into climate research. When I realized I could combine an interest in weather with mathematics, I applied to GFI, Jensen explains.

Before joining the Institute of Marine Research, she had a brief period in the consulting industry, working with issues related to aquaculture. She describes it as a valuable learning experience.

- It was exciting to try something new and see what I could contribute to the industry. I was working on challenges that were on a completely different time scale than I was used to from paleoclimate research, Jensen says with a smile.

- It was interesting to work on questions with immediate practical relevance and to gain insight into what the industry focuses on and needs, she explains.

Researching Climate Change in Coastal Areas

But she quickly realized that she missed research and didn’t stay long in the consulting industry.

- I quickly understood that I wanted to return to research. It’s very meaningful to work on something that is both societally relevant and scientifically challenging.

At the Institute of Marine Research, Jensen focuses in particular on the impact of aquaculture on the coastal environment. At the Bjerknes Centre, her work focuses on how climate change affects Norwegian coastal areas and fjords.

- The research we conduct at the Institute of Marine Research aims to understand how this, in turn, affects fisheries, aquaculture, and other economic activities. It’s about understanding what’s happening in the fjords now and what we can expect over the next five to ten years, she says.

As the new co-leader of the Hazards group, Jensen brings with her both broad expertise in climate science and a strong motivation to contribute to increased knowledge about future climate risks. With her combination of paleoclimate expertise and applied research experience, she is well-equipped to take part in the important work the group is doing moving forward.