I am an associate professor at the Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT), doing research and education within sustainability of food systems, with a main focus on livestock production systems. Also, I am the leader, together with my colleague professor Ola Westengen, of the NMBU sustainability arena Sustainable Food Systems. From 1st August 2024 to 31st July 2025, I am the acting leader for the research group Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems.
I am involved in these exciting projects financed by the Research Council of Norway:
Teaching
Since 2018, I have developed and established three courses here at NMBU:
LNG250, 5 ECTS, Academic writing course (autumn parallel - taught by others from 2023)
SDG200, 5 ECTS, Sustainable Food Production Systems (spring parallel)
SDG300, 5 ECTS, Sustainable Development Goals in Plant and Animal Food Systems (January block)
In August 2024, I am responsible for starting a new master's program in sustainable food systems. The program is accomplished in collaboration with great colleagues at the other faculties here at NMBU. We are establishing a new 30 ECTS course (SDG320 - The complexity of food systems) for the program, which will be run for the first time autumn 2024.
Also, I am developing a pilot version for a teaching tool that will help student to learn about food systems. The tool will give students the opportunity to explore an example of a food system, with simple mechanisms visualizing, e.g., trade-offs. This pilot is funded by Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills and will be tested on our students in postgraduate courses and the new master students. Hopefully, we will get the opportunity to further develop a full version of the tool.
SDG200 - Sustainable food production systems (5 ECTS) (new course from spring parallell 2021)
SDG300 - Sustainable development goals in plant and animal food systems (5 ECTS) (new course from Jan 2021)
SDG320 - The complexity of food systems (30 ECTS) (new course from Aug 2024, mandatory for students on MSc program Sustainable Food Systems)
LNG250 - Academic writing (5 ECTS, 2019-2022)
Name Hanne Fjerdingby Olsen
Adress Nedre Rælingsveg 622, 2009 Nordby
Phone +47 99 03 24 82 (m), +47 67 23 27 23 (w)
E-mail hanne.fjerdingby@nmbu.no
Date of birth 22th January 1974
2023- Associate professor, BIOVIT, NMBU
2018-2023 Post doc – tenure track, BIOVIT, NMBU
2011-2018 Senior researcher, BIOVIT, NMBU
2003-2011 PhD student, BIOVIT, NMBU
1999-2003 Researcher/scientific assistant, BIOVIT, NMBU
2021 Introduction to project management with emphasis on the distinctiveness of a research project, 3-days course NMBU, May-June
2021 A bio-based society: from principles to practice, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Netherlands, 28-30th April (digital) (1,5 ECTS)
2019 In-depth use of SimaPro, PRé Sustainability, Netherlands, 25-27th September.
2019 Environmental impact assessment of livestock systems, WUR, Netherlands, 11-15th Feb (2 ECTS)
2018 PPUN400 – Teaching and learning in higher education, NMBU (10 ECTS)
2003–2011 Ph.D., Dep. Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, NMBU (80% part-time job and several emergency leaves 2003-2010 due to a severely sick child)
1994–1999 Cand. Agric., Dep. Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, NMBU
2021-2022 NMBU’s talent program NOK 300.000, mentor: prof. Imke de Boer (WUR)
2017 Research grant NOK 50.000, Landslaget for dølahest, org.nr. 980 941 914
2017 Internal research grant IHA/NMBU NOK 100.000
2016 Gender equality grant, NMBU, NOK 100.000
2009 Research grant NOK 50.000, Gudrun Gaustads Minnefond, org.nr. 875 929 402
2022-2026 WP leader, PeatFree (RCN project 336233) - Modified pulpwood fibres to replace peat as a sustainable growing medium in professional horticulture
2022-2024 WP leader, Foods of Norway (Centre for research-based innovation)
2021-2025 WP leader, NewTools (RCN project 326888) - Developing tools for food system transformation, including food summary scores for nutrition and sustainability
2021-2025 WP leader, Genetic improvement of feed efficiency of Norwegian Red cows (RCN project 321455)
2020–2024 WP leader, Oil4Feed (RCN project 302543) - Oil from oleaginous microbial biomass derived from Norwegian resources as a sustainable alternative to replace Fish/Plant oils in fish feed
2020 Project leader, Sustainable production in the Norwegian food system. Funded by Animalia and MatPrat (Norwegian industry actors)
2019-2023 Project leader, LIVESTOCK (RCN project 295189) - Sustainable livestock production
2018–2023 Post doc tenure track, IHA/NMBU with special field livestock production systems and LCA
2018–2019 Network leader, Nordic network for sustainable food production in the Nordic countries. Funded by the Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research.
2016–2017 Project leader of Increased wealth creation with Fjord horse in adventure tourism in West Norway, funded by Regional Research Fund West Norway
2015–2016 Senior researcher in Runs of homozygosity for calculations of inbreeding, effective population size and relationship within and between the Norwegian and the Swedish Fjord horse, funded by The Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research
2015 Senior researcher/project leader in Cluster analysis in the coldblooded trotter, funded by The Norwegian Trotting Company
2011–2014 Project leader of Strengthening the competitive edge for the three Norwegian horse breeds, funded by The Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research
2003–2011 Research fellow in Development of the breeding of the coldblooded trotter, funded by the Norwegian Research Council
1999–2003 Scientific assistant in several external funded projects
2022-2025 NMBU sustainability arena: granted funding for establishing an arena for sustainable food systems (leading the arena together with colleague asst. prof. Ola Westengen, LANDSAM) – NOK 700,000 per year for four years.
2018-2019 Nordic network for sustainable food production in the Nordic countries. Funded by Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research. Partners: NMBU, SLU, Aarhus University, LUKE. Role: Project leader.
2018-2019 FeedMileage (RCN project). Increasing the efficiency of domestic farm animal production through nutrition and genetics. Role: Project collaborator.
2018-2019 SusPig (Era-Net project). Sustainability of pig production through improved feed efficiency. Role: Project collaborator.
Peer-reviewed papers, reports etc.
Møller, H., Rydhmer, L., Christensen, T., Poulsen, L.K., Olsen, H.F. (2024). Social life cycle assessment in current and future Norwegian livestock production using participatory approach. Accepted, Int. J. Life Cycle Assess.
Skjerve, T.A., Klemetsdal, G., Åby, B.A., Sommerseth, J. K., Indahl, U., Olsen, H.F. (2024). Using density and fuzzy clustering for data cleaning and segmental description of livestock data. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13253-024-00622-0.
Samsonstuen, S., Møller, H., Aamaas, B., Knudsen, M.T., Mogensen, L., Olsen H.F. (2024). Choice of metrics matters—Future scenarios on milk and beef production in Norway using an LCA approach. Livestock Science 279, 1-14.
Møller, H., Lyng, K.A., Röös, E., Samsonstuen, S., Olsen, H.F. (2023). Circularity indicators and added value to traditional LCA impact categories – example of pig production. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-023-02150-4
Møller, H., Samsonstuen, S., Øverland, M., Modahl, I.S., Olsen, H.F. (2022). Local non-food yeast protein in pig production – environmental impacts and land use efficiency. Livestock Science 260, 104925. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104925.
Zira, S., Röös, E., Ivarsson, E., Friman, J., Møller, H., Samsonstuen, S., Olsen, H.F., Rydhmer, L. (2022). An assessment of scenarios for future pig production using a One Health approach. Livestock Science 260, 104925. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104929.
Bardalen, A., Skjerve, T.A., Olsen, H.F. (2020). Report: Bærekraft i det norske matsystemet. Kriterier for bærekraftig produksjon (Sustainability in the Norwegian food system. Criteria for sustainable production). NMBU/NIBIO report, ISBN 978-82-575-1788-5, 176 pp. (In Norwegian)
Atsbeha, D. M., Flaten, O., Olsen, H. F., Kjos, N. P., Kidane, A., Skugor, A., Prestløkken, E., Øverland, M. (2020). Technical and Economic Performance of Alternative Feeds in Dairy and Pig Production. Livestock Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104123.
Dvergedal, H., Sagaye, A., Klemetsdal, G., Mydland, L. T., Øverland, M., Olsen, H. F. (2020). Individual phenotyping of feed efficiency in lambs fed stable isotopes through maize silage. Livestock Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104173.
Samsonstuen, S., Dolvik, N. I., Olsen, H. F., Lykkjen, S., Klemetsdal, G. (2020). Inbreeding affects racing performance negatively in the Standardbred trotter. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A, Animal science. DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2020.1779337.
Olsen, H.F., Tenhunen, S., Dolvik, N.I., Våge, D.I., Klemetsdal, G. (2020). Segment-based coancestry, additive relationship and genetic variance within and between the Norwegian and the Swedish Fjord horse populations. Acta agric. Scand. Sect. A, 69(1-2), 118-126.
Aass, L., Olsen, H. F., Åby, B. A. (2019). Report: Klimatiltak i landbruket - en utredning om modeller, karbonlagring og bærekraftig matproduksjon (Climatic actions in agriculture – a report of models, carbon sequestration and sustainable food production). Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås. ISBN 978-82-575-1648-2, 144 pp. (In Norwegian)
Olsen, H.F. & Klemetsdal, G. (2019). Validation of a temperament test in the Norwegian horse breeds. Appl. Anim. Beh. Sci., 219, 104836.
Olsen, H.F. & Klemetsdal, G. (2018). Clustering the relationship matrix as a supportive tool to maintain genetic diversity in the Scandinavian cold-blooded trotter. Acta Agric Scand. Sect. A., DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2018.1542452.
Olsen, H.F. (2017). Report: Opplevelsesturisme med hest i Vest-regionen og tilgrensende områder – med fokus på muligheter for fjordhest (In Norwegian). ISBN 978-82-575-1482-2.
Olsen, H.F., Klemetsdal, G. (2017). Temperament of the Norwegian horse breeds – a questionnaire based study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 193, 60-66.
Horn, S.S., Steinheim, G., Olsen, H.F., Gjerjordet, H.F., Klemetsdal, G. (2017). Genetic analyses of herding traits by using data from international regulated sheepdog trials. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 134(2), 144-151.
Lykkjen, S., Olsen, H.F., Dolvik, N.I., Grøndahl, A.M., Røed, K.H., Klemetsdal, G. (2014). Heritability estimates of tarsocrural osteochondrosis and palmar/plantar first phalanx osteochondral fragments in Standardbred trotters. Equine Vet. Journ. 46(1), 32-37.
Olsen, H.F., Meuwissen, T.H.E., Klemetsdal, G. (2013). Optimal contribution selection applied to the Norwegian and the North-Swedish cold-blooded trotter – a feasibility study. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 130(3), 170-177.
Olsen, H.F., Klemetsdal, G., Ødegård, J., Arnason, T. (2012). Validation of alternative models in genetic evaluation of racing performance in North Swedish and Norwegian cold-blooded trotters. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 129(2), 164-170.
Olsen, H.F., Klemetsdal, G. (2010). Management to ensure effective population size in a breeding programme for the small Norwegian horse breeds – a simulation study. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A 60:60-63.
Olsen, H.F., Klemetsdal, G., Ruane, J., Helfjord, T. (2010). Pedigree structure and genetic variation in the two endangered Norwegian horse breeds: Døle and Nordland/Lyngen. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A 60:13-22.
Conferences, seminars, etc. (past 5 years)
Bhérer-Breton, P., Woodhouse, A., Åby, B.A., Olsen, H.F. (2024). Implementing sustainability frameworks on product level – exploring the useability. Oral presentation at EAAP 2024, Florence, 1st – 5th Sep.
Lund-Iversen, K., Løvhaug, A.L., Helleve, A., Meltzer, H.M., Abel, M.H., Olsen, H.F., Morseth, M., Ydersbond, T.A., Klepp, K.I. (2024). Engagement and involvement of partners in a collaborative research project for a sustainable food system – experiences from NewTools. 13th Nordic Nutrition Conference, Bergen, June 17-19.
Bhérer-Breton, P., Woodhouse, A., Åby, B.A., Olsen, H.F. (2023). Developing a common framework to measure environmental and social sustainability of foods. Poster at EAAP 2023, Lyon, 28th-31st Aug.
Olsen, H.F., Møller, H., Samsonstuen, S., Knudsen, M.T., Mogensen, L., Röös, E. (2023). More or better to obtain sustainable livestock production? Oral presentation at EAAP 2023, Lyon, 28th-31st Aug.
Løvhaug, A.L., Garnweidner-Holme, L., Abel, M.H., Kvalem, H.E., Lund-Iversen, K., Meltzer, H.M., Olsen, H.F., Terragni, L., Helleve, A. (2023). Developing a framework for engagement of stakeholders in NewTools, a cross-sector research partnership on food profiling. Poster at ISBNPA 2023, Uppsala, 14th-17th Jul.
H.F. Olsen (2023). Invited speaker: Sustainable feed. National Conference NMBU/SINTEF, Oslo.
H.F. Olsen (2023). Invited speaker: The role of livestock in our food system – challenges and opportunities. International Dairy Federation, Oslo.Møller, H., Samsonstuen, S., Olsen, H.F. (2022). Norwegian wood: a key to sustainable feed production and improved land use efficiency? EAAP 2022 (speaker).
Samsonstuen, S., Møller, H., Aamaas, B., Olsen, H.F. (2022). Dual-purpose production of milk and beef – effect on climate change, biodiversity and land use ratio. EAAP 2022.
Møller, H., Lyng, K.A., Olsen, H.F. (2022). Food waste and product residuals as animal feed. LCA Food 2022.
Olsen, H.F. (2022). Invited speaker: Bærekraftig matproduksjon – hva er det? (Eng.: What is sustainable food production?). Landbrukskonferansen Rogaland.
Olsen, H.F. (2022). Invited speaker: Bærekraftig matproduksjon (Eng.: Sustainable food production). Temadag Norsk Teknologiplattform.
Zira, S., Olsen, H.F., Rydhmer, L. (2022). Low carbon emissions in future pig production – does a new breeding goal matter? WCGALP 2022.
Olsen, H.F. (2021). Invited speaker: Food systems and sustainable use of resources. UN Global Compact, Norway.
Olsen, H.F. (2021). Invited speaker: Food production systems. FORBEREDT webinar, Klosser Innovation and NCE Heidner Biocluster, Norway.
Olsen, H.F., Møller, H., Samsonstuen, S., Øverland, M., Mydland, L.T., Iakhno, S., Sørum, H., Press, C. (2020). GHG emissions and animal welfare in pig production using novel feed ingredients. 71th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (poster).
Samsonstuen, S., Møller, H., Olsen, H.F. (2020). Transition to domestic beef and milk production from dual purposed cattle – effect on climate change. 71th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (poster).
Olsen, H.F., Øverland, M. (2019). Exploring the sustainability of livestock systems using yeast as a next-generation protein source. 70th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, Ghent, August 26-30.
Teaching/supervision
2022 – td Establishing new MSc program in Sustainable Food Systems in collaboration with all NMBU faculties. Role: Leader.
2021 – td SDG200 Sustainable food production systems (course responsible, 5 ECTS)
2021 – td SDG300 Sustainable development goals in plant and animal food systems (course responsible, 5 ECTS)
2019 – td LNG250 Academic writing (course responsible, 5 ECTS)
2019 – td Regular guest lectures (2-4 hrs.) in 7 different courses at NMBU (AQN351, HFH255, HFX131, HFX133, HFX307/407, MVI274, PJH212)
2009 – td Supervision: 2 PhD students, 17 MSc students and 17 BSc students
2024 Group leader Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems
2022 1st opponent for PhD defense at Nord University – Hilde Halland
2019 – td Member of the scientific leader group of Foods of Norway
2017 – 2024 Faculty employee representative and board member of the Norwegian Association of Researchers
2018-2020 Internal member of evaluation committees for PhD degrees at NMBU/BIOVIT: Responsible for coordinating the evaluation of 6 PhD degrees (per June 2021)
2018-2019 Head of the recommendation committee for appointment of temporary positions at the faculty
2017-2021 Deputy board member of the faculty board