Helge Thorbjørnsen Turns 50
NHH Rector Helge Thorbjørnsen celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday 25 October.
Helge assumed the role of Rector at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) in August 2025 and is now enjoying his first term as the school’s dynamic and energetic leader. He has had a long career at NHH, but his journey began at the University of Bergen, where he earned his cand.mag. degree in 1998. Originally, the plan was to pursue a master’s degree in economics – but during an after-party, he learned that NHH offered both a stipend and an office for its postgraduate students. The choice, as he puts it, was easy.
At NHH, he completed his cand.merc. degree in 2001 and earned a PhD in Strategy and Management in 2003. His professional career at NHH began as a research fellow in 2000, and by 2003, he had been appointed Associate Professor at the Department of Strategy and Management. At just 32 years old, he became a professor and has since established himself as a leading expert in marketing, consumer psychology, technology adoption, and branding.
Helge’s academic profile is broad, curious, and vibrant. His research and teaching span topics ranging from innovation and technology adoption to the subjects he is most passionate about: human behavior, decision-making, and, more recently, happiness and quality of life.
Together with his colleague Hallgeir Sjåstad, Helge developed the happiness course SOL21, which quickly became a student favorite. 'We created the course we wish we had as students,' Helge says. The course is about what truly makes us happy, based on solid research in psychology and behavioral economics.
Helge conveys his knowledge with enthusiasm, humor, and a good dose of charm – often while sporting his signature red shoes with rubber studs. He has even appeared on Lindmo on NRK to discuss his popular science book, “Tallskalle” (“Number Geek”), co-written with Micael Dahlen from the Stockholm School of Economics. The book, translated into several languages, reveals how numbers influence our lives more than we might think.
Over the years, Helge’s energy and expertise have benefitted both NHH and society. He served as NHH’s Vice Rector for Research from 2013 to 2018 while also acting as Dean of the PhD program. He has led research centers such as the Center for Service Innovation and DIG, chaired the National Research School in Business Economics, and is currently the Research Director at SNF AS.
In addition, Helge has held numerous board positions, including Chairman of the Boards of SNF and AFF, and board memberships with the Norwegian Consumer Council, the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Innovation Company (VIS), Media City Bergen, Studia, and Colonialen. He doesn’t just study innovation – he drives it forward, notably as the co-founder of the technology company Ease Live.
Helge is a highly valued leader and colleague, admired for his remarkable energy, academic authority, and infectious enthusiasm. NHH’s core values – a culture of quality, high ethical standards, and a commitment to shared goals – are evident in his leadership. When he took over the reins from his predecessor Øystein Thøgersen, he received one key piece of advice: “Remember to have fun along the way.” Helge has embraced this advice, with his red shoes, a twinkle in his eye, and a genuine curiosity for people and their decisions.
Helge’s contributions to the school, its leadership, and to everyone working and studying here are already significant and meaningful. We look forward to many more years of his guidance with great anticipation and gratitude.
We wholeheartedly congratulate him on his 50th birthday!
Head of Department Vidar Schei
Vice Rector Kurt R. Brekke,
and all colleagues at NHH