Areas of responsibility
Background and civil status: B. 1952; grew up on a farm near Fevik in Grimstad municipality; married to Astrid since 1972; we have one son born 1982; dwell at Bjorbekk in Arendal municipality; fond of antiquities and member of a Christian church.
Education:Primary school 1966; senior secondary school 1971; teacher training certificate 1974; higher degree in education + 90 ects in history at University of Oslo 1979; developmental studies from University of Uppsala Sweden 1998.
Experiences:Teacher for pupils with intellectual disability 1978-93; educational officer and counselor in charge of (a) developing the school system of a region in Southern Sudan (1983-85), and (b) training of teachers in special needs education in Tanzania (1997-99); part time consultant on a health project in India (1988-93); lecturer at University of Agder (1993-2014), in particular teaching counseling, social education and special needs education; associate professor in 2003, and professor in 2012 in counseling and special needs education. Deputy headmaster (1988-93) and study unit leader of social education for 4 years (2004-2007).