Elsa Haagensen Karlsen is an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management and Programme Director for the Logistics Programme at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Norway.
With a professional background from the maritime industry and the oil and gas sector, she combines practical industry experience with teaching, research, and educational development in supply chain management, quality management, organizational learning, and emerging technologies.
Her work focuses on how systems thinking, visual collaboration, and data-driven decision support can strengthen learning, decision-making, and organizational development.
Through her teaching and collaboration with industry, she explores how approaches traditionally used in operational environments—such as Obeya—can be adapted to develop the competencies needed for future supply chain professionals.
Elsa is a member of ALIOS, a Norwegian think tank dedicated to organizational learning, leadership, innovation, and future-oriented development.
She is particularly interested in how educational and organizational environments can foster collective learning, resilience, and the ability to navigate increasing complexity.
