Jesper Aagaard Petersen

Jesper Aagaard Petersen is the Vice-Dean of Research at the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) until 2025. He holds an associate professorship in Religious Studies Education and specializes in modern Satanism, religious education theory, and contemporary Western religious phenomena. His research interests include conspiracy theories in education, secularity, transgressive art, and the academic study of religion. Petersen has co-managed the research group KONSPISK focusing on conspiracy thinking and contributed to initiatives like the 'Rapport om utvidelse av forskerlinjer ved NTNU' (2020).

His academic background includes a PhD dissertation on modern Satanism (2011) and tenure as Head of Research for four years. Petersen has authored/co-authored books such as The Invention of Satanism (2016) and Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology (2009). His work bridges religious studies with sociology, exploring topics like science as a secular 'religion,' and the intersection of religion and popular culture.

• Key Responsibilities: Strategic research leadership, doctoral education, and representing NTNU nationally/internationally.
• Research Focus: Modern Satanism, conspiracy theories, secularity, and interdisciplinary religious education.
• Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes since 2001.

Petersen has presented at conferences like the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism and co-organized events such as the ‘Art, Anarchy and Apostasy’ panel (2014). His outreach includes popular science articles on topics like plant communication and secular apocalypses.