Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter

Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter is a Professor at the Physical Activity and Health Research Group within the Department of Science, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences at Queen Maud University College. She holds a master’s in sports science from the Norwegian School of Sports Science and a doctorate in psychology from NTNU. Sandseter’s research focuses on risky play in early childhood education, emphasizing how physical environments shape children’s exploration of limits and developmental opportunities.

• Education: Major in sports (Norwegian School of Sports Science), PhD in psychology (NTNU)

Her work challenges Western societies’ overemphasis on safety in childhood environments, advocating for free outdoor play to build resilience and self-efficacy. Current projects like ViRMa (Virtual Risk Management) use VR and motion capture to study how risky play fosters risk assessment skills. Previously, she led the EnCompetence project, linking physical environments to play behavior and activity levels.

Her academic output spans behavioral studies, psychometric assessments, and policy advocacy, with keywords including child development, virtual reality, and play-based learning. She actively disseminates findings through international lectures and collaborations, particularly on ethical challenges in risky play. No scientific awards or student advisement details are listed in the provided text.