Helene Balslev Clausen

Helene Balslev Clausen is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University's Department of Culture and Learning within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She leads the Creative Learning Lab established in 2016, focusing on participatory methods blending indigenous knowledge with emergent technologies. Her work addresses sustainability transitions through three core research streams: anthropology of emergent technologies in the Global South, participatory governance models, and creative ethnographic methodologies. Key projects include addressing climate change in Bangladesh's garment industry (2024–2029) and fostering female entrepreneurship in Uganda through socio-technical solutions (2023–2026). She has been recognized with awards including Teacher of the Year 2021 and a 2020 research prize for work on Mexican social entrepreneurship. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates problem-based learning frameworks with real-world sustainability challenges, emphasizing co-creation in both education and research.

Education & Research Focus

• PhD in Anthropology
• Specialization in Tourism Sociology and Community Development

Research Interests

Dr. Clausen's work examines how localized knowledge systems interact with new technologies and global sustainability frameworks. She explores participatory processes that empower communities through creative methodologies like photovoice and drone technology, particularly in contexts such as Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos and Ugandan farming communities. Her research bridges cultural anthropology with policy analysis, emphasizing grassroots innovation and transnational mobility impacts.

Grants & Collaborations

• Co-PI on projects funded by Danish Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe
• Global partnerships with institutions in Mexico, Uganda, Fiji, and Cuba

Labs & Teams

The Creative Learning Lab serves as a hub for experimental education and research, implementing initiatives in over 20 countries. It develops frameworks for integrating speculative futures thinking into sustainability education and policy design.