Richard Fjellaxsel

Richard Fjellaxsel serves as an Associate Professor in Radiography at UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. He holds dual research roles as a Senior researcher at CARE (Center for Avalanche Research and Education) and as a member of the "Acute and critically ill" research group.

His research spans two distinct but complementary domains: medical imaging/radiopharmacy and avalanche safety education. Fjellaxsel has made significant contributions to radiopharmaceutical development, particularly in GnRH receptor ligands for brain imaging, and has more recently transitioned toward avalanche safety research and outdoor education pedagogy.

His publication record shows a clear evolution from medical imaging research (2015-2020) to avalanche safety education (2021-present), reflecting his growing expertise in decision-making under uncertainty and outdoor risk management. This interdisciplinary approach bridges healthcare safety protocols with wilderness risk assessment.

• Hold Pusten Article Prize for 2023

Fjellaxsel teaches across all levels of the radiography bachelor's program, as well as master's and doctoral courses, with a focus on integrating practical safety considerations into medical imaging education. His work with the GUESSED project examines decision-making under uncertainty, connecting his medical and avalanche safety expertise through common themes of risk assessment and safety protocols.

He leads research on the Reflectometer tool for enhancing learning in avalanche courses and investigates collective intelligence in safety judgments among backcountry skiers, demonstrating his commitment to developing innovative educational approaches for high-risk environments.