Stian Stensland

Stian Stensland is a Professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, within the Section for Ecology and Nature Management. His work bridges social and natural sciences, focusing on sustainable development through integrated approaches to nature-based tourism, fisheries management, and natural resource governance.

His research interests include:

• Nature-based Tourism and its socio-economic dimensions
• Fisheries management, particularly salmon and sea trout angling
• Landowner roles in managing fishery resources
• Stakeholder behavior and decision-making in natural resource use
• Human dimensions of wildlife and outdoor recreation
• Sustainable tourism development in Nordic contexts

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on interdisciplinary studies combining social science methodologies with ecological management challenges. His work often explores behavioral models (e.g., structural equation modelling), stakeholder typologies, and policy implications for sustainable tourism and fisheries. Key themes include voluntary conservation behaviors, tourism enterprise characteristics, and wildlife tourism experiences in Nordic regions.

He is actively involved in teaching and academic leadership, serving as program advisor for the master’s program in nature-based tourism and supervising student research. He contributes to curriculum development and promotes student engagement through innovative pedagogical methods such as digital storytelling and media outreach.

He leads and participates in several research projects, including:

• Nature Accounting for the Oslo Fjord
• Sea Trout Streams – fish, biodiversity, and management
• BIOTOUR – from natural resources to value-added tourism experiences

Stensland also contributes to public discourse through media articles on sea trout conservation, river access, and sustainable tourism. He maintains NMBU-affiliated Facebook groups to foster community and knowledge exchange among practitioners, students, and researchers in nature-based tourism, fisheries management, and sea trout stream restoration.