Ane Kristiansen Solbraa

Field of work

I am Vice-Dean for Education at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences from 1st of August 2025. My area of responsibility involves supporting the Dean and the departments in strategic choices for the development of the study portfolio at the faculty, leading the study quality work and contributing to the work of realizing HVL's strategy with a particular focus on the field of education. Collaboration with other institutions for the development and operation of study programmes and quality of education is also essential. 

I have a PhD from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) in physical activity and health (2015) and am a trained physiotherapist from Oslo University College (2006) with a master's degree in sports science from NIH (2007) and a can.mag. from Sogn og Fjordane University of Applied Sciences and NIH. 

In the period 2018-2024, I was assistant head of department at the Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences at the Faculty of Education, Arts and Sport with responsibility for sports, outdoor life and public health education, teacher education in physical education and sports in Bergen, Sogndal and Stord. 

As an assistant head of department, I sat in the period 2019-2024 in the working committee of the National Academic Body for Sport and Physical Education in UHR, in 2020-2023 as chair of the professional body. 

My permanent position at HVL is as an associate professor at the Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences in the fields of physical activity and health. I have taught public health work there and have especially worked with topics such as mapping of physical activity, public health, healthy life centers, action for increased physical activity in everyday life and cycling as active mobility. I have been the program coordinator for the bachelor's degree in sports, physical activity and health and the master's in sports science. 

In recent years, I have taken some education in management at master's level at NTNU, participated in several leadership development programs and taken education in university pedagogy and co-creation, innovation and sustainability. 

Teaches

• Previously, I have taught courses in the bachelor's degree in sports, physical activity and health, the master's degree in sports science, the master's degree in interaction in health and social services and continuing and further education in public health work in the fields of public health work, preventive physical activity, activity medicine and physical activity and public health.

Researching

My PhD dealt with physical activity and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. After completing my PhD, my research has mainly focused on preventive physical activity in the health service and population interventions for increased physical activity in everyday life, including cycling as active transport. My research activity has been particularly linked to these three projects:

• Health benefits of cycling as a mode of transport
• Frisklivsentral – a municipal health service for lifestyle change
• Physical activity and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adults in Sogn og Fjordane