Why Study Maritime Human Factors?
This course provides an overview of collaboration and the work environment in maritime organisations. Join us to explore and reflect on key aspects such as psychological safety, bullying and harassment, trust, diversity, and the importance of creating environments that support human operators
The online learning material is delivered in a flexible format, giving you the opportunity to explore, reflect, and learn at your own pace.
Learning goals:
- Reflect on the important role of humans working in the maritime industry.
- Understand human behaviour, collaboration, and strategies for improving the work environment.
- Understand how humans contribute to safety – and how they can be supported.
Practical Information
Certificate of completion
If you would like to receive a certificate of completion after completing the course, please send an email to ftms-studie@hvl.no with the name of the course in the subject line. The course does not award academic credits.
- The course is only open to participants with a Norwegian BankID.
- The application deadline is 1 December 2026.
Teaching format
Designed for flexibility, this course include videos, written materials and interactive activities—so you can learn at your own pace, wherever you are. No formal admission requirements.
You will have access to the course in the Canvas learning platform until and including 15 December 2026.
Course structure - 4 modules
The course consists of 4 modules:
- Psychosocial Work Environment
This module focuses on the psychosocial work environment. Key theoretical concepts will be introduced and explained before we turn to the specific challenges found in today’s maritime context. Finally, we will explore strategies for improving and developing the psychosocial work environment in maritime organizations - Culture, Diversity and Safety
Human communication is inherently complex, and this module addresses several aspects of that complexity. It examines various balancing acts, such as how communication involves both listening and expressing simultaneously. It also highlights paradoxes—for example, the idea that we may need to rely on certain stereotypes in order to overcome prejudices that hinder effective and safe collaboration. The module further explores the concept of culture and how individuals can draw on cultural resources to bridge differences and collaborate effectively and safely. - Trust and Safety
Trust is a fundamental and complex part of all human relationships—whether between people or between people and objects. In any interaction, we constantly assess whether we trust the other person or the object involved. When trust is high, relationships tend to feel stronger, collaboration becomes more efficient, and safety improves. At the same time, we inevitably interact with people we do not fully trust. How does that affect our behavior? How should we manage low-trust relationships? And how does safety relate to the many nuances of trust within these interactions? To answer these questions, we need to understand what trust is, how we evaluate trustworthiness, and—importantly—how trust is built, maintained, or lost. - Is Everything Onboard Designed for Humans?
This module introduces the concept of human-centered design and explores the importance of considering human needs when developing new technologies and other aspects of the work environment.
Target Audience
The course is open to anyone with a Norwegian BankID and is suitable for people working in the maritime industry who are interested in human behaviour and technology.
The course is taught in English.
Meet the Instructors
