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Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Institutt for idrett og friluftsliv

Professor

I am concerned with what happens to us in the face of nature, both through free expression and through participation on organized tours through supervision/or guiding. Inspired by recent theories about quality of life (eudaimonic wellbeing), I am particularly concerned with what is experienced as meaningful and how outdoor life can contribute to a richer and nature friendly life, not just for a privileged middle class, but more generally. In my approach, I am concerned with addressing motivation for doing outdoor activities and identifying strengthening elements through what happens in the encounter with nature. From an emotion theory perspective, different experiences are explored and analyzed, both with quantitative and qualitative methods. I am particularly concerned with identifying experiences that bring us new perspectives and understandings of ourselves and the world we live in. This is explored, among other things, emotionally, aesthetically and spiritually. Central is the understanding of flow experiences, awe and transcendence. In this exploration I am concerned with the distinction between "doing" and "being". Understandings that help to promote sustainability actualize the value of outdoor life in everything from kindergartens and schools to higher education, healthcare and business.

Professor in friluftsliv with the following education:

  • Ph.D. from Department of Psychology, University of Bergen, 2016 . Title: Inside the outdoor experience. On the distinction between pleasure and interest and their implication in the motivational process (thesis available online: http://bora.uib.no/handle/1956/12675)
  • Master Degree in friluftsliv didactics (Cand scient), Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 1998
  • Cand mag with 2-year study of  friluftsliv-, nature og culture mediation, 1-year study of environmental education, 1-year study of philosophy + Ex phil, 1995

Teaching

  • Naturguiding as profession 
  • Friluftsliv and quality of life
  • Health promotion 

Research Groups

  • Future skills lab
  • View of nature, aesthetics and ethics
  • Sports, physical education and friluftsliv
  • Culture and health 

Research interests

Positive emotions, flow experience, awe, eudaimonic well-being, motivation, values within friluftsliv

Windjammer - tallship experiences for youths at risk

Research project that explores what happens when youths at risk participate on a one-month tall ship expedition with Christian Radich.

Research collaborator: Gunvor Marie Dyrdal (NTNU)

Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. It is also conducted "sensory ethnography" as method

 

Publications: 

Dyrdal, Gunvor Marie, and Helga Synnevåg Løvoll. 2023. "Windjammer: Finding Purpose and Meaning on a Tall Ship Adventure" Social Sciences 12, no. 8: 459. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12080459

Awe and spiritual wellbeing

Research project that explores aspects of encounters with nature as transforming experiences. 

Collaboration partners: Knut-Willy Sæther, Mark Graves (USA) and the research group Views of nature, aesthetics and ethics

 

Publications: 

Graves, M., Løvoll, H.S. & Sæther, K.-W. (2020). Friluftsliv: Aesthetic and psychological experience of wilderness adventure. In M. Fuller, D. Evers, A. Runehov, B. Souchard, and K.-W. Sæther (Eds.), Issues in Science and Theology: Nature and beyond. Springer. pp 207-220. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-31182-7

Løvoll, H.S. (2020). Naturen som rom: Filosofisk samtale gjennom erfaring i natur. I K.-W. Sæther og A. Askim (red). Rom og sted: Religionsfaglige og interdisiplinære bidrag (Kap 10, s. 189-206). Cappelen Damm Akademisk. https://doi.org/10.23865/noasp.110.ch10 .

Løvoll, H.S. & Sæther, K.-W. (2022). Awe experiences, the sublime, and spiritual wellbeing in Arctic wilderness. Frontiers in psychology. 13:973922. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.973922 

Løvoll, H. S., Sæther, K.-W., & Graves, M. (2020). Feeling at home in the wilderness: environmental conditions, well-being & aesthetic experience. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00402 .

 

Creative wellbeing

Ongoing research project that explores both creativity and wellbeing as moral terms, which together adds new knowledge about wellbeing. 

Collaboration partners: Wenche Torrissen and Future Skills Lab

 

Publications:

Torrissen, W. & Løvoll, H. S. (2022). Å skape noe nytt som har verdi: Betydningen av kreativitet for eudaimonisk livskvalitet, i G. Hjorthol, H.S. Løvoll, E. Oltudal & J.I. Sørbø, (Red.): Stemma og stilla i musikken: Festskrift til Magnar Åm. Cappelen Damm Akademisk.

Film: Naturnærvær (biography made by Eirik Strand and Ida Kippersund Bringslid)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BrKwJPp7_2pJpPIDzoHqhXAeSSEHf8lB/view

Research

CRIStin

Scientific articles and book chapters

Forskning om naturglede og natursorg
Published 2025 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Three moods of approaching friluftsliv and their relationships with sustainability
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Knut-Willy Sæther, Gunvor Marie Dyrdal

Nearby nature and wellbeing: an examination of place-belongingness and meaning in life among native and migrant residents in Norway
Published 2024 by Raul Grau-Ruiz, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Perceived teacher support in secondary education from 1980 to 2019: An integrative review
Published 2023 by Violeta Botellero, Stine Margrethe Ekornes, Siv Therese Måseidvåg Gamlem, Wenche Torrissen, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Windjammer: Finding Purpose and Meaning on a Tall Ship Adventure
Published 2023 by Gunvor Marie Dyrdal, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Awe experiences, the sublime, and spiritual well-being in Arctic wilderness
Published 2022 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Knut-Willy Sæther

Transparent guiding: contributions to theory of nature guide practice
Published 2021 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Ola Einang

Exploring coping strategies in physical education. A qualitative case study
Published 2021 by Eli-Karin Sjåstad Åsebø, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Feeling at Home in the Wilderness: Environmental Conditions, Well-Being & Aesthetic Experience
Published 2020 by Knut-Willy Sæther, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Mark Graves

Development of positive emotions in physical education: Person-centered approach for understanding motivational stability and change
Published 2019 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Marte Bentzen, Reidar Säfvenbom

Can balance be boring?: A critique of the “challenges should match skills” hypotheses in flow theory
Published 2014 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Joar Vittersø

Mot i brystet, vett i pannen : kan man bli syk av å være mye ute på tur?
Published 2010 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Arven etter Nelly
Published 2002 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Other works

Friluftslivets nedbygging av natur?
Published 2025 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Boklansering: Kreativ wellbeing
Published 2025 by Wenche Torrissen, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Knut-Willy Sæther, Siv Therese Måseidvåg Gamlem, Dag Erik Wold, Raul Grau-Ruiz

Naturformidling – i en tid med økt press på naturen
Published 2025 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

An introduction to friluftsliv and the practice of vegledning in higher education
Published 2025 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Menneskenes natur
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Comment adopter le «friluftsliv», l'art de vivre norvégien qui reconnecte à la nature
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Afterword
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Wenche Torrissen

The art of walking. Finding resources for creative wellbeing
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Raul Grau-Ruiz

Creative wellbeing in nature
Published 2024 by Knut-Willy Sæther, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Dag Erik Wold

Frameworks for creative wellbeing. Arts and nature meet positive psychology
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Wenche Torrissen

Exploring Creative Wellbeing Frameworks in Context. Nature, Culture, and Sustainable Futures
Published 2024 by Wenche Torrissen, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll
Publisher: Routledge

Creative wellbeing at sea. The Windjammer Project
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Gunvor Marie Dyrdal

Natur og livskvalitet
Published 2024 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Creative wellbeing – how nature and culture can build a flourishing and sustainable future
Published 2024 by Wenche Torrissen, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Rikere liv med følelsen awe
Published 2023 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Forskning på livsmestring. Å finne mening
Published 2023 by Gunvor Marie Dyrdal, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Positive følelser, flyt og eudaimonia
Published 2023 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Selvbestemmelsesteori
Published 2023 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Natur og lykkefølelse
Published 2023 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Framtidskompetanse/ 21st century skills: Hva kan friluftsliv bidra med?(keynote)
Published 2023 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

« Friluftsliv », la formule norvégienne pour atteindre des sommets
Published 2023 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Å oppleve naturen i et rolig tempo er godt for den mentale helsen vår
Published 2022 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Creative wellbeing: Creating connections for eudaimonic wellbeing (Symposium)
Published 2022 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Opplevelser og bærekraft - fra et livskvalitetsperspektiv
Published 2022 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Exploring narratives of awe-inspiring experiences in Arctic nature
Published 2022 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Knut-Willy Sæther

Ut i naturen
Published 2022 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Betydningen av natur i forbindelse med psykisk helse
Published 2022 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Destination wellness
Published 2021 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Heklehatt
Published 2021 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Å sitte stille i naturen kan gi bedre helse
Published 2021 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Å sitte stille i naturen kan gi bedre helse, mener forsker
Published 2021 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Intervju med Radio Volda i samband med nettverksmøte for Kvinneløftet
Published 2021 by Kristin Kibsgaard Sjøhelle, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Elise (24) synes omveier gir henne bedre helse
Published 2021 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Naturen som rom: Filosofisk samtale gjennom erfaring i natur
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Friluftsliv handler ikke bare om aktiviteter
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Friluftsliv: Aesthetic and Psychological Experience of Wilderness Adventure
Published 2020 by Mark Graves, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Knut-Willy Sæther

Podkast: Hvordan naturen påvirker våre følelser
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Du kan sitte stille i skogen og bli stadig sunnere
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Friluftsambassadøren
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Friluft som terapi
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Friluftsliv: The Norwegian love for the outdoors
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Skrytebilder fra fjelltopper og tider på løpeturer i skogen imponerer ikke førsteamanuensis Helga S. Løvoll
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Møt ein forskar (film)
Published 2020 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Opplevelser av skjønnhet i fjellet
Published 2019 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Knut-Willy Sæther, Mark Graves

Development of positive emotions in physical education in association with motivation: A person-centered approach
Published 2019 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Marte Bentzen, Reidar Säfvenbom

Naturopplevelser og naturvern. Introduksjon til filmen "Kvinne på krigsstien"
Published 2019 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Hvordan tilfredsstille våre grunnleggende psykologiske behov? Teori og praksis om selvbestemmelse
Published 2018 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Opplevelser av skjønnhet i vinterfjellet
Published 2018 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Knut-Willy Sæther, Mark Graves

Flyt og indre motivasjon
Published 2018 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Friluftsliv: Estetiske og psykologiske opplevelser i naturen
Published 2018 by Knut-Willy Sæther, Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Deep experiences
Published 2017 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Følelser på tur
Published 2017 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Semsvannet, for svingende!
Published 2017 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Den gode turen
Published 2017 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Hvorfor hilser vi egentlig på fremmede ute i naturen?
Published 2017 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Nature guiding: supporting guest happiness along with a low ecological footprint
Published 2016 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Ola Einang, Sigmund Andersen, Stig Løland

Endring, motivasjon og kommunikasjon
Published 2016 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Den beste turgleda kjem etter turen
Published 2016 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Hvordan motivere barnet: Gode råd fra en doktor i turglede
Published 2016 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Positive følelser fasiliterer indremotivasjon
Published 2016 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Espen Røysamb, Joar Vittersø

The Power of experiences. Momentary experience of intrinsic motivation analyzed With Experience Fluctuation Model and Flow-Simplex
Published 2016 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Joar Vittersø, Espen Røysamb

Verden vil ha ekte opplevelser
Published 2015 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Friluftsliv - om å føle nærhet til natur (oversatt fra norsk til tsjekkisk)
Published 2015 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Gode opplevlser: Om forholdet mellom følelser og motivasjon
Published 2014 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Indicators of flow experience in the outdoor adventure
Published 2014 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Opplevelser og motivasjon
Published 2013 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Jentene på tur
Published 2013 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Motivasjon for læring/ endring
Published 2012 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Oplevelse og læring i naturen
Published 2012 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Hva er velfungering?
Published 2012 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

How important is a peak experience? Eudaimonic and hedonic feelings are transformed differently from real time to remembered experience
Published 2012 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Joar Vittersø

Slik møter du den mørke årstiden
Published 2011 by Helga S Løvoll

Turens høydepunkt? En analyse av emosjonelle dynamikker i turevalueringen
Published 2011 by Helga S Løvoll

Flytopplevelser gjennom friluftsliv
Published 2011 by Helga S Løvoll

Den lykkelige turen
Published 2011 by Helga S Løvoll

When the balance is boring. It feels better when challenges are not matching skills
Published 2010 by Helga Løvoll, Joar Vittersø

Aristoteliske perspektiv på praksisforståelser i friluftsliv
Published 2009 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll
Publisher: Høgskulen i Volda

Acting on the edge: High Challenge Facilitates Flow, but Hampers the Experience of Mastery
Published 2009 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll, Joar Vittersø

Friluftsliv og det gode liv
Published 2008 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Levendegjøring av kulturhistorien - et mesterlig prosjekt?
Published 2007 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Hvordan vekke et friluftslivsengasjement hos idrettsstudenter? : didaktiske erfaringer fra et 3 dagers vinterkurs på Standaleidet
Published 2007 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll
Publisher: Høgskulen i Volda

Levendegjøring av kystkulturhistorie
Published 2006 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Levendegjøring av kystkulturhistorie
Published 2006 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Naturopplevelsen i det postmoderne
Published 2004 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Fysisk aktivitet i skolehverdagen : uteskolen som eksempel
Published 2004 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Uren, luren, himmelturen!
Published 2003 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll

Barn og ekstremvær
Published 2003 by Helga Synnevåg Løvoll