– Creating a successful research project is like building a small house

The patterned scarf around his neck matches the dark green velvet shirt. His hair has effortless, yet polished waves and his skin is freshly shaved. Prior to the interview, he sent a 12-page long CV. If there was any doubt, there isn't any longer. Einar Leknes is a man who has his affairs in order.

When he grew up in Sortland in Lofoten during the 1960s and 70s, he paid attention to details. He saw a town where the harbor front was dominated by industry and closed off from the sea - the very thing the town had depended on for hundreds of years.

– Sortland experienced a lot of growth and has very little left of its original self. The shoreline is long but is characterized by industry and separated from the rest of the town and is not used. A town's public spaces contributes to quality of life and you can see how a city functions well where public spaces open up towards the sea, but Sortland is in contrast to modern city planning, says Leknes.

In the early 1970s, he graduated from high school. Norwegian cities were growing, and at this time, many Norwegians began to have access to a car, which changed urban planning for good. There was a need for people who could plan future cities and infrastructure.

– The experiences in Sortland were one of the reasons why I chose to study civil engineering with a specialization in urban and regional planning, he recalls.

When he started at Rogalandsforskning in 1990, the studies were also about planning and the future. Leknes conducted research on the socio-economic consequences of a mainland connection between Rennesøy, north of Stavanger, and the mainland at Randaberg, as well as a controversial project on the consequences of EU membership for Rogaland. He earned a doctorate degree on the environmental, social, and fisheries-related consequences of petroleum development. Most of his work focused on the consequences of major decisions and planning ahead when things change.

– I am a social scientist, but essentially a planner. I want things to be in order and I always think ahead. I want to be ahead of the curve. It is somewhat contradictory to research. It is difficult to do research on things that happen in the future. We study what has happened, but I have created many scenario projects.

He points, among other things, to research on transportation. In recent years, he and colleagues in the research group 'Climate, Environment & Sustainability' have investigated the societal consequences of major transportation projects, the effects initiatives have had on transportation development and how people's travel habits change.

In 2023, they found that despite big cities' efforts to achieve zero growth in car traffic, traffic has increased. This increase is primarily due to electric cars, among other things, because more people have electric cars and electric cars are exempt from value-added tax and pay less in tolls.

Leknes highlights the transportation studies as good examples of where social research has its relevance.

– Where something is at stake. Where there is political disagreement and you have to make major decisions. Where it is not obvious what the solution is. It is not always obvious what the solution is, but how can research contribute to bringing knowledge into the process? That is the task of research, he says, adding:

– Clients want decision-relevant analyses that can provide a basis for better solutions. Much of the research we do illuminates problems and points to solutions. We provide the basis for political decision-making.

Although the institute sector is closely related to decision-making, Leknes believes that politicians do not listen to the conclusions of research.

– In transportation research and other areas, it can be difficult for politicians to listen to research because they have different perceptions and opinions, he says, pointing out that there is a political struggle over how mobility needs should be addressed.

– It is very positive that researchers are seen and heard in the media, but at the same time, I feel that society has become more politicized. You see it in the world and here in Norway. We get small parties that tip important decisions. People are not interested in finding good solutions they can agree on. Many politicians are more concerned with presenting their policies. They cultivate disagreement instead of cultivating agreement. The media fosters this disagreement. We face challenges that require major changes. From fossil to renewable, we must reduce consumption, and there are major demographic changes that will be challenging. The green shift is a major challenge and will continue to be a major challenge for a long time to come. There is a need for broad agreement, but it seems difficult.

Having published over 100 research papers, Einar Leknes can look back on a successful research career as he approaches retirement. In addition to his academic publications, he has often contributed with opinion pieces and chronicles in the media.

– For me, the most important thing is not always to get published articles. You publish if possible, but I like to compete. Building a good research project, completing it, and seeing the results is like building a small house, he says.

– Good research is a report or scientific article and an opinion piece or appearance on radio and TV. It's about trying to communicate the project all the way. Social research has changed in this regard, as more emphasis is placed on impact, and that's good for the institute sector because it ensures we are relevant for decision-makers.

Towards the end of the interview, it seems natural to ask a man who describes himself as a planner if he has planned what to do when he stops working after a 42-year-long working life.

– I spend a lot of mental capacity on my job, and that's something I plan to stop, he laughs.

– I want to go skiing and cycling more. I've bought a racing bike. And I want to read more, but not academic literature. It's about having a holistic existence outside of work, with friends and family.

Einar Leknes was supposed to step down as the leader of the 'Climate, Environment, Sustainability' group last year but continued until the group found a new leader. Kristiane Lindland formally started as leader of the group on May 1. She is pro-dean for research and innovation at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Stavanger. Leknes will now continue in a 30% position as a chief researcher at NORCE.

– I enjoy not having responsibilities as leader anymore. It's the right thing to step down and practice for retirement, he concludes.