Bio
Dr. Lianne Lefsrud is an Assistant Professor, Engineering Safety and Risk Management at the University
of Alberta. Most recently, Dr. Lefsrud was with the Erb Institute of Global Sustainable Enterprise at the
University of Michigan. She uses mixed methods to study how institutional and new venture
entrepreneurs use persuasive language and imagery to shape our conceptions of technology, the
environment, and regulations. Specifically, her research examines methods of hazard identification and
risk management, risk evaluation and social license to operate, and drivers of technology adoption in oil
and gas, mining, pipelining, construction, agriculture, and railroading, among other industries.
As most risks are multi-disciplinary in nature, it has also motivated her academic approach: from an MSc
in Environmental Engineering and Sociology (the first Engineering-Arts interdisciplinary degree at
UAlberta), to a PhD in Strategic Management and Organization, and now a tenure-track position back in
Engineering. Given her multi-disciplinary research, Dr. Lefsrud works with scholars in engineering,
computer science, cognitive psychology, business, economics, English literature and film studies, and
environmental sociology.
Further, to understand various theoretical model elaboration/validation/mobilization methods, Dr.
Lefsrud moved from academia, to industry and regulation, and back to academia. Professionally, her
career spans two decades with senior roles in industry, consulting, and regulation. Prior to returning to
academia, she was the Assistant Director Professional Practice with APEGA, an Assistant Director in
operations with Canadian National Railway, and worked in construction and oil and gas. Besides doing
internationally award winning research, she also provides policy and strategy advice to government and
industry. Even while not an academic, she remained instrumental in multi-disciplinary collaborations
and publishing, to have the greatest possible impact on organizational and regulatory practices in
Canada and worldwide. For details, see: www.liannelefsrud.com
