Torunn Gjelsvik

Torunn Gjelsvik

Torunn Gjelsvik from Oslo, Norway, is an educational expert and international leader with specialization in open, flexible, distance and online education. Since she assumed the position as Secretary General of International Council for Open and Distance Education – ICDE – in 2020, she has been a strong advocate for inclusive quality education through flexible learning provisions. ICDE is the leading and oldest global membership association for Open, Flexible and Distance Learning. The association is a non-profit NGO, hosted by Norway since 1988, and holds members from more than 70 countries in all world regions.

Gjelsvik holds a Masters’ degree in Nordic languages and literature and her education background includes French, History, Management and Communication. She has over 20 years of experience from leadership, pedagogic development, and quality assurance of online and distance education within secondary and tertiary education in Norway, and she was the Executive Director for the membership association Flexible Education Norway from 2018-2020. Gjelsvik’s international experience covers advocacy, policy, international networks and partnerships, global events and cross-country project management related to the global field of open, flexible, distance and online education.