In memoriam: Professor Bente Træen

The most renowned Norwegian researcher on sexual behavior, Bente Træen passed away on April 17 this year. Bente was born in 1958 and spent her childhood in various parts of Norway and abroad. She began her career as a dentist, but her comprehensive understanding of health behaviors prompted her to pursue a Ph.D. position at the National Institute of Public Health in Oslo. In the early 80s, when the fear of AIDS gripped the nation, Bente was among the group of researchers to conduct the first national sexual behavior study in Norway. When the initial period of panic subsided after a few years, Bente was the only one from her group to continue advancing research on sexual behavior and sexual health. After completing her doctorate on adolescent sexual risk behavior, she first got a researcher position at the National Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research in 1993 and then moved to the University of Tromsø to spend the next 11 years as a professor of health psychology. In 2012 she became a professor of health psychology at the University of Oslo. During her tenure at both universities, she developed highly popular educational programs in sexology and sexual health and authored the book “Sexuality in context” that was also used as syllabus in her courses.

Influenced by sociological and social psychology thinking, Bente's social constructivist perspective was the foundation of her research, which focused on the complex interplay between gender and cultural factors that shape our sexual experiences. She considered an observational study on sex, alcohol, and condom use among urban Norwegians, which she conducted at bars and nightclubs in Oslo, as one of her most significant contributions to the field. The study resulted in the article "Games People Play". Bente was renowned for her diverse use of research methods and qualitative research skills, allowing her to delve deeply into complex issues, such as her interview-based study on women with sexual desire problems. Bente advocated for the importance of surveying the sexual behavior, attitudes and habits of the Norwegian population, and despite limited funding, she conducted several national studies. Her last such study was completed in 2020. Only a few weeks before her passing, she and her research group at UiO were awarded funding from the Norwegian Directorate of Health to establish the Norwegian Research Center for Sexual Health 

Bente has left behind a rich legacy of contributions to the field of sex research. Her ability to communicate complex ideas in an understandable manner, as well as her enormous productivity, earned her widespread recognition and respect on an international scale. Bente's European project on sexual health among the elderly, which was established with funding she received from the Research Council of Norway in 2015, was a great success and played an important role in promoting sexual rights for older adults. Her passing has been described by the international research community as a significant loss to the field of sexology.

Bente knew how to bring together a diverse international team and foster a comfortable and entertaining atmosphere. Her leadership style, which was strong but anti-authoritarian, served as a source of inspiration for many members of the research team. Bente always recognized the productivity of others and set a positive example through her own hard work and dedication. She frequently invited students and researchers to co-author articles with her, building up a vast network of research connections that extended beyond Norway's borders. Her unique skill for including social opportunities during research cooperation helped to establish solid ties between her research group and international contacts.

Bente was not only a respected researcher, but also an exceptional role model. She approached her work with enthusiasm, generosity, and inclusivity, and had a remarkable work ethic - always striving to get things done. As a result, she leaves behind an extensive and impressive collection of research articles.

Bente had an extraordinary talent for translating complex research findings into easily understandable language, making her a go-to expert for sex education in the media. Her ability to convey information in a professional, scientific, and entertaining way earned her a special place in the hearts of the Norwegian media. She contributed with regular columns in several Norwegian newspapers and journals, and authored several books on sexuality for sex education programs for young people. In recognition of her ability to communicate scientific information, Bente was honored with the Excellence in Communication of Science award by the Research Council of Norway in 2003.

Bente's passing leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, not only in Oslo, at the Department of Psychology, but in the field of sexology in Norway and internationally. Her loss is felt by many researchers, colleagues, Ph.D. candidates, and students who have had the pleasure of being part of her academically ambitious and life-loving universe. It will be hard to fill even a little of this void in the hope of doing justice to her memory.