Public defence: Tommy Langen

Tommy Langen will defend his PhD degree in Technology. The PhD research explores how conceptual modeling can improve communication and understanding when developing complex systems where human operators and autonomous machines collaborate.

29 Sep

Practical information

  • Date: 29 September 2026
  • Time: 10.00 - 15.00
  • Location: Kongsberg, Auditorium Becker
  • Download calendar file


    • Link to digital participation (Zoom)
    Meeting ID: 618 5456 2273
    Password: 701838
     

    Program

    10.00-11.00. Trial lecture: TBA

    12.00-15.00. Public defence: Conceptual Modeling to Support Human Systems Integration for Manned-Unmanned Systems in the Norwegian High-Tech Industry

    Evaluation comittee

    • First opponent: Associate Professor Steven Haveman, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the Netherlands
    • Second opponent: Associate Professor Frøy Birte Bjørneseth, NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology
    • Administrator: Associate Professor Håkon Viumdal, University of South-Eastern Norway
    • Chair of Defence: Vice-Dean Lars-Cyril Blystad, University of South-Eastern Norway

    Supervisors

Any questions?

Tommy Langen is defending his thesis for the degree philosophiae doctor (PhD) at the University of South-Eastern Norway.

Portrett av Tommy LangenHe has pursued the PhD program in Technology at the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences, and Maritime Sciences, Department of Science and Industry Systems. 

You are invited to follow the trial lecture and the public defence.

  • Link to the dissertation will come here

Summary

Norwegian high-tech companies are facing increasing complexity as they develop systems where people and autonomous machines must work together safely and effectively. This PhD thesis shows that simple, visual conceptual models are a practical, low-barrier way to cope with this complexity. These models help companies improve communication, make sense of complex systems, and make better decisions in the early phases of product development, when changes are still cheap and easy to make.

The research finds that lightweight, visual models lower the barrier for participation, support sensemaking, and enable dialogue across disciplines and roles. Engineers, end-users, managers, and other stakeholders can use these models to discuss how humans and machines should cooperate, share tasks, and communicate.

The PhD thesis examines how Norwegian high-tech companies use conceptual modeling when designing manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) systems, with a particular focus on Human Systems Integration early in product development. Human Systems Integration looks at how technical, organizational, and human aspects connect and influence each other in a system. MUM-T refers to collaboration and teaming between autonomous machines and people to utilize the strengths of both.

Conceptual models are abstract, simplified representations of real-world systems, serving as a tool for analyzing a given problem or solution by supporting understanding, communication, and reasoning. By visualizing how humans and machines cooperate, communicate, and share tasks, these models help stakeholders see the big picture and spot problems early.

Because conceptual models are lightweight, accessible, and easy to update, they support iterative development, open dialogue, and active participation in design discussions. They also support knowledge sharing and co-creation across internal and external stakeholders when developing complex socio-technical systems.

The PhD thesis identifies which types of conceptual models are useful and explores how they can be used during the development of systems where humans and autonomous machines can collaborate safely and effectively. Across interviews, surveys, workshops, observations, and document analysis, the thesis maps how practitioners use conceptual modeling and where current practice falls short.