Leena Norros

Papers

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About

Leena Norros is a leading scholar in human–systems integration and cognitive systems engineering, whose work has profoundly shaped our understanding of resilience in complex, high-stakes environments. Her research centers on how professionals—particularly in healthcare and nuclear domains—develop interpretive practices to manage uncertainty and maintain safety. Norros’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that resilience is not merely a property of systems but emerges through situated, adaptive human activity. Her most-cited work, “Resilience through interpretive practice – A study of robotic surgery” (2018, 30 citations), exemplifies this by analyzing how surgical teams navigate the unpredictability of robotic procedures through shared sense-making and flexible coordination. This study has become a cornerstone for researchers examining non-technical skills in medicine. Beyond this, Norros has pioneered methods for analyzing professional expertise, including the concept of “core task analysis,” which bridges cognitive theory and practical design. Her impact is reflected in her sustained influence on safety science and human factors engineering, with her work cited across disciplines from anesthesia to nuclear power. A former professor at Aalto University, Norros remains a vital voice in shaping how we design systems that support human judgment under pressure.