Johann Roppen


Johann Roppen is a Norwegian professor of media studies. Since 1 August 2015, he has been the rector of Volda University College.

Education and career

Roppen was born in Bergen and raised in in Ulstein. He studied media and mass communications at Møre og Romsdal District University College, now Volda University College, and at the University of Bergen, where he completed his doctorate in 2003 with a thesis on the concentration of media ownership, focussing on. In 2004 he published Medieindustrien, a book which explores the political and economic consequences of this concentration.
Roppen has worked as a journalist at Vikebladet, now Vikebladet Vestposten and served on the national media commissions of both Norway and Denmark and the financing committee for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, NRK. He has also served on the boards of various businesses and the Volda football team, and been media contact for the deaf for the Norway national women's football team. At Volda University College he has been a faculty member since 1994, was advisor on research and development from 2013 to 2015, then briefly served as communications director before being appointed rector.

Personal life

Roppen is married and has three children.