Ulrik Juul Christensen, MD

Ulrik Juul Christensen, MD, is a globally recognized authority in learning technology, known for his pioneering work in adaptive learning, data-driven content development, and simulation-based debriefing technologies. As the chief strategist at the Area9 Group, he has overseen the creation of innovative platforms that optimize business processes for large corporations, spearhead digital product design, and drive corporate training through intelligent, adaptive learning solutions.

Christensen is the co-author, with Tony Wagner, Ed.D., of the 2025 book Mastery: Why Deeper Learning is Essential in an Age of Distraction.

In 1997, while still a medical student, Christensen founded his first company, Sophus Medical, which was acquired by Laerdal Medical in 2002. From 2002 to 2006, he led Laerdal’s global learning technology initiatives, helping shape the future of the field. In 2006, he co-founded Area9 Group, which has become a leader in personalized and adaptive learning, producing over 1,500 adaptive learning products used by millions of students every semester. In 2014, a subsidiary (Area9 Education) was sold to McGraw-Hill Education, after which Area9 Learning was established to focus on corporate and organizational adaptive learning as well as general educational technologies.

Christensen played a key role in McGraw-Hill Higher Education’s leadership team from 2011 to 2014, and in its Executive Leadership Team from 2014 to 2016, before stepping down to concentrate on the growth of Area9’s technologies and innovations in education. His current focus is on Area9 Lyceum, which, since January 2018, has integrated the group’s educational investments and technologies to develop the fourth-generation adaptive learning platform and to pioneer four-dimensional education.

Though Christensen has reduced his external board commitments, he continues to serve on the boards of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Global Underwater Explorers. He also holds advisory positions with the Mastery Transcript Consortium, Transcend Education, the Center for Curriculum Redesign, and Moonshots.org.