Background
Svendsen was born on September 1, 1976 inTønsberg, Norway; the daughter of Bjørn-Harald and Jorunn Ihlebæk Lian.
Svendsen was born on September 1, 1976 inTønsberg, Norway; the daughter of Bjørn-Harald and Jorunn Ihlebæk Lian.
Svendsen graduated from Agder University College in 1998. Four years later she earned her Candidate of Sciences degree from the University of Bergen. Also in 2008 Monica was given a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Svendsen worked as a research fellow at Østfold University College from 2003 to 2006. Since 2006 she has been an associate professor at the University of Agder. She is a contributor of scientific papers to professional journals.
On August 20, 2005 Monica Svendsen married Knut Wilhelm Svendsen. They have a child.