Torkjel started as a tourism researcher at Western Norway Research Institute in 2015. Right now he’s doing research on adventure tourism and sustainable tourism. Torkjel also has a coordinating role in the implementation of a strategic tourism research program at the institute.
Earlier Torkjel’s been working as a senior advisor in tourism at Sogn og Fjordane county council, as a project-leader to develop tourism around conservation areas and as a consultant in a nature science consultancy, Ecofact AS. Torkjel has also been a lecturer in nature-based tourism at Sogn og Fjordane University College.
Torkjel has a master of science in nature-based business development at Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås. His thesis was a future-scenario study on small-scale tourism in the municipality of Aurland, Norway. Torkjel also has a bachelor degree in nature management from the same university and a two year study in outdoor life, culture and nature guiding at Telemark University College. During his education Torkjel studied a year at Montana State University, USA.