He teaches design studios and design seminars at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His teaching experience includes design studios exploring the path to net zero energy building design, design seminars addressing minimalism in the age of conspicuous consumption, and environmental control systems courses. Lerum's research focuses on energy performance, human comfort and user satisfaction in buildings. He is a licensed architect in Norway and a member of the Norwegian Society of Architects (NAL). He is also a Co-opted Committee Member of the CIBSE Heritage Group and an International Associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).