My work focuses on the political dynamics in the Arctic / High North region, with a particular emphasis on security and geopolitics. I work on describing the complexities of cooperation and conflict in the Arctic and the interests and actions of various engaged actors (Norway, EU, USA, China), as the region is changing both physically and politically. My research also draws on Arctic experiences and case studies to understand the concept of maritime boundaries (and related disputes) more broadly, looking at the who “owns” the ocean and the geopolitical dynamics that follow.
Academic background
- Senior Research Fellow, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Oslo (since 2019)
- Fulbright Scholar, at Harvard University & Woodrow Wilson Center (2021-2022)
- Associate Professor, Oslo New University College (responsible for course ‘Geopolitics in the Arctic’) (Since 2018)
- PhD International Relations, University of British Columbia (UBC) (2015-2019)
- Visiting researcher, Brenn School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California Santa Barbara (2019)
- Research Fellow, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Oslo (2017-2019)
- Program Coordinator and Research Fellow, Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (IFS), Oslo (2014-2017)
- M.Sc. European Politics and International Affairs, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (2009-2010)
- Bachelor Political Economy, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (2006-2009)
Professional experience
- Senior Advisor, High North Center, Nord University Business School, Bodø (part time), (since 2015)
- Global Fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington DC (since 2021)
- Senior Fellow, The Arctic Institute, Washington DC (since 2011)
- Acting Director, North Norway European Office, Brussels (2013)
- Advisor, North Norway European Office, Brussels (2010-2014)
- Visiting research fellow, Munk-Gordon Arctic Security Program, Toronto (2013)
- Research intern, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington DC (2011)
PROJECTS
BOOKS
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS
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Canadian Naval Review, Vol 19, No 2, 2023, pp. 9-14.
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In Østhagen (ed), Norway's Arctic Policy: Geopolitics, Security and Identity in the High North. Edward Elgar, 2023, pp. 23-37
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In Østhagen (ed), Norway's Arctic Policy: Geopolitics, Security and Identity in the High North. Edward Elgar, 2023, pp. 1-15
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In Michael E. Goodsite and Niklas Swanström (eds), Towards a Sustainable Arctic: International Security, Climate Change and Green Shipping. World Scientific, 2023, pp. 1-24.
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Canadian Naval Review, Vol 18, No 1, 2022, pp. 37-40.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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NRK Ytring, February 1, 2024. In Norwegian.
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Science Norway, 26 January, 2024.
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FNI Report 1/2024. Lysaker, FNI, 2024, 22 p.
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Forskning.no, January 22, 2024. In Norwegian.
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In Great Power Competition in the Atlantic. Atlantic Center, 2023, pp. 83-100.
RELATED RESEARCH AREA(S)
NEWS
- Meet FNI at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø
- FNI partner in New Centre for Geopolitics: Focus on the Arctic, China, and Energy
- This week: CSIS Arctic Geopolitics Webinar
- Researching Barents Sea Fisheries Management after 2022
- Exploring Geopolitics in the Arctic: Deterrence, Dependency, and Dialogue
IN MEDIA
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Ordfører direkte til Støre: – Tiltak er nedlatende (Mayor to PM Støre: Measures Are Condescending)
Altinget.no, February 26, 2024. In Norwegian.
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Støre: At Norges forhold til Russland er varig endret, er feil perspektiv (PM Støre: Norway's Relationship with Russia Not Permanently Altered)
Altinget.no, February 21, 2024. In Norwegian.
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Skandinavien bereitet sich auf einen Krieg mit Russland vor (Scandinavia prepares for war)
Frankfurter Rundscahu, February 19, 2024. In German.
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Analysis: Scandinavia Is Preparing for War
Foreign Policy, February 9, 2024.
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Битва за Арктику? Чому Норвегія та Данія так допомагають Україні у війні з Росією (Battle for the Arctic? Why Norway and Denmark Are Significantly Supporting Ukraine in the War with Russia)
BBC News Ukrainian Service, February 5, 2024. In Ukrainian. Russian version here. French version here.