Academic background

• Full professor competence (2020)
• Dr. Polit., University of Oslo (2007)
• Diplom Politologin (equivalent to Cand. polit.), Free University of Berlin, Department of Political and Social Sciences (1991)
   

Professional experience

• Research Director, Biodiversity and Natural Resources, FNI (since May 2020).
   
• Research Professor/Senior Research Fellow/Researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute since 1995 (with a break 2013–2017), engaged in research, project development and management, presentations and other dissemination activities, organization of meetings and seminars, moderation/facilitation of international consultations processes, and consultancies (mainly evaluations).
   
• Executive Director, Oikos – Organic Norway (January 2013 – May 2017).
   

• Member of the Governing Board of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) (since 2022)

• Member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Farmers’ Rights under the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (since 2018).

• Member of the Ad Hoc Technical Committee on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture under the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (since 2016).
   
• Chair of the Committee on regulations related to organic production and marketing of organic products under the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (2014 – 2017).
   
• Member of the Norwegian Genetic Resources Committee for Plants (2011 – 2013).
   
• Member of the Committee on Sustainability of Genetically Modified Organisms, organized by the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board and the Directorate for Nature Management (2010 – 2011).
   
• Member of the Norwegian delegation to all sessions of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (since 2004).
   
• Member of Advisory Committee to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Results in the Development Policy, and of its working committee (2001 – 03).
   
• Chair of the Board of the Rainforest Foundation Norway (2006 – 2012), Vice Chair (2001 – 2006) and member (2000 – 2002 and 2012 – 2016).
   
• Staff representative in the Board of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (1999 – 2003).
   
• Course co-ordinator, Norad Training Centre, Oslo (1993 – 94).
   
• Executive Officer, Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft, Unit for Environment and Resource Management, Berlin (1992 – 93).
   
• Research assistant, Free University of Berlin, Department of the Politics of China, East- and Southeast Asia (1987 – 90).