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, Bjørknes 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
-
RUSI Journal, Vol 167, No 1, published online 15.03.2022. DOI: 10.1080/03071847.2022.2036229
-
Chapter 22 in Matthias Finger and Gunnar Rekvig (eds), Global Arctic: An Introduction to the Multifaceted Dynamics of the Arctic. Springer, 2022, pp. 425-441.
-
Australian Year Book of International Law, Vol 39, 2022 pp. 233-260.
-
The Arctic Yearbook, 2021, pp. 5-22.
-
The Polar Journal, published online 24.09.2021, 25 p. DOI: 10.1080/2154896X.2021.1978234
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
-
Science Norway, May 23, 2022.
-
Aftenposten, May 20, 2022. In Norwegian.
-
EurActiv, March 28, 2022.
-
Forskning.no, March 25, 2022. In Norwegian.
-
Lindro.it, March 24, 2022. In Italian.
RELATED RESEARCH AREA(S)
IN MEDIA
-
Svalbard får unntak fra nye Russland-sanksjoner (Svalbard gets exemption from new Russia sanctions)
High North News, April 29, 2022. In Norwegian.
-
Frozen fallout: Ukraine invasion scrambles Arctic rush
The Washington Times, April 16, 2022.
-
Slik vil forbodet ramme: – Kan hamne i ein situasjon der det eskalerer (How the ban will work: - May end up in a situation where it escalates)
TV2, April 10, 2022. In Norwegian.
-
Norway ponders EU proposal to ban Russian ships from European ports
EurActiv.com, April 8, 2022.
-
Finnene kan være på full vei inn i Nato. Dette betyr det for Norge (The Finns may be on their way to NATO. This is what it means for Norway)
Aftenposten, April 6, 2022. In Norwegian.