My main research interests are within the fields of Arctic security, Arctic governance, science-policy interface, and the Arctic Council. My PhD (Political Science) was on the Norwegian defence establishment’s encounter with new post-cold war realities, emphasizing, among other things, security in the Arctic. In recent years, however, my main research focus has been on Arctic and global environmental governance, maritime safety issues in the Arctic, science-policy influence, and the Arctic Council. I have published a number of books, articles in academic journals and reports on these issues and have broad experience with presenting my research to relevant stakeholders.
Academic background
- Ph.D., Department of Political Science, University of Tromsø, Norway (2009).
- Cand. Polit. (Master) in Political Science, University of Tromsø, Norway (2002).
- Cand. Mag. (Bachelor), University of Tromsø/University of Oslo (1998).
Professional experience
- Senior research fellow at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (since 2007)
- Associate Professor II, Bjørknes Høyskole (since 2020)
- Teaching, Introduction to International Relations, junior courses, Tromsø (fall 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005)
- Teaching, Changing concepts of security, The High North, Norwegian Defence, climate change, senior course (2003-2015)
- External and internal examiner, International Politics, Oslo, Trondheim and Tromsø, Norway
- Teaching supervisor, bachelor and master level, Tromsø and Oslo, Norway
- Course developer, International relations, security politics and Arctic governance, bachelor and master level, Tromsø (UiT), Bardufoss (UiT), Oslo (Bjørknes Høyskole), Norway
- Conference organizer, Environmental politics, International law, Security politics, Human security, Arctic Council
PROJECTS
BOOKS
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS
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Internasjonal Politikk, Vol 83, No 1, 2025, pp. 67-79. In Norwegian.
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Internasjonal Politikk, Vol 83, No 1, 2025, pp. 31-42. In Norwegian.
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Internasjonal Politikk, Vol 83, No 1, 2025, pp. 120-131. In Norwegian.
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Internasjonal Politikk, Vol 83, No 1, 2025, pp. 67-79. In Norwegian.
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In Walter Leal Filho, Amanda Lange Salvia, Joao Henrique Paulino Eustachio and Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis (eds), Handbook of Sustainable Blue Economy, Springer, 2025, pp. 1-18.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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High North News, May 16, 2025.
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High North News, May 12, 2025. In Norwegian.
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The Arctic Institute, May 12, 2025.
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New York University, Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia Blog, January 30, 2025.
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FNI-rapport 7/2024. Lysaker, FNI, 2024, 55 p. In Norwegian.
RELATED RESEARCH AREA(S)
NEWS
- New Arctic Council leadership – and a special journal issue on its future
- New FNI Report: Greenland’s Push for Arctic Leadership
- New Book from FNI Researchers Explores China and Russia's Roles in the Arctic
- FNI is getting ready for the Arctic Congress in Bodø
- Meet FNI at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø
IN MEDIA
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Grossmächte ringen um Arktis – Kluge Interessenvertretung oder Abenteuertum? (Great powers grapple over the Arctic – Smart strategy or reckless adventurism?)
SRF (Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen), June 12, 2025. In German.
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Arctic Council Working Groups Must Persist Despite Putin and Trump, Says Researcher
High North News, May 28, 2025.
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Avklaring i kongeriket Danmark sikrer et ryddig lederskapsskifte i Arktisk råd, mener forsker (Kingdom of Denmark ensures orderly leadership transition in Arctic Council)
High North News, September 6, 2024. In Norwegian.
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Ryssland "rasslar med sablarna" i Arktis (Russia "Rattles the Sabers" in the Arctic)
Aftonbladet, February 15, 2024. In Swedish.
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Rusland truer med at forlade vitalt organ for samarbejde i Arktis (Russia threatens to leave Arctic Council)
DR, February 9, 2024. In Danish.