Research Interests
I have a wide range of research interests, which can be divided in to three main categories.
The first category is related to conflict data and trends. In particular I'm interested in seeking to find what hidden stories the data tell us. Further, I have also worked extensively on ceasefires and non-state conflicts.
The second category is human consequences of conflicts. This entails research on inequalities, aid efficiency, maternal and child health, education, sexual violence and in particular children in conflict.
Finally, a large share of my research is devoted to natural resources and environment. I have looked at the resource curse, natural resource management in post-conflict, EITI, climate change, and conflicts related to new energy projects and climate mitigation projects such as REDD+
Background
Languages spoken:
English, Norwegian
Selected work experience:
Research Director, Conditions for Violence and Peace, PRIO Feb-July 2021
Research Professor, Conditions for Violence and Peace, PRIO 2020-present
Senior Researcher, Conditions for Violence and Peace, PRIO 2012-2020
Researcher/PhD candidate at PRIO (2008-2012)
Research Assistant at PRIO for Nils Petter Gleditsch and Scott Gates (November 2005- December 2007)
Coordinator for PRIO’s Peace Research Course at the International Summer School at Blindern (Summer 2006)
Project Coordinator for North Caucasus, Building Peaces
Teaching statistical method and software (MA-level) – Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Science (2012-2018)
Education:
2008-2012: PhD (Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
2002-2005: Cand.polit. (Political Science from NTNU, Reading University, and PRIO)
1998-2001: Cand.mag. (Political Science, History and Macro Economics, from NTNU and Charles University, Praha)
Selected fellowships and awards:
‘Conflict Trends’, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Project leader (NOK 3 million yearly) (2016-2023)
‘Green Curses’, Research Council of Norway, Norglobal, Project leder (NOK 6 million) (2020-2023)
‘Development Aid, Effectiveness, and Inequalities in Conflict-Affected Societies’, Research Council of Norway, FRIPRO, Project deputy (NOK 9 million) (2017-2019)
‘From a Curse to a Blessing? Transparency and Accountability in Managing High-Value Natural Resource Revenues’, Research Council of Norway, collaborator FRIPRO (NOK 7 million) (2014-2017)
‘The social, economic and political impacts of the extractive industries in Brazil: The case of Hydro and the Barcarena region in Pará’, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Project leader (NOK 2.4 million) (2014-2016)
‘Female Empowerment in Eastern DRC’, Research Council of Norway, NORGLOBAL Division, collaborator (NOK 5 million) (2014-2016)
‘Conflict Trends’, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Project deputy (NOK 11.4 million) (2013-2016)