Researcher
Lars Gjesvik
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Summary
Lars Gjesvik is a senior researcher in the Research Group for Security and Defence at NUPI, where he also serves as the co-leader of the research center for digitization and cyber security. His research focuses on the intersection of private enterprise and state interests, security challenges, and power politics related to digitalization and emerging technologies.
He recently obtained his doctorate from the University of Oslo (in 2023), where he studied the interaction between private companies and state interests in the digital space, and the role of technology companies in shaping international politics. Gjesvik's expertise also includes issues related to the global surveillance industry, digital infrastructure such as submarine internet cables and cloud services, cyber security, and technology dependency.
In his previous work, Gjesvik has addressed national approaches to cyber security and public-private cooperation, as well as disinformation and influence campaigns
Expertise
Aktivitet
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Clear all filtersWorking Paper on institutional landscape of global digitalisation governance
The institutional landscape of digitalization and cybersecurity has expanded and diversified significantly over the past decade. Hundreds of venues and processes are currently invested in digital and cyber policy making – some concerned with digitalization and cybersecurity in their respective areas of activity, others promoting more generalized policy approaches and yet others supporting digital growth and cyber resilience around the world. Such institutional churn is not particular to digital and cyber fields; however, it has direct implications on digital and cyber policy design and implementation. In this Working Paper, the authors make three recommendations based on the findings in the first phase of their research in the project The EU Navigating Multilateral Cooperation (NAVIGATOR).
INFRAPOLITICS: Strengthening Critical Infrastructure Governance for Resilience and Security (INFRAPOL)
How does the geopoliticization of infrastructures interact with critical infrastructure (CI) protection and governance at the national level? ...
When space policy becomes security policy: Norway’s participation in the EU’s space activities (EU Rom)
This report was commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries to inform decisions about Norway’s continued participation in EU space activities for 2028–2034. ...
Når rompolitikk blir sikkerhetspolitikk: Norsk deltakelse i EUs romaktiviteter
The report is in Norwegian but it has an English summary. This report was commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries to inform decisions about Norway’s continued participation in EU space activities for 2028–2034. It does so by evaluating the benefits for both Norway and the EU of continued Norwegian participation. The report situates the discussion within a broader context, considering not only direct economic gains but also how political, technological and security developments have transformed the conditions for space activities, space policy, and Norway’s role in Europe’s evolving space landscape. Norway is deeply dependent on well-functioning space capacities, both for societal and defence-related purposes. Space-based services have become critical infrastructures with few substitutes, underpinning key sectors of the Norwegian economy, everyday services, public administration, and military systems. The increasing criticality of space is not unique to Norway but reflects the deep embeddedness of satellite-based services in modern societies. At the same time, the politics of space have grown more tense and contested. Space is increasingly embedded in power politics, strategic competition and concerns about resilience. For small states like Norway, the high costs and complexity of space activities mean self-sufficiency is unfeasible, and cooperation necessary. On the civilian side, this cooperation has mainly been oriented towards European cooperation, in the European Union's Space Programme (2021-2027) and in the European Space Agency (ESA). In a changing geopolitical context, the EU has assumed a stronger and clearer role as a security policy actor. Resultingly, its space policies are changing and are now closely tied to the EU’s ambitions for strategic autonomy and a stronger role in security and defence. This shift blurs the distinction between the EU and ESA, and between civilian and military aims and capacities. Closer and more integrated European cooperation on space ties EU member states more closely together but it also sharpens boundaries between the EU and other countries. At the same time, there is a major restructuring under way in how the EU finances and organizes its efforts in the space sector. This backdrop places Norwegian space policy in a new and demanding context. This report examines the consequences of these developments for Norway, and how they change the framework conditions for Norwegian space policy and participation in the EU’s space activities. The report is structured around the following overarching research questions: Where is Europe’s space policy heading? What is Norway’s role in this development? What are the benefits of Norwegian participation in the EU’s space activities? And what are the alternatives to continued Norwegian participation in the EU’s space activities for the period 2028–2034? The report finds that participation in EU space activities (2021-2027) has been highly beneficial to Norway, providing essential services and integration into a broader European ecosystem for technology development, exports and learning. At the same time, the EU also benefits from Norwegian participation: Norway offers niche expertise, unique Arctic capabilities, and northern ground infrastructure that are costly or difficult for other European states to replicate, thereby strengthening European competitiveness and resilience. Looking ahead to 2028–2034, non-participation would weaken Norway’s access to key data, services and information, undermine the position and competitiveness of Norwegian space industry, make an ambitious national space policy harder to pursue, and risk an erosion of space competence. For the EU, it would mean having to replace or go without Norwegian capabilities and resources. For both parties this is a suboptimal outcome.
Changing transatlantic security relations: Implications for Europe and Norway (TransatDefence)
Transatlantic relations are the cornerstone of Norway’s security and defence. Against the backdrop of the United States (US)’ ‘pivot to Asia,’ the increasing polarization of US foreign...
Hvem skal bestemme over internett?
Hvordan havnet internett – en gang et fritt og grenseløst rom – i kryssilden mellom stormakter, sensur og geopolitikk? Hvem er det egentlig som ha...
Earth to Orbit - Building Bridges in Space (DISCOVER)
DISCOVER analyses the key drivers of cooperation and conflict in space governance, highlighting the importance of international collaboration for global security and the stability of m...