Researcher
Niels Nagelhus Schia
Contactinfo and files
Summary
Niels Nagelhus Schia is a research professor specializing in the intersection of new technology and international relations. He leads the Research group on security and defense at NUPI, and co-manages the institute’s Research Centre for New Technology. With a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Oslo and a fellowship from the New School for Social Research (NSSR), Schia combines deep academic insight with practical experience in global policymaking.
Schia has chaired prominent initiatives such as the Norwegian government's expert group on AI, democracy, and elections (2024–2025), he served as co-coordinator for the reference group on Norway's role in the UN Security Council (2021–2022), and he has been the project leader of several larger research projects. A former Fulbright scholar and board member of the Fulbright Association in Norway, he is also a longstanding contributor to international conferences, United Nations discussions, and working groups.
Beyond his research, Schia is deeply engaged in shaping the global academic and policy landscape. He was co-editor of Internasjonal Politikk, the leading Scandinavian journal on international relations, for nearly a decade (2017–2025). He serves as a member of the Holberg Debate working group, the advisory council of the United Nations Association of Norway, and other forums dedicated to advancing knowledge and dialogue in his field.
Expertise
Education
2015 PhD, Social Antropology, University of Oslo
2004 Cand.polit., Social anthropology, University of Oslo
Work Experience
2022- Head of NUPI's Research group on security and defence
2017- Co-editor of the leading Scandinavian-language International Relations-journal Internasjonal Politikk
2015- Head, NUPI's Cyber Security Centre. 2010 Advisor, Civil Affairs, Policy Best Practices Services (PBPS), UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, New York HQ
2009 Visiting scholar at The New School for Social Research, New York, Leiv Eiriksson mobility programme (The Research Council of Norway) and Fulbright Scholar
2003- Research Assistant / Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow/Research Professor, NUPI
-----------------
2012-2016 Board member Fulbright Alumni Association of Norway
2013-2016 Head of Scientific Committee for Fulbright annual research award
Aktivitet
Filter
Clear all filters
Norway and Space: Strategic Positioning, Allied Cooperation, and Exposure (NSPACE)
The NSPACE project explores how Norway can respond to growing great-power competition in space by assessing how space infrastructure shapes national vulnerabilities and strategic oppor...
Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Elections – International Experiences and National Recommendations
The Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, Democracy and Elections was appointed to assess the significance of AI for democratic elections and to propose measures in response. The work has focused on three areas: (1) the information and media landscape, (2) covert election interference, and (3) election administration and cybersecurity. Norway has strong foundations for democratic resilience, particularly through a robust and diverse media system. At the same time, editor-driven media are challenged by social media, algorithmic platforms, and changing media habits. AI—especially generative AI—amplifies existing threats by enabling rapid, wide dissemination of content and more sophisticated influence operations, as demonstrated in the 2024 elections and in cases such as Romania. The Expert Group recommends measures to strengthen competence, preparedness, and cooperation, including: – Ensuring that election authorities have the necessary expertise and capacity in AI and communication. – Reducing opportunities for speculation about errors in election administration or claims that elections have been subject to unwanted interference. – Strengthening contact between public authorities and technology and platform companies. – Holding political actors accountable and providing appropriate support. – Prioritizing the rapid implementation of relevant EU legislation, particularly the DSA and the AI Act. – Pursuing an active media policy that maintains free, strong, and diverse editor-driven media. – Building source awareness and promoting critical media, technology, and AI literacy. – Increasing research and cooperation between authorities, researchers, civil society, and technology companies. – Acting as a driver for international cooperation in these areas.
Breakfast seminar: Space diplomacy and Transatlantic Relations
Is the space domain increasingly characterised by militarisation – or are we witnessing the emergence of a new realm of transatlantic cooperation based on diplomacy?
Trump 2.0 og internasjonal politikk
I denne spesialrapporten har Senter for geopolitikk samlet en rekke bidrag fra forskere tilknyttet senteret, fra Fridtjof Nansen Institutt, Institutt for Forsvarsstudier, Universitetet i Oslo, UiT – Norges Arktiske Universitet og Norsk Utenrikspolitisk Institutt. Bidragene setter søkelys på noen konkrete temaer som inntak til å forstå et USA i endring og hva det vil kunne bety for andre stater, og for utviklingen på konkrete politikkfelt. Rapporten har særlig fokus på hva disse endringene, hver for seg og samlet, betyr for Europa og Norge. En oppdatert versjon ble publisert 12.06.25, klokken 12.40.
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...
Den første KI-krigen 2:2
Kunstig intelligens endrer måten vi kriger på, men hvordan fungerer det, egentlig? I denne episoden ser vi nærmere på hva som skjer når droner sty...