Skip to content
NUPI skole

Researcher

Thor Olav Iversen

Senior Researcher
ThorOlav_1-1.jpg

Contactinfo and files

thor.olav.iversen@nupi.no
Original image

Summary

Thor Olav Iversen is a development economist with rich experience in working with international affairs as both a practitioner and an academic. At NUPI, Iversen do research on the impact of climate change on conflict and security through the Climate-related Peace and Security Risks-project. 

He also has a strong research interest pertaining to sciences and technology adjacent to the development and humanitarian field. In June 2023, Iversen defended my PhD dissertation in the field of theory of science with the title “Making world hunger legible: The politics of measuring global food insecurity”.

From 2015 to 2017, furthermore he worked as a regional programme officer at the UN World Food Programme. A pronounced feature of his academic life is furthermore love for dissemination and public debate, as he has significant experience as a journalist, editor and moderator of public conversations. 

Expertise

  • Development policy
  • Peace operations
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Conflict
  • Fragile states
  • International organizations
  • United Nations
  • Historical IR

Education

2023 PhD, Theory of Science, University of Bergen 

2013 Master's degree, Economics, University of Bergen. 

2010 Bachelor's degree, History, University of Bergen 

2009 Bachelor's degree, Economics, University of Bergen

Work Experience

2023- Senior Research fellow, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) 

2023 Journalist and editor, Agenda Magasin 

2018-2023 PhD candidate, Centre for the Study of the Sciences and Humanities, University of Bergen 

2015-2017 Regional programme officer, UN World Food Programme 

2013-2015 Research assistant, Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) 2012 Trainee, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Seoul

Aktivitet

Articles
Analysis
Articles
Analysis

Climate, Peace and Security in Libya

In a new fact sheet from the joint NUPI and SIPRI Climate-related Peace and Security Risks Project (CPSR), the team explore the nexus between climate change, peace and security in Libya.
  • Africa
  • Migration
  • Climate
  • United Nations

Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Libya

Libya is exposed to a number of climate hazards. In September 2023, Storm Daniel caused severe rainfall and floods, triggering the collapse of two ageing dams in eastern Libya. This left a trail of destruction in the city of Derna and its surrounding areas.
  • Africa
  • Migration
  • Climate
  • United Nations
Publications
Publications
Research paper
Thor Olav Iversen, Katongo Seyuba, Nadine Andersen, Ingvild Brox Brodtkorb

Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Libya

Libya is exposed to a number of climate hazards. In September 2023, Storm Daniel caused severe rainfall and floods, triggering the collapse of two ageing dams in eastern Libya. This left a trail of destruction in the city of Derna and its surrounding areas. Libya is also one of the driest and most water-stressed countries in the world; it is prone to drought and less than two per cent of the country receives enough rain to sustain agriculture. Climate stressors are in turn aggravated by political turmoil, a divided government, protracted conflict and the presence of a plethora of armed groups. These factors, which have contributed to mismanagement, corruption and a lack of good governance, affect efforts to address climate-related risks, including those that may influence peace and security dynamics.

  • Africa
  • Migration
  • Climate
  • United Nations
Screenshot of the cover
  • Africa
  • Migration
  • Climate
  • United Nations
Kan Israel bli dømt for å sulte ihjel et helt folk?
Podcast

Kan Israel bli dømt for å sulte ihjel et helt folk?

Halvparten av befolkningen på Gazastripen sulter. Israel sier de forsvarer seg selv etter terrorangrepet 7. oktober, mens andre mener de bevisst p...

  • The Middle East and North Africa
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Conflict
  • United Nations
  • The Middle East and North Africa
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Conflict
  • United Nations

Climate, Peace and Security in Myanmar

In a new Fact Sheet from the joint NUPI and SIPRI Climate-related Peace and Security Risks Project (CPSR), the team explore the nexus between climate change, peace, and security in Myanmar.
  • Asia
  • Conflict
  • Fragile states
  • Climate
  • United Nations
Boats in the Kaladan River/Wikimedia Common

Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Myanmar

Myanmar is home to one of the highest concentrations of people vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with 40 per cent of the population residing in low-lying and coastal regions.
  • Asia
  • Conflict
  • Climate
2024_MYANMAR_FACTSHEET  BANNER.png
Publications
Publications
Research paper
Kyungmee Kim, Katongo Seyuba, Nadine Andersen, Kheira Tarif, Thor Olav Iversen, Ingvild Brox Brodtkorb

Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Myanmar

Myanmar is home to one of the highest concentrations of people vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with 40 per cent of the population residing in low-lying and coastal regions. Following a military takeover in 2021, the establishment of the State Administration Council (SAC) was met with broad popular resistance, retriggering confrontations with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and local antijunta militias. Conflict has exacerbated the country’s vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation.

  • Asia
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Conflict
  • Migration
  • Nation-building
  • Climate
  • United Nations
Skjermbilde 2024-05-14 kl. 09.15.36.png
  • Asia
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Conflict
  • Migration
  • Nation-building
  • Climate
  • United Nations
Building peace through a sustainable environment
Podcast

Building peace through a sustainable environment

Why should we connect the environment to issues of peace and conflict? And in a world of dramatically increased geopolitical tensions, is it possi...

  • Africa
  • Peace operations
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Conflict
  • Fragile states
  • Migration
  • Nation-building
  • Climate
  • International organizations
  • United Nations
  • AU
  • Africa
  • Peace operations
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Conflict
  • Fragile states
  • Migration
  • Nation-building
  • Climate
  • International organizations
  • United Nations
  • AU
Does BRICS' expansion signify conflict between the West and the rest?
Podcast

Does BRICS' expansion signify conflict between the West and the rest?

Is the BRICS a geopolitical competitor to the West? In this episode of the NUPI podcast The World Stage, Thor Olav Iversen (NUPI), Cedric de Conin...

  • International economics
  • Trade
  • International investments
  • Regional integration
  • Diplomacy
  • International organizations
  • International economics
  • Trade
  • International investments
  • Regional integration
  • Diplomacy
  • International organizations
Adaptive peace: A new way of thinking about peacebuilding
Podcast

Adaptive peace: A new way of thinking about peacebuilding

In this episode of the The World Stage, NUPI researchers Thor Olav Iversen and Cedric de Coning discuss how to sustain peace amidst the uncertaint...

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • Peace operations
  • Conflict
  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • Peace operations
  • Conflict
11 - 20 of 30 items