Kristian Berg Harpviken
Encyclopedia
Kristian Berg Harpviken (born 27 December 1961 in Lillehammer
) is a Norwegian sociologist and researcher, and since 2009 director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Harpviken is foremost known for his competence on Afghanistan, where he has travelled extensively and conducted multiple field works since he first engaged with the country in 1989.
, 4 years undergraduate degree (1989) and cand.polit.
, 2 years post-graduate degree (1995) from University of Oslo
, both in Sociology. He has been a guest researcher at the University of Chicago
(1998) and Georgetown University
(2008).
His cand. polit. thesis (equivalent to an M. Phil.) was entitled Political Mobilization Among the Hazara of Afghanistan, 1978–1992. In 2006 he defended his doctoral dissertation in sociology, entitled Networks in Transition: Wartime Migration in Afghanistan. Besides the main concentration on sociology, he has studied business and development studies.
Between studies, Harpviken has served as agricultural coordinator and director for the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee in Peshawar
, Pakistan (1990–92). He also served 4 months conscientious objector duty for the same organization in 1989. Harpviken fulfilled 12 months compulsory military service in 1981, and trained as a conscript sergeant with specialization in mortars
.
Since 1993, Harpviken has been affiliated with PRIO, first as a student associate, from 1995 as researcher, then moving on to positions as senior researcher, deputy director, and now director. He has participated and led multiple long-term projects on anti-personnel landmines
, internally displaced and refugee
s, peacebuilding
, as well as regional security. In 2004–05 he was the programme leader of PRIO's research programme Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (CRPB). Additionally, he has provided consultancy services to several international NGOs and multilateral organizations.
, conflict resolution
, post-war reconstruction and
peacebuilding
), migration
and transnational communities, and methodology in difficult contexts. Geographically, his research is primarily forcused on Afghanistan and the region, but he also has fieldwork experience from Angola, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran, Mozambique, Pakistan; in large part related to the landmine situation and the landmine campaign
. He has taught several courses on methodology in crisis situations both for practitioners and graduate university students.
in media outlets from all over the world.
In 2009, he was awarded the Norwegian Sociological Association's (Eastern branch) Dissemination Award.
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
) is a Norwegian sociologist and researcher, and since 2009 director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Harpviken is foremost known for his competence on Afghanistan, where he has travelled extensively and conducted multiple field works since he first engaged with the country in 1989.
Education and work experience
Harpviken has both practical and academic education. He is a trained horticulturalist and has worked as a farmer for several years. He has his cand.mag.Cand.mag.
Candidatus magisterii , Candidata magisterii , i.e. Latin Candidate of Arts, abbreviated cand.mag., is an academic degree used in Denmark, and formerly in Norway and Iceland, roughly corresponding to an American Master of Arts and officially translated as such...
, 4 years undergraduate degree (1989) and cand.polit.
Cand.polit.
Candidatus rerum politicarum , Candidata rerum politicarum , abbreviated cand.polit., is an academic degree within the fields of social sciences issued under the old education system in Denmark and Norway.-Denmark:...
, 2 years post-graduate degree (1995) from University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, both in Sociology. He has been a guest researcher at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
(1998) and Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
(2008).
His cand. polit. thesis (equivalent to an M. Phil.) was entitled Political Mobilization Among the Hazara of Afghanistan, 1978–1992. In 2006 he defended his doctoral dissertation in sociology, entitled Networks in Transition: Wartime Migration in Afghanistan. Besides the main concentration on sociology, he has studied business and development studies.
Between studies, Harpviken has served as agricultural coordinator and director for the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee in Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
, Pakistan (1990–92). He also served 4 months conscientious objector duty for the same organization in 1989. Harpviken fulfilled 12 months compulsory military service in 1981, and trained as a conscript sergeant with specialization in mortars
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
.
Since 1993, Harpviken has been affiliated with PRIO, first as a student associate, from 1995 as researcher, then moving on to positions as senior researcher, deputy director, and now director. He has participated and led multiple long-term projects on anti-personnel landmines
Anti-personnel mine
Anti-personnel mines are a form of land mine designed for use against humans, as opposed to anti-tank mines, which are designed for use against vehicles...
, internally displaced and refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s, peacebuilding
Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding is a term used within the international development community to describe the processes and activities involved in resolving violent conflict and establishing a sustainable peace....
, as well as regional security. In 2004–05 he was the programme leader of PRIO's research programme Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (CRPB). Additionally, he has provided consultancy services to several international NGOs and multilateral organizations.
Research interests
Harpviken's specialties and research interests include the dynamics of civil war (mobilizationMobilization
Mobilization is the act of assembling and making both troops and supplies ready for war. The word mobilization was first used, in a military context, in order to describe the preparation of the Prussian army during the 1850s and 1860s. Mobilization theories and techniques have continuously changed...
, conflict resolution
Conflict resolution
Conflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of some social conflict. Often, committed group members attempt to resolve group conflicts by actively communicating information about their conflicting motives or ideologies to the rest...
, post-war reconstruction and
peacebuilding
Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding is a term used within the international development community to describe the processes and activities involved in resolving violent conflict and establishing a sustainable peace....
), migration
Human migration
Human migration is physical movement by humans from one area to another, sometimes over long distances or in large groups. Historically this movement was nomadic, often causing significant conflict with the indigenous population and their displacement or cultural assimilation. Only a few nomadic...
and transnational communities, and methodology in difficult contexts. Geographically, his research is primarily forcused on Afghanistan and the region, but he also has fieldwork experience from Angola, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran, Mozambique, Pakistan; in large part related to the landmine situation and the landmine campaign
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines is a coalition of non-governmental organizations working for a world free of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, where mine and cluster munitions survivors see their rights respected and can lead fulfilling lives.The coalition was formed in...
. He has taught several courses on methodology in crisis situations both for practitioners and graduate university students.
Dissemination and outreach
Harpviken frequently comments in national media on the situation in Afghanistan, and he is also concerned with Norway's peace policy and other aspects of foreign policy. As director of PRIO, he speculates and comments each year on the Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
in media outlets from all over the world.
In 2009, he was awarded the Norwegian Sociological Association's (Eastern branch) Dissemination Award.