The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Haakon Gjerløw as its new Deputy Director, effective 1 October.
Gjerløw, currently a Senior Researcher at PRIO and Lecturer at the University of Oslo, reflected on the significance of the appointment:
“I feel deeply privileged and honoured to be entrusted with the role of Deputy Director at PRIO. Our community produces high quality research in an increasingly competitive industry, under the common goal of advancing peaceful relations. I am proud to work here, and in this new role comes a responsibility to help cultivate the core values of PRIO: producing excellent and impactful research. Fortunately, I have the best colleagues in the world to work with.”
A strong academic and leadership record
Haakon Gjerløw has been with PRIO since 2019, where his work has focused on political regimes, democracy and mass-mobilization. His research spans topics including research methods, comparative politics, and conflict and human rights in international politics, and has appeared in leading journals such as Comparative Political Studies, World Development and Political Research Quarterly.
He has also been a visible voice in public debates, and regularly engages with Norwegian and international media. He has contributed opinion pieces to Aftenposten newspaper, NRK Ytring, and The Washington Post.
Gjerløw already has demonstrated leadership in academic and organizational settings as Leader of the Norwegian Association of Researchers at PRIO (2024-2025), after previously holding the role of Deputy Leader (2023). He has also served on boards and committees for organizations including The Norwegian Support Group for Western Sahara and Changemaker Norway.
Teaching has also been central to Gjerløw’s career. He has lectured widely at the University of Oslo and at PRIO’s International Summer School, but also abroad at research facilities in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Looking ahead
As Deputy Director, Gjerløw will play a central role in supporting the Institute’s leadership in advancing PRIO’s mission to produce world class research and knowledge that informs policy and promotes peace.
PRIO Director Nina Græger, who nominated Gjerløw for the position, said: “With Haakon’s strong academic record, international outlook and proven leadership, I am confident that he will further strengthen PRIO’s role as a leading international institute for peace research and international relations.”
Haakon Gjerløw succeeds Torunn L. Tryggestad, who is stepping down as Deputy Director after eight years in the role. PRIO’s Director is grateful to Tryggestad for her service: “Torunn has been an invaluable Deputy Director for nearly a decade, steering PRIO with dedication and integrity. She has been particularly instrumental in strengthening PRIO’s research and policy engagement on women, peace and security, ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into international peace and security debates. As an appointed member of the second commission evaluating Norway’s engagement in Afghanistan 2015-2021, Tryggestad has convincingly demonstrated how PRIO’s research is relevant, while also engages with policymakers and stakeholders.”
