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.,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,programme leader,deputy director,and director. After his director term 2009–2017 was concluded,he stayed on as senior researcher and research professor,up until he took up the directorship at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in January 2025. [1]
Harpviken has participated and led multiple long-term research projects on anti-personnel landmines,internally displaced and refugees,peacebuilding,as well as regional security. Additionally,he has provided consultancy services to several international NGOs and multilateral organizations.
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