Stig Jarle Hansen

Dr. Stig Jarle Hansen is a Professor at the Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), where he teaches courses in International Relations, Security Studies, Piracy, and Religion & Politics. He leads Norway’s only Master’s program in International Relations and is a leading expert on Islamism, Al-Shabaab, and maritime security in the Horn of Africa.

• Professor, Department of International Environment and Development Studies, NMBU
• Course Leader: EDS 203, EDS 372, EDS 373, EDS 376
• Research Focus: Horn of Africa, Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya
• Media Contributor: BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Reuters, CCTV

His research centers on religious politics, terrorism, political theory, organized crime, and maritime security, with a deep focus on the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. He has conducted annual field research in Mogadishu from 2005 to 2014 and has extensive expertise in Islamic political thought and British idealism.

The recent publications reflect a strong thematic focus on militant Islamism (particularly Al-Shabaab), regional conflict dynamics, piracy, and state formation in fragile contexts. His work bridges academic rigor with policy relevance, often analyzing current security challenges in Somalia, Yemen, and the Sahel, with an emphasis on transnational threats, governance, and counterterrorism strategies.

Dr. Hansen has no listed scientific awards in the provided text.

He supervises students on topics including religion and politics, terrorism, international relations theory, maritime security, organized crime, and regional studies (Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Qatar, UAE, Israel-Palestine, Muslim Brotherhood). While no specific grants are mentioned, his commissioned publications and policy commentaries suggest active engagement with research funding and policy institutions.

There is no mention of specific labs or research teams in the provided text, though his leadership of a Master’s program and publication record implies academic mentorship and collaborative research networks.