Iselin Frydenlund

Iselin Frydenlund is a Professor of Religious Studies and Section Manager at the MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society. She holds a PhD in the History of Religion from the University of Oslo (2011), focusing on Buddhism and violence during the Sri Lankan civil war. Her research examines Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, with a focus on Buddhism’s relationship to nationalism, politics, and violence. She has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Religion and Violence and co-organized the Nordic Network for Buddhist Studies. Her work includes analyzing Buddhist monastic legal engagement, anti-Muslim nationalism, and interreligious dialogue initiatives in Buddhist-majority countries.

Education: PhD in History of Religion (University of Oslo, 2011), Post-Graduate Studies at the London School of Economics (1996–1997). Positions include Membership in the Scientific Board of MF (since 2016) and academic advising for the NORPART Myanmar project. She has collaborated with the Norwegian Institute for Peace Research (PRIO) and the Buddhist Association of Norway.

Research interests emphasize Buddhism’s role in political conflicts, religious legitimization of violence, and peacebuilding. Recent work analyzes Myanmar’s 2021 military coup responses, global Islamophobia dynamics, and Buddhist legal frameworks in transitional states. Her articles explore topics like 'Love Jihad' discourses, Buddhist constitutionalism, and Kataragama pilgrimage site’s role in conflict resolution.

Publications span academic journals and edited volumes, addressing Buddhist-Muslim relations, religious freedom policies, and post-civil war dynamics. She frequently comments on Myanmar/Sri Lanka issues in international media, focusing on religion-violence intersections.