Marit Reitan

Marit Reitan is a Professor of Political Science specializing in public policy and administration at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She is affiliated with the Department of Sociology and Political Science within the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences. Reitan has held significant leadership positions at NTNU, serving as Head of Department (2009-2012), Dean (2013-2020), and Pro-rector for Education (2020-2025). She currently chairs the portfolio board for education and administration in SIKT and serves as an expert for NOKUT.

Reitan's research focuses on public governance and management, public administration, nature and climate policy, municipal policy, and digitalization. Her work examines the intersection of environmental policy with administrative structures, particularly analyzing how national policies are implemented at local levels. She has extensively studied multi-level governance systems, exploring the dynamics between state authorities and municipalities in policy implementation. Her research also addresses how professional networks influence climate adaptation strategies and how digitalization transforms public administration.

Analysis of Reitan's publications reveals consistent engagement with governance structures across multiple policy domains. Her work shows a progression from environmental policy (particularly nature conservation and biodiversity) toward broader public administration concerns including municipal governance and digital transformation. A recurring theme is the examination of multi-level governance systems and the tension between national policy frameworks and local implementation. Her research often employs case study methodologies to understand how policy networks operate across different administrative levels.

Reitan has participated in various research projects with national and international funding within environmental and energy policy areas. She contributed to the Biodiversity Act Committee that laid the foundation for the Natural Mangfold Act (NOU 2004:28) and served on the Admissions Committee (NOU 2022:17). Her leadership roles extended to serving on the Digitalisation Board for Higher Education and Research, as deputy chair of UHR Education and deputy chair of the SINTEF board.

Reitan has held numerous influential positions within the research and education sector beyond her NTNU appointments. She currently chairs the portfolio board for education and administration in SIKT, serves as an expert for NOKUT, and previously served as a member of the Digitalisation Board for Higher Education and Research. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to bridging academic research with practical policy implementation in the public sector.