Niels Byrjalsen

Niels Byrjalsen is a Postdoc (Research Fellow) at the Centre for Military Studies, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen. He specializes in European, Nordic, and Danish security and defence policy, transatlantic relations, NATO, trust, subversion, and international order.

• PhD in Political Science, University of Copenhagen
• Master in Political Science, Aarhus University
• MSc in International Relations, London School of Economics
• Bachelor in Political Science, Aarhus University

His research bridges theoretical frameworks like constructivism and practice theory with practical security challenges, including small-state strategy, security communities, and military policy. He explores how trust and subversion influence international order and NATO's role in a multipolar world.

Recent publications analyze European defence industries, Nordic-Baltic security cooperation, and the strategic implications of Trump's presidency for transatlantic relations. His work emphasizes statecraft, security policy, and diplomacy in adapting to evolving geopolitical realities.

Byrjalsen supervises students in his research areas and contributes to public discourse through media appearances in outlets like Videnskab.dk, Ræson, and Jyllands-Posten. He is actively involved in workshops and conferences on topics such as NATO enlargement, Euro-Atlantic security, and hybrid threats.