Niklas Hultin

Niklas Hultin is a Professor in the Department of Global Affairs at George Mason University (GMU). His research focuses on security practices in West Africa, particularly The Gambia, examining small arms control, conflict prevention, and the intersection of anthropology, law, and international relations. He holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania, an LLM in Human Rights Law from Queen's University Belfast, and a BA in History and Anthropology from the University of the South–Sewanee.

Dr. Hultin’s work combines field research with policy engagement. His book *Domestic Gun Control and International Small Arms Control in Africa* analyzes The Gambia as a case study for global arms control norms. He has consulted for organizations like the World Bank and Transparency International, and provided expert testimony in Gambia-related legal cases across multiple countries. His recent research includes studies on conflict early warning systems in Liberia, misinformation in Sweden during the pandemic, and arms transfers to Ukraine and Africa.

He has taught courses on human security, international development, and global affairs at both undergraduate and graduate levels at GMU. He also leads study abroad programs to Sweden and The Gambia. His research has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the Isaac Newton Trust, and the American-Scandinavian Foundation.

Key areas of investigation include the political economy of early warning systems, the role of technology in conflict forecasting, and the socio-cultural dimensions of gun ownership. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, emphasizing the pluralization of legal frameworks in developing countries.