Ole Bjørn Røste

Ole Bjørn Røste is a Professor at the Department of Sociology and Political Science within the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His academic career bridges political science and economics, with expertise in public policy, monetary economics, and institutional analysis. Professor Røste has been an active member of NTNU's faculty since 2003, teaching courses on globalization, economic integration, growth and development, and monetary policy, with a new course POL2029 on Monetary Policy and the Foreign Exchange Market scheduled for autumn 2025. His research particularly focuses on Norway's relationship with the European Union and European Economic Area, sovereign wealth funds, and the institutional determinants of economic development.

Professor Røste's academic credentials include:

• Siviløkonom from NHH (Norwegian School of Economics), 1986, specializing in Finance and International Economics
• Cand mag from University of Bergen, 1987, in Political Science with Chemistry as supplementary subject
• Cand polit from University of Oslo, 1995, in Political Science, International Politics
• Dr polit from University of Oslo, 2006, in Socioeconomics with focus on Macroeconomics - Stabilization Policy
• Master in Law from University of Oslo, 2018, with thesis on tradability of non-listed shares

Professor Røste's research interests encompass public policy and administration, economic growth and development with emphasis on institutional frameworks, monetary and exchange rate policy, stabilization policy, asset management (particularly regarding the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global), corruption studies (limited to Europe), and individual rights. His work examines how institutional structures shape economic outcomes and policy effectiveness, with particular attention to Norway's position within international economic structures. His expertise in European monetary policy and sovereign wealth funds has made him a sought-after commentator in Norwegian and international media.

His publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory focused on the intersection of politics and economics. His 2021 monograph "Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund" provides a comprehensive analysis of how Norway converted hydrocarbon resources into long-term wealth through the Government Pension Fund Global. The 2023 textbooks "Politics and Economics for Political Scientists" and "Economics and Politics for Social Scientists" represent significant contributions to political science education, bridging economic principles with policy analysis. His recent Washington Post commentary on U.S. proposals for a sovereign wealth fund demonstrates his ongoing engagement with contemporary policy debates.

Professor Røste has maintained an active teaching schedule at NTNU, developing and delivering courses including POL1004 Globalization and Regional Integration, POL3513 Growth, Development and Institutions, and the newly developed POL2029 Monetary Policy and the Foreign Exchange Market. His teaching emphasizes practical applications of economic principles to political science questions, particularly regarding Norway's position in international economic structures. Prior to his academic career, Professor Røste gained extensive practical experience working with monetary policy and investments for Norges Bank (1986-2002) and for the Ministry of Finance with monetary policy and capital management.