Regine Andersen

Regine Andersen is a Research Professor and Research Director for Environment and Biodiversity at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI), where she has been engaged in research, project leadership, and policy dissemination since 1995 (with a break from 2013–2017). She holds a Dr. Polit. from the University of Oslo and a Diploma in Political Science from the Free University of Berlin. Her work focuses on the governance of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, with a particular emphasis on the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and the realization of farmers' rights.

• Research Director, Environment and Biodiversity, Fridtjof Nansen Institute (2020–2025)
• Research Professor, Fridtjof Nansen Institute (since 1995, with break 2013–2017)
• CEO, Oikos – Organic Norway (2013–2017)
• Member, Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Farmers’ Rights, ITPGRFA (2018–)
• Member, Norwegian Delegation to ITPGRFA Governing Body (2004–)

Her research interests include international and national governance of plant genetic resources, seed banks, community seed systems, agrobiodiversity, environmental law, and development cooperation. She has conducted field studies in Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Nepal, India, the Philippines, and Peru. Her current projects—DIVERSIFARM, DIVERSIFARM-India, and the Seed Security Project—explore pathways to food security through farmers' rights and local seed initiatives.

Her recent publications focus on community seed banks as tools for food security, the impact of intellectual property rights on seed stewardship, digital sequence information, and the implementation of international treaties. Themes across her work include equity in access and benefit-sharing, legal frameworks for seed sovereignty, and policy coherence between environmental and economic agreements.

Regine Andersen has authored two major books: Governing Agrobiodiversity: Plant Genetics and Developing Countries (2008) and Realising Farmers' Rights to Crop Genetic Resources: Success Stories and Best Practices (2017, co-edited). She also contributes to policy reports, briefs, and international consultations.

She has held leadership roles in civil society, including as Chairman of the Board of the Rainforest Foundation (2006–2012), and has advised the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on development policy. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice in the fields of agrobiodiversity and sustainable development.