Polar Staff

Alfthan, Björn

Project Officer, Polar Programme

Phone: +47 907 344 32

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Academic/Research Background

My academic background is in ecology and biodiversity science, having read for a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management. During my studies I had the opportunity to work as a university research assistant in Spain, and to undertake my MSc dissertation research on human-wildlife conflict in Assam, India.

2007 – 2008: MSc Biodiversity, Conservation & Management, University of Oxford (UK)
2002 – 2006: BSc Biology with a Year in Europe, Imperial College London (UK)
2004 – 2005: Research Assistant, Cavanilles Institute for Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia (Spain)

Professional Experience

Before arriving at GRID-Arendal, I worked as a consultant for the Global Environment Facility projects within a specialised UN agency for agricultural development - where I assisted in the project cycle management of biodiversity and land degradation projects. I have also worked for conservation NGOs in the Union of the Comoros and in Tanzania, focussing on both marine and terrestrial ecological studies, capacity building, and awareness-raising.

2008 – 2009: Junior Consultant, GECC Unit, International Fund for Agricultural Development
2007: Ecological Researcher, Ol Tukai Conservancy, Arusha, Tanzania
2006: Conservation Management Intern, Community Centred Conservation (C3), Comoros