Bio and CV
Data scientist, consultant, and former academic researcher.
My work combines machine learning, NLP, LLM evaluation, statistical modeling, program evaluation, and domain expertise in policy, risk, security, and international conflict.
About Me
I am currently working as an independent data science consultant, conducting analysis and research for clients with complex legal, policy, compliance, risk, and program data. Recent projects include LLM-based validation of compliance review outputs, legal text classification, risk-score validation, geospatial feature engineering, and program evaluation using administrative and social media data.
Before consulting, I was a Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin and a National Security Fellow at the Clements Center for National Security. I taught international security and social science research methods, supervised undergraduate research, and mentored students through thesis and research projects.
From Norway to Applied Data Science
I am originally from Ålesund, on the west coast of Norway, and grew up outside of Oslo. My path since then has moved through journalism, international relations, cybersecurity policy, conflict research, teaching, and applied data science. That route still shapes how I work: I care about evidence, but also about context, institutions, incentives, and how to think about complex systems.
Research and Academic Background
My academic research focused primarily on international security, civil wars, conflict interventions and retaliation, and cybersecurity. I received my PhD from UT Austin in 2021. My dissertation examined how external actors can shape civil war onset and expansion, including when support for rebel groups can escalate into interstate conflict.
During my time at UT Austin, I was also affiliated with the Strauss Center for International Security and Law as a research assistant. My work combined game theory, statistical modeling, original data collection, and project management, including supervision of dozens of research assistants and interns collecting data on internationalized civil wars.
Policy and Cybersecurity Experience
Before coming to UT Austin, I worked as a junior research fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. My work there focused on cybersecurity, power, and national cyber strategy. I contributed to international research and military concept-development projects, collaborated with civilian and military stakeholders, and helped organize a seminar series on Norwegian cybersecurity policy.
Earlier in my career, I interned at think tanks in Washington, D.C., where I contributed analysis on defense spending and policy for two bipartisan task forces. I hold an M.A. in International Relations from Boston University and a B.A. in Journalism from Oslo University College.