Håkon B. Stokland
Background and activities
I am researcher at the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture at the Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU). I have a PhD in interdisciplinary studies of culture and a master’s degree in history, both from NTNU. I have also studied biology over three years as part of my bachelor’s degree in history, and have formerly worked as a marine biologist assistant. I visited Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin for 8 months and University of Newcastle upon Tyne for 1 year during my studies.
My research employs historical and cultural perspectives to address the issue of biodiversity loss. I have studied biodiversity government, management tools and knowledge production. In a broader sense, my research investigates human-nature interactions and the entangled dynamics of cultural and environmental processes over time. My approach draws on science and technology studies, environmental history and governmentality studies. I have also done research on historical memory studies and cultural history of food.
I am selected fellow for The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessment of the sustainable use of wild species. (2018-2021)
I am also co-founder and organizer of the research group the History and Culture of Environments (HCE). This interdisciplinary group involves researchers from more than ten departments at NTNU.
Research interests
- Biodiversity governance and management
- The history and culture of environments
- Sustainability and bioeconomy
- Cultural history of food
- Historical memory studies and oral sources
Teaching and supervision
I teach at bachelor, master and PhD level. I supervise master and PhD students. Get in touch if you are interested in pursuing a thesis related to my research interests.
Selected research projects
- In food we trust – Technologies of Governance in Industrialized Food Systems (NFR SAMKUL, 2012-2018)
- Acid Rain Revisited (NFR Environment 2015 and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, 2015-2018)
- Evaluation of regional carnivore management in Norway (the Ministry of Climate and Environment, 2015-2016)
- Voices of Nature: Representing nature in environmental policy negotiations (NFR Environment 2015, 2009-2014)
- Returning the wolf to Norway and Norway to nature - Controversy and politics on nature restoration (NTNU HF, 2009-2014)
Awards and commissions of trust
- Selected fellow for The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessment of the sustainable use of wild species. (2018-2021)
- Organizer and co-founder of the research group the History and Culture of Environments (HCE), encompassing members from more than 10 departments at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. (2018- )
- Awarded IASNR (International Association for Society and Natural Resources) Student Paper Competition Prize for best PhD paper, USA. (2015)
- Awarded PhD fellowship. Faculty of Humanities, the Department of Interdisciplinary studies of Culture, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. (2009)
- Awarded HIFO’s (The Norwegian Historical Association) ‘Free Word scholarship 2008’ for best master thesis in history. (2008)
- Awarded NLI’s (The Norwegian Institute of Local History) ‘Master’s degree scholarship 2007’ for best master thesis. (2007)
Scientific, academic and artistic work
Displaying a selection of activities. See all publications in the database
Journal publications
- (2016) How Many Wolves Does it Take to Protect the Population? Minimum Viable Population Size as a Technology of Government in Endangered Species Management (Norway, 1970s–2000s). Environment and History.
- (2015) Field studies in absentia: counting and monitoring from a distance as technologies of government in Norwegian wolf management (1960s–2010s). Journal of the History of Biology. vol. 48 (1).
- (2013) Molecularising Nature: How Scandinavian Wolves became Natural. Forum.
- (2013) Politikkens natur – naturens politikk. Nordic Journal of Science and Technology Studies. vol. 1 (1).
- (2012) The politics of nature and the nature of politics by Kristin Asdal. Tecnoscienza, Italian Journal of Science & Technology Studies.
- (2012) Wired Wilderness: Technologies of Tracking and the Making of Modern Wildlife by Etienne Benson. ICON.
- (2010) Lystig sang og tunge løft: Kjønnsforskjeller i tilbakeskuende fortellinger om arbeidet på Langaard tobakkfabrikk ca. 1890-1940. Heimen - Lokal og regional historie. vol. 47 (3).
Report/dissertation
- (2016) Evaluering av regional rovviltforvaltning. 2016. ISBN 978-82-426-2925-8. NINA rapport (1268).
- (2015) Towards a new approach for studies of endangered species management - Technologies of government in Norwegian wolf management (1960s-2010s). 2015.
- (2007) Kvinners trivelige og menns tunge arbeid ved Langaard tobakkfabrikk (ca. 1890-1940) - et kulturhistorisk eksperiment innen minneforskning. 2007.