Kristian Berg Harpviken (42) is a sociologist with broad experience within both research and operational activities. This combination will be particularly useful for the CRPB programme, which aims to integrate research, policy and operational activities.

Harpviken first came to PRIO in 1993, when he was awarded a student scholarship to complete his dissertation on political mobilization among the Hazara of Afghanistan. In 1999, he initiated the Assistance to Mine-Affected Communities (AMAC) project, which he still leads. The AMAC project, and the network built around it, has been spearheading research within the landmine sector internationally, as seen most recently in the publication of a special issue of Third World Quarterly. Harpviken is also engaged in research into peacebuilding strategies for Afghanistan, and is currently in the closing phase of his PhD thesis on forced migration in Afghanistan.

Kristian Berg Harpviken takes over the leadership of the CRPB programme from Hilde Henriksen Waage.