Welcome to FNI's New Master's Students, Spring 2025!

'Our master’s students bring fresh energy and make FNI a more exciting place,' says Iver B. Neumann.

'Master's students invigorate our academic environment with fresh ideas and critical perspectives. Their projects not only advance our understanding of key issues but also enrich the intellectual life of the institute. We see their work as a vital contribution to both the students' growth and the broader research community,' says FNI Director Iver B. Neumann.

FNI welcomes new master's students every semester, offering scholarships and the opportunity to conduct their thesis research in our academic environment. Application deadlines are November 20 and May 20. Find out more about our student scholarships here (in Norwegian only).

The students are provided with office space at Polhøgda and play an active role in the institute's daily life.

This spring, we are proud to introduce:

Emma-Lovise Ridderseth

Master's Program: Law, University of Oslo

Supervisor: Ole Kristian Fauchald

Thesis: Zoning Plan Requirements for Aquaculture Installations in the Sea under the Norwegian Planning and Building Act

Emma-Lovise examines whether site clearance constitutes a decision that triggers a regulatory obligation under Section 12-1, third paragraph, of the Planning and Building Act, and what legal consequences the failure to comply with such an obligation may have for site clearance decisions.

Ida Therese Høvik

Master's Program: International Relations, University of Cambridge

Supervisor: Iver B. Neumann

Thesis: Western embassies’ digital diplomacy and localization of diplomatic content in East Asia

Ida's research focuses on how Western embassies adapt their digital communication to local contexts in East Asia. Her work explores the strategic choices behind content adaptation and how these decisions influence international relationships. Practical case studies from embassies in the region form the core of her analysis.

Tizian David Ziegler

Master's Program: Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Supervisor: Gunnar Fermann

Thesis: What factors and motivations explain Germany's energy development from the “Energiewende” to today?

Tizian examines Germany's energy development, focusing on the economic, political, and external factors driving its transition to renewables. By applying theories like Schumpeter's creative destruction and Olson's vested interests, his work sheds light on key moments of change and continuity in Germany's energy history.