Research Interests
- Conflict-induced migration
- Migrant-host interactions
- Environmental stress and armed conflict
- Development and health consequences of conflict violence
- Geospatial data and methods
I am a Human Geographer and my research focuses on the causes and consequences of armed conflict, primarily at the sub-national level using quantitative geospatial data. I am currently leading the Young Researcher Talent project "Geographies of Conflict-Induced Migration (CONMIG)", where we use mixed-methods to understand how different forms of violence and levels of intensity affect forced migration, and to where individuals are likely to flee. I am also part of the TRUST project, where we research attitudinal impacts of refugees on host communities in the global south. I have also worked on the effect of aid on infant mortality rate, the effect of conflict on maternal health and child mortality, the impact of droughts on conflict and land ownership, and how conflict affects the local physical environment.
Much of my work focuses on the use of geospatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for research on the causes and consequences of conflict. I am interested in how to integrate new data sources in new ways, that can enable us to study new research questions, and enable research at a more local geographical level, shifting focus away from the country as the unit of analysis. I am also interested in how to use local geospatial data for forecasting conflict and migration, allowing humanitarian actors better prioritize among areas of operation and prepare for impending emergencies.
Background
Working Experience
Senior Researcher, PRIO, 2016 - present.
Associated Researcher, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), 2016 - 2019.
Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, 2017.
Ph.D. Candidate, Human Geography, University of Oslo, 2011 - 2016.
Researcher, Centre For The Study of Civil War, PRIO, 2010 - 2016.
Research assistant, Centre For The Study of Civil War, PRIO, 2008 - 2010.
Education
Ph.D. in Human Geography, University of Oslo, Defended November 4, 2016. Title of the Dissertation: "Local Dynamics of Civil War". Download here: 
Tollefsen_PhD_Avhandling.pdf
M.A. in Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Peace Research Institute, Oslo, 2008 - 2010.
B.A. degree in Geography from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2005 - 2008.
Awards
Stuart A. Bremer Graduate Travel Award 2009.