My research focuses on democracy and autocracy. I study the economic consequences of political regimes, the behaviour of political elites, the causes and effects of mass mobilization, and elections.
I work closely with practitioners in development and humanitarian aid. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to explore options for combining practice with science.
I am Acting Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), where I previously served as Deputy Director and Senior Researcher. I hold a PhD in political science from the University of Oslo.
My work is driven by a simple but demanding question: what enables people to live good lives? I believe that answering it requires understanding how political power is gained, used, and constrained, and that good research should be useful to those working to improve people's lives in practice.
Press photos: These can be downloaded from the Files tab above.
Journal article in The Journal of Economic History
PRIO Policy Brief
Book review in JPR Book Notes
Journal article in Comparative Political Studies
Journal article in Electoral Studies
PRIO Paper
Journal article in Journal on Education in Emergencies
Book review in JPR Book Notes
Journal article in iScience
Journal article in Electoral Studies
Statement from Haakon Gjerløw, Acting Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
The 2026 Summer School has commenced with an introductory day at PRIO. Participants were welcomed by the course coordinators, Malika Rakhmankulova and Maria Helena Chavez-Aagaard, together with PRIO’s Acting Director, Haakon Gjerløw.
Amalie Nilsen has today defended her PhD thesis: 'The Protest Paradox: The Role of Mass Mobilization in Promoting and Challenging Liberal Democracy '
PRIO has developed a new EU Matchmaking Guide to support organisations preparing project proposals under Horizon Europe in identifying relevant researchers.
PRIO has been awarded four framework agreements with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the period 2026–2030, strengthening the Institute’s role as a leading provider of research-based knowledge for Norwegian foreign and development policy.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway visited PRIO today for a series of briefings on pressing global challenges, including developments in the Middle East, emerging technologies, migration and the human consequences of war.
The PRIO Board and Nina Græger have agreed that she will step down as Director of PRIO as of 30 April.
The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Haakon Gjerløw as its new Deputy Director, effective 1 October.
After the Taliban’s return, Afghan women face severe restrictions but remain vital in society, especially in the healthcare sector. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, experts discuss concrete steps to support women’s rights and healthcare access.
PRIO hosted the 15th Annual Peace Address on 12 November, focusing on a pressing global concern: the state of democracy and the vital role of civil society in its preservation and renewal.
PRIO Deputy Director Haakon Gjerløw was interviewed on NRK’s Studio 2 radio programme speaking about the relationship between dictatorships and skyscrapers (listen at 15mins 16secs).
PRIO Deputy Director Haakon Gjerløw was interviewed in Utrop about how cuts in foreign aid could end up backfiring.
PRIO researcher Haakon Gjerløw wrote an opinion piece on the benefit of using evidence-based policymaking using randomized trials, that was published in the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.
PRIO researcher Haakon Gjerløw was interviewed about TikTok for an episode of Manifest Media’s podcast, Redaksjonen.
PRIO Researchers Marianne Dahl, Haakon Gjerløw and Carl Henrik Knutsen penned an opinion piece on the Nobel Peace Prize and mass mobilization, which was published in Aftenposten.
Researcher Haakon Gjerløw wrote an opinion piece in the Norwegian newspaper, Morgenbladet, on the implications of the former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s decision to stay on as leader of Høyre, after her recent scandal.
PRIO Researcher Haakon Gjerløw wrote an opinion piece on Norwegian politicians’ use of the Chinese-owned TikTok social media platform, which was published by the Norwegian website, NRK Yring. Haakon was also interviewed by NRK’s Dagsnytt 18 TV programme on the same topic (listen at 46 mins 45 secs).
PRIO Researcher Haakon Gjerløw wrote an article in reaction to story skeptical about the use of cash transfers as a form of humanitarian aid, was published in the Norwegian aid magazine, Bistandaktuelt.
PRIO started listing media appearances on profiles in 2023. Earlier media appearances may not be listed.
