Sine Vorland Holen

Holen is a researcher and senior advisor at Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College at Norwegian Defence University College. She has previously worked for the Norwegian Defence International Centre (NODEFIC) working with Human Security. Since 2017, she has led a project on combating conflict-related sexual violence.

Since 2019, she is leading a research project entitled 'The Use of Force to Stop Violence: Understanding the Role of the Military in Enhancing Human Security'. As part of this research, Holen investigates the military's role in preventing and stopping violence against civilians in armed conflict. The research has a particular focus on soldiers’ legal consciousness, perceptions of violence, and the nexus between military and police use of force to protect civilians.

Holen has interdisciplinary experience with conflict resolution work. She has worked with government building, human rights promotion, security policy, conflict analysis, forced migration, human security and protection of civilians. She has served in International Operations and Humanitarian efforts, including for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Switzerland and Egypt, the UN Peacekeeping Operation in Kosovo and with the Norwegian Refugee Council. 

She holds a Doctorate in Criminology and Legal Sociology, a Master's Degree in Sociology and Anthropology and a Graduate Diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies from the American University in Cairo. She has also completed modules in International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law, and is a trained Gestalt Therapist.