Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
The AISD Forum 🤖 ⋂ 🛡️ (AI, Security & Defense) cordially invites you to a special public presentation by John-Mikal Størdal (SM '92) from October 3, 2024, on the role of Scientific & Technological cooperation in the future of security & defense. This event is a part of AISD's Fall '24 series on "Arctic Security".
Speaker: John-Mikal Størdal (Director, NATO Science & Technology Organization)
Hosts: Phil Tinn & Olivia Houck
Abstract: As technology continues to reshape the nature of conflict, it has gained significant strategic importance and has become a key arena of global competition. Technological superiority increasingly influences success on the battlefield. Strategic competitors and potential adversaries are investing heavily in science and technology (S&T) that could restrict access and freedom to operate across all domains, target civilian and military infrastructure, impair defense capabilities, and jeopardize security.
A recent example is Ukraine, where advanced technologies have been leveraged to enhance military effectiveness and resilience against external aggression. This situation highlights the necessity for robust countermeasures. Additionally, with the changing climate, new regions have gained strategic importance. In the High North, Russia’s capability to disrupt Allied reinforcements and freedom of navigation across the North Atlantic is a strategic challenge to the Alliance. Operating in the High North creates S&T challenges which must be addressed. NATO Nations must respond together accordingly to strengthen collective defense and support nations facing such challenges.
The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW) provides a unique forum through which Allies and partner nations voluntarily share national resources to define, conduct and promote cooperative research and information exchange, in order to multiply the value of their S&T investments. The NATO STO CPoW is essential for equipping the Alliance with the best scientific and technical capabilities and knowledge to face current and future challenges. To this end, the CPoW aims to “Empower NATO’s Technological Edge”.
Biography: John-Mikal Størdal serves as the Director of the NATO Science & Technology Organization’s (STO) Collaboration Support Office (CSO) in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France since 1 July 2021. As the executive office of the NATO STO, the CSO is responsible for coordinating, synchronising and supporting defence- and security-related science and technology (S&T) research and development (R&D) activities between NATO member and partner Nations. In 2022, more than 300 activities were carried out under the STO Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW), which is underpinned by a collaborative network of about 5,000 scientists – the largest defence S&T network in the world – from across the Alliance. Prior to taking up duties as CSO Director, Mr Størdal was the Director General of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), the key institution for defence-related R&D in Norway. He was appointed Director General in 2012, after having previously served as Chief of Staff, Director of Research and scientist within the FFI since joining the institution in 1989. From 2012-2021, he served as the Norwegian Principal Member on the NATO Science & Technology Board (STB) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) Research & Technology Steering Board. Mr Størdal holds a Master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a Diploma Engineering degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTNU). He was also a Fulbright Scholar from 1991-92, and completed the Senior Executive Course at the Norwegian National Defence College in 2009. Mr Størdal is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences (NTVA). Mr. Størdal is married to Mona, and has three adult children. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking in the mountains and general outdoor activities.
The AISD Forum 🤖 ⋂ 🛡️ (AI, Security & Defense) cordially invites you to a special public presentation by John-Mikal Størdal (SM '92) from October 3, 2024, on the role of Scientific & Technological cooperation in the future of security & defense. This event is a part of AISD's Fall '24 series on "Arctic Security".
Speaker: John-Mikal Størdal (Director, NATO Science & Technology Organization)
Hosts: Phil Tinn & Olivia Houck
Abstract: As technology continues to reshape the nature of conflict, it has gained significant strategic importance and has become a key arena of global competition. Technological superiority increasingly influences success on the battlefield. Strategic competitors and potential adversaries are investing heavily in science and technology (S&T) that could restrict access and freedom to operate across all domains, target civilian and military infrastructure, impair defense capabilities, and jeopardize security.
A recent example is Ukraine, where advanced technologies have been leveraged to enhance military effectiveness and resilience against external aggression. This situation highlights the necessity for robust countermeasures. Additionally, with the changing climate, new regions have gained strategic importance. In the High North, Russia’s capability to disrupt Allied reinforcements and freedom of navigation across the North Atlantic is a strategic challenge to the Alliance. Operating in the High North creates S&T challenges which must be addressed. NATO Nations must respond together accordingly to strengthen collective defense and support nations facing such challenges.
The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW) provides a unique forum through which Allies and partner nations voluntarily share national resources to define, conduct and promote cooperative research and information exchange, in order to multiply the value of their S&T investments. The NATO STO CPoW is essential for equipping the Alliance with the best scientific and technical capabilities and knowledge to face current and future challenges. To this end, the CPoW aims to “Empower NATO’s Technological Edge”.
Biography: John-Mikal Størdal serves as the Director of the NATO Science & Technology Organization’s (STO) Collaboration Support Office (CSO) in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France since 1 July 2021. As the executive office of the NATO STO, the CSO is responsible for coordinating, synchronising and supporting defence- and security-related science and technology (S&T) research and development (R&D) activities between NATO member and partner Nations. In 2022, more than 300 activities were carried out under the STO Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW), which is underpinned by a collaborative network of about 5,000 scientists – the largest defence S&T network in the world – from across the Alliance. Prior to taking up duties as CSO Director, Mr Størdal was the Director General of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), the key institution for defence-related R&D in Norway. He was appointed Director General in 2012, after having previously served as Chief of Staff, Director of Research and scientist within the FFI since joining the institution in 1989. From 2012-2021, he served as the Norwegian Principal Member on the NATO Science & Technology Board (STB) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) Research & Technology Steering Board. Mr Størdal holds a Master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a Diploma Engineering degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTNU). He was also a Fulbright Scholar from 1991-92, and completed the Senior Executive Course at the Norwegian National Defence College in 2009. Mr Størdal is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences (NTVA). Mr. Størdal is married to Mona, and has three adult children. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking in the mountains and general outdoor activities.
