Empowering NATO’s Technological Edge

Please join the Center for Strategic and International Studies for a conversation with John-Mikal Størdal, Director of NATO’s Science & Technology Organization’s (STO) Collaboration Support Office (CSO). Mr. Størdal will join Rachel Ellehuus, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program to discuss his organization’s role in empowering NATO allies and partners to maintain their technological edge over potential adversaries given an increasingly complex security environment and the evolving nature of warfare.

The STO is the world’s largest collaborative forum for science and technology research in security and defense, comprising a network of about 5,000 scientists who execute over 300 research activities per year. Mr. Størdal leads the CSO, the executive office of the STO responsible for coordinating and supporting defence-related science and technology research and development activities between NATO member and partner nations. Prior to this role, he was appointed as the Director General of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) – the key institution for defence-related research and development in Norway - after posts as the Chief of Staff, Director of Research and director of various other divisions, and a scientist within the FFI since joining 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) R&T Steering Board.

This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.