Arild Underdal (13 August 1946 – 20 April 2025) was a Norwegian

political scientist Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and Power (social and political), power, and the analysis of political activities, political philosophy, political thought, polit ...

Life and career

Underdal was born in Bodø. He was professor at

BI Norwegian Business School BI Norwegian Business School () is a Norwegian specialized university that provides education and conducts research primarily in the fields of business and economics, marketing, strategy, management, and administration. BI is organized as a self ...

from 1984 to 1986, and was appointed professor of

international politics International relations (IR, and also referred to as international studies, international politics, or international affairs) is an academic discipline. In a broader sense, the study of IR, in addition to multilateral relations, concerns al ...

at the

University of Oslo The University of Oslo (; ) is a public university, public research university located in Oslo, Norway. It is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation#Europe, oldest university in Norway. Originally named the Royal Frederick Univ ...

from 1987. He served as rector of the University of Oslo from 2002 to 2006. Underdal was a fellow of the

Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (, DNVA) is a learned society based in Oslo, Norway. Its purpose is to support the advancement of science and scholarship in Norway. History The Royal Frederick University in Christiania was establis ...

. He was decorated Commander of the

Order of St. Olav The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav (; or ''Sanct Olafs Orden'', the old Norwegian name) is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav. Just be ...

in 2006. Underdal died on 20 April 2025, at the age of 78.Tidligere UiO-rektor er død

References

1946 births 2025 deaths People from Bodø Norwegian political scientists Academic staff of BI Norwegian Business School Academic staff of the University of Oslo Rectors of the University of Oslo Members of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters {{Norway-academic-bio-stub