Karen Marie Oseland

Karen joined ICIMOD in April 2025. She specifically leads ICIMOD’s Arctic-Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) efforts, focusing on strengthening collaboration between the Arctic and Himalayan region.

Karen’s experience and passion is in international relations, with a specific focus on the Arctic. She has several years of experience in Arctic affairs. She has worked on the Climate and Arctic team at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington DC, collaborated with the High North Center for Business and Governance at Nord University in Bodø, Norway, and contributed to The Arctic Institute. Her professional background also includes consultancy work in Washington DC, where she provided services on various issues related to climate and nature-based solutions.

Karen worked as a climate and energy analyst at ICIMOD from 2019 to 2020. During her tenure, she focused on hydropower policy and Arctic-HKH relations. Karen holds a MS in Global Affairs, specialising in Energy and Environment Policy, from New York University. She has bachelor’s degrees in Geosciences, Political Science, and Global Studies from Pacific Lutheran University and additionally completed a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University.