Profile
Sebastian Maria Karl Heinrich KOPF is Advisor at the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), with expertise in International Ocean Law, Governance, and Knowledge Brokering. He holds an LL.M. in Law of the Sea from UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. His work focuses on ocean and climate governance, marine ecosystem restoration, and the science-policy interface, particularly in the Arctic and Atlantic regions. He contributes to major EU-funded initiatives such as BlueMissionAA, where he supports strategic governance and legal approaches, stakeholder engagement, and the development of governance frameworks for marine and coastal ecosystem restoration.
With extensive experience in project and programme management, Sebastian has led initiatives across the education, sustainability, and development sectors. In the Arctic, he coordinated outreach and learning programmes reaching over 3,000 individuals. During his time with the United Nations in the Middle East, he co-developed sustainability guidelines for 30,000+ personnel and contributed efforts to the establishment of a recycling programme in the humanitarian context. Prior to that, Sebastian lived and worked in Asia and South America, contributing to research on international development work.
Sebastian’s approach bridges research, policy, and practice. He is particularly active in Arctic science-policy cooperation, working on topics including marine pollution, sustainable ocean economies, and human security. Fluent in German and English, he is known for analytical thinking, effective communication, and fostering inclusive, solution-oriented processes.
Please feel free to reach out!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiankopf/
With extensive experience in project and programme management, Sebastian has led initiatives across the education, sustainability, and development sectors. In the Arctic, he coordinated outreach and learning programmes reaching over 3,000 individuals. During his time with the United Nations in the Middle East, he co-developed sustainability guidelines for 30,000+ personnel and contributed efforts to the establishment of a recycling programme in the humanitarian context. Prior to that, Sebastian lived and worked in Asia and South America, contributing to research on international development work.
Sebastian’s approach bridges research, policy, and practice. He is particularly active in Arctic science-policy cooperation, working on topics including marine pollution, sustainable ocean economies, and human security. Fluent in German and English, he is known for analytical thinking, effective communication, and fostering inclusive, solution-oriented processes.
Please feel free to reach out!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiankopf/