This is the website of Dr Magnús Árni Skjöld Magnússon, writer, political scientist, economist and professor at Bifröst University. Welcome to my site. It was originally meant as a way to present my CV and publications to academic colleagues and students and others who for whatever reason might be interested in that side of me.
My research centres on the intersection of governance, international relations, and sustainability, with a particular focus on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small nations like Iceland. My work explores how such nations navigate global integration, manage local and national governance structures, and respond to contemporary challenges such as climate change, security threats, and forced migration.
But I have increasingly felt that presented a very unidimensional picture of myself and what I do and stand for. Sure, I am an academic. I teach and do research and have for over two decades now. I trained for that at three different universities, did my PhD in Politics and a couple of master’s programs (in Economics and European Studies).
But I am also an experienced administrator and manager, a writer, a musician, a composer, a yogi, a consultant, an activist and last but not least the father of four fantastic kids (and the grandfather of two!).
In 2023 I published the book “How I Became the Yoga Teacher in Kabul” on a system I have devised to bring order to my life. You can buy it on Amazon if it interests you. It is available in paperback, audiobook and kindle formats.
I live in Reykjavík, Iceland, my country of birth. Iceland is a natural paradise and one of the safest and most progressive and prosperous places on Earth, where everyone is an artist of some kind. I am grateful for being born here, especially after having spent half a year in a military camp in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2018. The weather is actually not that bad here either. Never too warm, never too cold. Never boring.
🙂
Global challenges are my passion, not least gender equality and environmental issues. I am writing a book about that. I’m studying theology now, and I meditate daily. I am so grateful for having found that practice, albeit late in life.
I hope this website gives some insight into my pursuits. If you want to contact me, see here. Thank you for your visit!
