Cecilie Linn Wathne

Senior Adviser

Telephone: 98036833

Department: Bunnsamfunn

Cecilie Wathne leads the Norwegian Blue Forests Network (NBFN). NBFN is a competence network established by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and GRID-Arendal. Its mission is to be the best source of reliable and up to date knowledge on blue forests in order to raise awareness, offer solutions, inspire ecosystem- based policymaking and encourage the sustainable use of blue forests.

With over 15 years of work experience, Cecilie has developed expertise in the following four areas: 1) Project leadership; 2) Science communication; 3) International development; and 4) Results-based management. Her current research interests include kelp forests, seagrass meadows, marine spatial planning, and policy making.

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Curriculum Vitae

Education

Master of Science in Economics for Development (2006 – 2007)

University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (2001 – 2005)

University of Washington, USA

Bachelor of Science in Economics (2001 – 2005)

University of Washington, USA

Positions

Senior Adviser, Institute of Marine Research, Norway (2020 – Present)

Lead the Norwegian Blue Forests Network (NBFN)
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the network – from workplan development to reporting to the Board
Synthesise and disseminate latest blue forests research through popular outputs such as policy briefs, infographics, videos and editorials
Organise and run conferences, seminars, and webinars
Participate in panel debates and hold talks

Senior Adviser, Chr. Michelsen Institute, Norway (2018 – 2020)

Led the research theme 'evaluation and measurement'
Co-led the research theme ‘climate change and corruption’
Organised workshops and webinars
Responsible for the department’s results monitoring system
Lead role in strategy development

Consultant, Wathne Consulting, Norway (2017 – 2018)

Ran a consulting firm
Hired by companies to evaluate projects, write annual reports, and assist with funding applications

Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Stromme Foundation, Norway (2016 – 2017)

Member of the International Department management team
Led the process of preparing handbooks, strategies, and policies
Led the monitoring and evaluation working group
Norad contact person, responsible for all applications and reports to Norad
Organised international conferences

Adviser, Stromme Foundation, Norway (2010 – 2016)

East Africa desk officer
Led the monitoring and evaluation working group
Norad contact person, responsible for all applications and reports to Norad
Organised conferences
Ran capacity building workshops

Research Officer, Overseas Development Institute, United Kingdom (2007 – 2010)

Led and participated in multiple research projects on aid effectiveness

Research Analyst, Washington Research Council, USA (2005 – 2006)

Researched, wrote, and edited policy reports

Publications

Cecilie has written and disseminated over 30 white papers, reports, issue papers, and briefs for policymakers and practitioners. Examples of publications include:

2023. The top 10 blue forests trends in 2022. Story Map. Norwegian Blue Forests Network. With Tanya Bryan, Olivia Polkinghorne and Karen Agatha Martinez-Swatson.

2022. Evaluating anti-corruption interventions: How to tailor the evaluation to the nature of corruption and anti-corruption. Issue Paper. Chr. Michelsen Institute.

2021. Our blue forest are in decline. Editorial in Dagbladet 2 July. With Gunnar Sander, Hege Gundersen, Kjell-Magnus Norderhaug, Steven Lutz and Tanya Bryan.

2021. Protecting and Restoring Blue Forests: An important solution to reduce biodiversity decline. Policy Brief. Norwegian Blue Forests Network. With Gunnar Sander, Hege Gundersen, Kjell-Magnus Norderhaug, Thomas Wernberg, Peter Haugan and Solrun Figenschau Skjellum.

2021. Understanding corruption and how best to curb it: A synthesis of latest thinking. Issue Paper. Chr. Michelsen Institute.

2020. Corruption and climate finance: Implications for climate change interventions. Brief. Chr. Michelsen Institute. With Michael Nest and Saul Mullard.

2010. Global Funds: Allocation Strategies and Aid Effectiveness. Report. Overseas Development Institute. With Paul Isenman and Geraldine Baudienville.

2010. What does an effective multilateral donor look like? Project Briefing #40. Overseas Development Institute. With Edward Hedger.

2009. Aid for better health - What are we learning about what works and what we still have to do? Interim Report. Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development. With Alex Duncan.

2008. Better Aid - Aid Effectiveness: A Progress Report on Implementing the Paris Declaration. Report. Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development. With Alex Duncan.

2006. Diagnosing Increased Health Care Spending. Brief. Washington Research Council. With Kriss Sjoblom.

In addition, Cecilie has led the production of over 20 papers for internal and donor purposes – including the Norwegian Blue Forests Network’s strategy and annual reports, the Norwegian Association of Disabled’s annual international report, and Stromme Foundation’s results-based management handbook, evaluation policy, and anti-corruption strategy.

Publications

Academic articles

2024

Carbon stocks in Norwegian eelgrass meadows across environmental gradients

Karine Gagnon, Jonas Thormar, Stein Fredriksen, Maria Potouroglou, Jon Albretsen, Hege Gundersen, Kasper Hancke, Eli Rinde, Cecilie Linn Wathne, Kjell Magnus Norderhaug

Scientific Reports 14

Other journal contributions

2021

Våre blå skoger er i dårlig tilstand

Cecilie Linn Wathne, Gunnar Sander, Hege Gundersen, Kjell Magnus Norderhaug, Steven Lutz, Tanya Bryan

Dagbladet

Scientific lectures

2022

Norsk nettverk for blå skog - hvem er vi og hva kan vi bidra med? (oppfølging)

Wathne, Cecilie Linn