Laila Susanne Vars

Laila Susanne Vars has extensive experience in academia, governance, and human rights advocacy. Currently serving as Førsteamanuensis and Chairwoman of the Board at Sámi allaskuvla/Samisk høgskole since August 2019, Laila is also a Board member at Norsk Utenrikspolitisk Institutt and Redd Barna. Laila held the position of Rektor at Sámi University of Applied Science until August 2023 and was actively involved with the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples from 2017 to 2023. Previous roles include being a Jury member for the Norwegian Ministry of Culture's National Human Rights Award for Journalists, Research Director at Norges institusjon for menneskerettigheter, and Executive Director at GALDU. Laila obtained a PhD in International Law and Legal Studies and a Law degree from UiT The Arctic University of Norway.