As the executive office of the NATO STO, the CSO is responsible for coordinating, synchronising and supporting defence- and security-related science and technology (S&T) research and development (R&D) activities between NATO member and partner Nations. In 2022, more than 300 activities were carried out under the STO Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW), which is underpinned by a collaborative network of about 5,000 scientists – the largest defence S&T network in the world – from across the Alliance. » Prior to taking up duties as CSO Director, Mr Størdal was the Director General of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), the key institution for defenc erelated R&D in Norway.

He was appointed Director General in 2012, after having previously served as Chief of Staff, Director of Research and scientist within the FFI since joining the institution in 1989. » From 2012-2021, he served as the Norwegian Principal Member on the NATO Science & Technology Board (STB) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) Research & Technology Steering Board. » Mr Størdal holds a Master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a Diploma Engineering degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTNU).

He was also a Fulbright Scholar from 1991-92, and completed the Senior Executive Course at the Norwegian National Defence College in 2009. Mr Størdal is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences (NTVA).