Nuno Marques, Assistant Professor at Oslo Metropolitan University tells how his distance learning degree at Lancaster informed his career choices and the confidence to navigate across multiple fields.

"I graduated from Lancaster University with an LLM in Diplomacy and International Law in February 2020, a programme that was both intellectually enriching and deeply formative. My time at Lancaster gave me a global perspective, a strong academic foundation and the confidence to navigate across disciplines and sectors, which is something I continue to do in my current roles.

Although I completed the LLM through distance learning, Lancaster fostered a real sense of connection. I had the privilege of meeting people who would become friends for life, including Ahmed Fahmy and Mark Jones. Both were and still are an inspiration to me in the way they approached life, learning and service to others. Sadly, Mark passed away a few years ago, but his memory and spirit continue to guide me in both my professional and personal life. I also remained in close contact with my former lecturer, Dr. Agata Fijalkowski, whose teaching and mentorship during my time at Lancaster left a lasting impact. It was actually through her encouragement and guidance that I chose to pursue my PhD at Leeds Beckett University, where she now serves as my co-supervisor, which is a perfect example of the continuation of the academic and personal connection we first built at Lancaster.

Before coming to Lancaster, I had an unusual professional background: I spent 15 years as a professional footballer, having played for Benfica, one of Portugal’s most prestigious clubs, where I had the privilege of being coached by Graeme Souness, Jupp Heynckes and a young José Mourinho. I later moved to Norway, where I spent the final ten seasons of my career, playing in the country's two top divisions before retiring from professional football at the age of 32 in 2013. That experience taught me resilience, discipline, and the value of teamwork, all of which have proved just as valuable in public service and academia as they were on the pitch.

I have had the honour of serving as the Deputy Mayor of Notodden Municipality in Norway, where I work actively to strengthen local democracy and build trust between citizens, public administration and elected officials since 2019. My focus has been on ensuring transparent and inclusive governance, protecting the rights of municipal employees and promoting Notodden as both a vibrant place to live and work and an attractive tourism destination. Through close collaboration with local stakeholders and a strong commitment to public service, I have worked hard to deliver tangible results that enhance the everyday lives of our residents while positioning the city for long-term social and economic sustainability. In parallel, I work as an Assistant Professor at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), where I teach several bachelor’s and master’s level courses in the intersection between technology, ethics, international law and politics, including Technology and Society, Security Politics, Cyberwar, and Ethics and Globalisation of Technology.

I am also the international coordinator at our Department of Computer Science, where I manage the Accessibility and Digital Communication programme for incoming international students. I am proud to be part of two dynamic research groups: Innovation, Digital Transformation and Sustainability, where I contribute to multidisciplinary debates on the societal impact of emerging technologies; and the department’s Cybersecurity Group, which is among the most successful in Norway, currently 10.7 times overbooked, the fastest-growing specialization with a +87% increase in demand and the most sought-after programme with over 320 applicants.

In June 2025, I was selected as an International Election Observer through NORCAP, the Norwegian government’s official mechanism for deploying experts to international election observation missions. This role allows me to contribute to democratic development and electoral integrity in fragile or transitioning states; values that are very much aligned with those I developed inter alia at Lancaster.

Academically, I am currently pursuing a PhD in Law at Leeds Law School (Leeds Beckett University). My research focuses on how great power politics and geopolitical rivalry influence the global governance of cyberspace, which is an increasingly urgent issue in international law and diplomacy.

Outside my professional and academic life, I continue to be involved in football as a youth coach (especially for my son), and I write regularly for leading newspapers in Norway and Portugal on issues related to politics, education, international security and ethics.

Looking back, I can confidently say that Lancaster played a pivotal role in shaping my path. Both intellectually, professionally and personally. I remain grateful for the quality of the education I received, the diversity of perspectives I encountered and the international network I became a part of."