This work owes gratitude to many people. First and foremost, my supervisors Arnt Fløysand and Stig-Erik Jakobsen, who first encouraged the project, and then helped me see it through. Not only did they contribute valuable insight into the academic world as co-authors on several of my publications, they were incredibly supportive and constructive even when I did my best to argue against my own work. I also thank them for the many social events and discussions over the years, many of which took place during our travels together. They have contributed far more than might have been expected, for which I am very grateful.