Area of work

Background

I am an associate professor and senior lecturer in political science. My research covers a broad spectrum within political science, with a particular interest in political participation, the role of civil society in democracy, interpersonal attitudes, policy inquiry commissions, and public consultations.

Collaboration with the surrounding society is a central part of my work. I am happy to participate in collaborations and dialogues where academic insights can contribute to positive societal development.

Alongside my academic career, I have worked in several policy inquiry commissions and public agencies. I earned my PhD at Örebro University in 2014 and have been a visiting researcher at the Institute for Social Research in Norway and Aarhus University in Denmark. My main employment is at Dalarna University, where I work as the head representative for the political science department.

Teaching

Over the years, I have taught at all levels of political science and developed various courses. In recent years, my teaching has focused on civil society, political participation, public administration, political culture, and social science methods. I have also had the privilege of supervising many talented students at the bachelor's and master's levels, resulting in several interesting theses.

Research

I have conducted research in several different areas. At Marie Cederschiöld University, I am the project leader for the university's research program on civic engagement in Sweden, which is a central part of research on Swedish civil society.

My other research focuses on the political socialization of youth. In a project funded by the Swedish Research Council, I am investigating, along with Ali Abdelzadeh and Jennifer Fitzgerald, the role of experiences during adolescence in political engagement as a young adult. By following up on one of the world's most comprehensive studies on youth socialization, we strive to understand the mechanisms and processes that can promote political engagement.

Another research project involves the participation of interest organizations in government committees in the Nordic countries, in collaboration with researchers at Aarhus University, the Institute for Social Research, and Syracuse University, USA.

An additional research theme concerns the contribution of civil society to democracy. In one project, I examined how participation in civil society affects young people's social trust and tolerance. In another project, I studied how civil society responds to violent extremism at the local level.