Presentation
I am Professor of Comparative Literature and Dean of the Faculty of Culture and Society at Malmö University.
My work brings together research, leadership, and societal development, with a particular focus on storytelling, democracy, representation, and the role of knowledge in society. A common thread running through my career is a commitment to understanding and advancing how knowledge, narratives, and institutions can contribute to a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society.
As a researcher, I have developed expertise in the significance of storytelling and representation for democracy, the public sphere, and knowledge production. My research has contributed to a deeper understanding of how people, experiences, and social issues are made visible, included, or marginalized in cultural, political, and academic contexts. I have worked with documentary genres, oral history, working-class literature, photography, policy documents, and scholarly communication, often focusing on class, gender, intersectionality, and social inclusion.
A recurring theme in my work is the relationship between knowledge and democracy: who is able to articulate experiences and perspectives, whose voices are heard, and how narratives shape both individuals and institutions.
My current research revolves around three interconnected themes: the future of the university, the role of knowledge in democracy, and the significance of storytelling for how individuals and societies understand themselves. I am currently working on book projects on the societal role of universities and on public intellectuals in Sweden, while also conducting research on social mobility, class, and academic careers. What unites these projects is an interest in how knowledge is produced, valued, and used in society, questions that also inform my work as an academic leader.
Alongside my research, I have extensive experience in strategic leadership and organizational development within both higher education and the public sector. I have led knowledge-intensive organizations through periods of change, developed academic environments, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and translated research and policy into institutional development. My roles as dean, head of department, and director of analysis have provided me with particular expertise in strategic governance, change management, quality enhancement, gender mainstreaming, and diversity and inclusion.
I have also worked nationally and internationally on issues related to democracy, gender equality, and institutional development. Among other responsibilities, I led the national Swedish government initiative JÄMI on gender mainstreaming in public agencies, served as Director of Analysis at the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, and contributed to international development and educational programmes through the International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD).
I am one of the founders of Oral History in Sweden, an active member of the Nordic Network for Working-Class Literature Research, and have extensive experience of Nordic and European research collaborations, including AtGender. Over the years, I have built broad experience in initiating and leading collaboration between academia, education, the cultural sector, public administration, and civil society.
My research and leadership are united by an interest in how knowledge, narratives, and institutions shape people’s opportunities to participate in democracy and contribute to sustainable societies.
