Researchers Win Grants to Study Organized Crime and Transnational Actors' Global Influence
Three Stockholm University political scientists have been awarded research grants to examine how organized crime erodes public trust, how transnational actors shape global institutions, and support for radical right parties, the university announced in early November.
PUBLICERAT: 12 november 2025
UPPDATERAT: 12 november 2025
Sirus Håfström Dehdari secured two grants, together with colleagues from Stockholm University and Uppsala University, to investigate mounting strains on Swedish democracy. The first project examines "how structural changes in the labor market and gender differences in educational attainment relate to the growing gender gap in party preferences, with a particular focus on young men in rural areas," Håfström Dehdari said.
The second tackles what researchers describe as an accelerating crisis: "how the surge of organized crime in Sweden is reshaping citizen–state relations."
Meanwhile, his colleagues Carl Vikberg and Jonas Tallberg received funding from the Swedish Research Council to study the conditions under which transnational actors influence international organizations.
Håfström Dehdari's projects align with his broader research agenda. "My research broadly focuses on political behavior and political economy. Most of my work examines political participation and representation, particularly among minority groups, as well as demand-side explanations for support of radical right parties," he said.
Håfström Dehdari, who was promoted to associate professor in June, comes to political science from economics—a path that makes the appointment particularly meaningful. "The political science community—both internationally and in Sweden—has welcomed me with open arms, but being promoted to associate professor in political science feels like a more formal recognition that I truly belong," he said.
The June 17 promotion arrived as "the perfect Midsummer gift." "In the coming years, I plan to conduct studies related to these projects and develop them into future publications," Håfström Dehdari said, adding that "I'm grateful to my colleagues at the department for their support and for creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment that makes coming to work a pleasure."
Research Grants Announced November 6, 2025
From The Swedish Research Council (VR):
Carl Vikberg & Jonas Tallberg: "Transnational Actors in International Organizations: Conditions for Influence". PI: Magnus Lundgren (Associate Professor, University of Gothenburg). Three years, 5 037 000 SEK, of which 2 200 000 SEK goes to Stockholm University.
Sirus Håfström Dehdari: "Structural Changes in the Labor Market, Education, and Support for Radical Right Parties: Changing Voting Behaviors Among Young Men in Rural Areas and Smaller Cities" (e.g. "Strukturella förändringar på arbetsmarknaden, utbildning och stöd för radikala högerpartier: Förändrade väljarbeteenden hos unga män på landsbygd och i mindre städer"). PI: Jens Rydgren (Professor, Stockholm University, sociology) with Zeth Isaksson (PhD student, Stockholm University, sociology). Three years, 5 053 500 SEK of which 1 500 000 SEK goes to SU.
From Riksbankens jubileumsfond (RJ):
Sirus Håfström Dehdari: "Organized Crime and Citizens' Trust in the State" (e.g. "Organiserad brottslighet och medborgares tillit till staten"). PI: Annekatrin Deglow (Assistant Professor, Uppsala University) with Hanne Fjelde (Professor, Uppsala University). Three years, 4 207 228 SEK, of which 1 016 621 SEK goes to Stockholm University.
Last updated: November 12, 2025
Source: Dept of Pol Science