Cultural Heritage & Historical Processes

This profile area studies how both material and immaterial remnants of the past are preserved and given meaning in interactions between people over time. Key actors include nations, states and their institutions, as well as international organisations and, to an increasing degree, local and regional entrepreneurs. The area studies how conservation processes include both trading and reinterpretation, and how the designation of cultural heritage is a fundamentally political process that is often linked to issues of identity and recognition. In addition, it studies the underlying mechanisms of societal development trends and progression patterns. The proximity to national archives, museums and other institutions in the region provides access to empirical data and opportunities for extensive collaboration with the surrounding community.

Internationalisation & Migration

This profile area studies the economic, cultural, linguistic, social and environmental consequences of global flows of individuals, goods and information, as well as the infrastructure and networks that are created as a result of internationalisation and globalisation. Subsequently, it studies changes that result from migration, both in the present and historically, as well as multilingualism as a consequence of migration.  The research explores how the world is affected by and changes through international flows, contacts and exchanges of ideas and services. The area is involved in outreach activities on a regular basis, and collaboration takes place with several national and international organisations.

Language & Learning

Language is a tool for thinking, communication, learning and identity formation, as well as for various aesthetic and cultural expressions. Stockholm University conducts research and education in more than thirty languages. The profile area focuses on issues relating to language acquisition, multilingualism, language history, language philosophy, language education, language development and linguistic changes in different stages of life. Language is central to, for example, law, literature, media and various aesthetic processes, which means that the area includes research that focuses on both the instrumental functions of languages and their cultural and representative expressions.  Contact between languages, in the form of translation and other multilingual practices, is also explored. The area’s researchers move between thousand-year-old written artefacts and the problems and opportunities of the digital age.

Norms, Laws & Ethics

This profile area reflects on and analyses norms, laws and regulations, as well as boundaries of norms and possibilities and limitations of normativity. Research and education in this area include ethical issues relating to human and social attitudes. Research on crime and punishment is conducted in a wide range of disciplines. The profile area covers issues relating to human rights, international conflict management and norm-critical perspectives. Researchers in the profile area engage in extensive outreach activities by acting as experts, communicating knowledge through the media, and writing consultation responses on legislative matters.

Power, Democracy & Welfare

This profile area studies power, democracy and welfare, as well as their interactions with each other. The research encompasses societal challenges including climate change, migration, globalisation, digitalisation, a reformed education system, an ageing population and a changing media landscape. Moreover, the research studies how these challenges influence, and are influenced by, management and governance at different levels, as well as by democratic institutions. The proximity to government agencies and national politics nourishes the area, and both research and education are conducted in close collaboration with public and private actors at the local, national and international levels.

Society, Organisations & Individuals

Society’s institutions are created by individuals with both common and conflicting desires. The challenges faced by human societies change over time and are subject to continuous analysis and discussion. Research and education in the area focus on the well-being, attitudes, values and actions of individuals, both individually and in social contexts. This profile area studies various goals and forms of governance within nations, regions, companies and other organisations, as well as the media. Collaboration with government agencies and international organisations is well established and well developed.

Visual Representations & Interfaces

Research and education in Human Science works increasingly with various types of images and visualisations in order to explain, highlight, interpret or illustrate complex phenomena and contexts. Examples include graphs, charts, diagrams, illustrations, aesthetic expressions and, to an increasing extent, different types of digital interfaces. In addition, research is conducted on how people relate to, interact with and create visual representations. All of this places great demands on the continuous development of methods and theories. In addition, it creates opportunities for new types of interdisciplinary meeting places within the University, as well as between the University and various external actors – everything from cultural and research institutions to companies and government agencies.

Worlds & conditions of children and youth

This profile area includes studies of children and youth as active participants in school, peer life and family life, as well as their ideas, rights and vulnerability. Learning, communication and identification are studied from the perspective of children and adolescents. In addition, the area studies children’s culture: literature, music, film and theatre productions aimed at children, as well as the portrayal of children and young people in various artistic expressions, including style and fashion. Practice-oriented collaboration with schools in Stockholm County is extensive, and a continually running series of open seminars is organised with participants from academia and the community.