Marlene Ågerstrand Lektor

My research focuses on the science-policy interface in the risk assessment and management of chemicals. I am particularly interested in how scientific data is integrated into decision-making, the effectiveness of management strategies, and the role of experts in shaping policy. Our research primarily employs qualitative methods, such as document analysis and interviews.

I am passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, working with ecologists, toxicologists, chemists, political scientists, and environmental lawyers. Engaging with diverse stakeholders is central to my work, including regulators and policy officers at national, EU, and international organizations such as the Swedish Chemicals Agency, the European Chemicals Agency, the European Commission Joint Research Centre, and the OECD.

In collaboration with colleagues at Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet, I co-developed SciRAP (www.scirap.org), a web-based tool that supports hazard and risk assessment of chemicals. SciRAP provides structured methods for evaluating the reliability and relevance of toxicity, ecotoxicity, and epidemiology studies.

Additionally, I serve on the Board of the International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP, www.ipcp.org), an academic organization committed to providing impartial assessments of research and policy on chemical pollution and waste. IPCP fosters a global network of independent academic researchers to support regional and international science-policy frameworks.

We welcome motivated Master's and Bachelor's thesis students to join our research group! Potential topics include improving risk assessment and regulation of chemicals, understanding science-policy interactions in chemical management, or exploring the barriers and opportunities for a non-toxic circular economy. If you are interested in tackling these important challenges, feel free to contact me to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration.

Our research group consists of PhD students Alicia Arriaza, Elin Leander, Mathilda Andreassen and Persa Xyderou; postdoctoral researchers Linnea Cederholm, Natasja Börjeson and Romain Figuière; and researchers Axel Mie, Christina Ruden and myself.