Stockholm university
Stockholm Center on Global Governance

Research

The interdisciplinary research at the Stockholm Center for Global Governance focuses on questions about how global governance works economically, historically, legally, politically and psychologically.

Representatives from different nations sit around a table.
Photo: Andrey Popov, Mostphotos
 

Central themes

We live in an age where global governance is undergoing changes and facing challenges. There is both an increased need for joint problem solving and, at the same time, significant questioning of existing multilateral institutions. Researchers at the center are particularly interested in investigating why, how and with what consequences global cooperation is challenged by various actors at different levels.

Our research focuses primarily on sources, processes and consequences of contestation and also methods of enhancing global governance. These themes are addressed in four main policy areas, namely economy, environment, security and technology. The research aims to shed light on these issues and contribute to an increased understanding of the complex dynamics that affect global cooperation in today's society.

The picture illustrates how our themes are woven into the political areas that is our interdisciplin
The picture illustrates how our themes are woven into the political areas that is our interdisciplinary focus.

 

Theme 1: Sources of contestation

What factors contribute to the contestation of global governance? To what extent, how and why do such reasons for contestation vary across policy areas, countries and time periods? Questioning global governance can have several causes, including: the global power shift; democratic decline around the world; economic, social and political effects of globalization; and new forms of communication, which pave the way for polarization, misinformation and resistance to facts.

Research leader: Jonas Tallberg

Theme 2: Processes of contestation

How is the contestation of global governance expressed? To what extent, how and why do processes of contestation vary between policy areas, countries and time periods? In particular, our researchers examine attitudes, behaviors and discourses as they seek to identify the ways in which the contestation of global cooperation is manifested. Examples include declining citizen support for multinational institutions, states withdrawing from international agreements, and populist politicians expressing anti-globalist discourses.

Research leader: Lisa Dellmuth

Theme 3: Consequences of contestation

What are the effects of global governance contestation? To what extent, how and why do such consequences vary between policy areas, countries and time periods? The research within SCGG mainly pays attention to consequences in four areas: the institutions for global governance, the legitimacy of global governance, the effectiveness of global governance, and the distribution of costs and benefits from global governance.

Research leader: Mark Klamberg

Theme 4: Enhancing global governance

How should national and international actors respond to the increased contestation of global governance? Within this theme, researchers at SCGG engage in three types of forward-looking analysis: normative analysis, which studies how global governance should be improved; empirical analysis, which examines how global governance can be improved; and policy-oriented analysis, which uses workshops with practitioners to explore ideas and ways forward.

Research leader: Antoinette Scherz

You can find more information about our research via projects and activities.

 

Activities

The Stockholm Center for Global Governance organizes a series of events related to research on global governance:

  • Research seminars, where the center's researchers present and discuss ongoing research.
  • Research workshops, where the center's researchers gather to present and discuss research in specific areas.
  • International conferences, where the center's researchers and leading international researchers gather to present and discuss research in specific areas.
  • Guest lectures, where invited external researchers or practitioners lecture on themes within the center's area of interest.

See activities in the calendar

 

Visiting researcher program

The Stockholm Center on Global Governance offers a visiting researcher program for national and international researchers, including doctoral students. The program gives visiting researchers access to a fully equipped workplace, as well as a grant for travels to and from Stockholm. 
The visiting researcher needs to conduct research aligned with the center's main research focus. As a visiting researcher at SCGG, you will participate actively in SCGG activities. There are two tracks.

Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly by our research committee.

Track 1: Senior researchers (after PhD) 
We welcome researchers who would like to get involved in and contribute to our research environment, for example, by giving lectures and participating in seminars and events. Stays should have a length of approximately 1-9 months.
Please contact us at scgg@su.se if you are interested in the program. Applications for visiting scholar status should include the following material: 
-    Motivation letter (max 1 page)
-    CV (max 2 pages)
-    List of 10 most relevant publications (max 2 pages)
-    Research plan with a brief outline of your intended project during your stay and how it relates to the centers activities. (max 2 pages)

Track 2: PhD students
We welcome PhD students who would like to get involved in our research school and center activities, for example, by participating in seminars and events. Stays should have a length of approximately 1-3 months.
Please contact us at scgg@su.se if you are interested in the program. Applications for visiting PhD student status should include the following material: 
-    Motivation letter (max 1 page)
-    CV (max 2 pages)
-    A written confirmation from your primary advisor at your home university confirming their approval of your planned visiting research stay.
-    Research plan with a brief outline of your intended project during your stay and how it relates to the centers activities. (max 2 pages)

 

Seed Funding for Workshops

Are you planning to organize a workshop or outreach event relevant to global governance research?

Apply for Seed Funding for Workshops from SCGG

 

Research projects

 

 

Contact

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Last updated: April 9, 2025

Source: Stockholm Center on Global Governance

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