Race, migration, nationalism

Building on a long‑standing tradition of postcolonial and decolonial scholarship, the theme has become a leading hub for the critical study of race, migration and nationalism in Sweden, the Nordic region and internationally. The research environment is characterised by intellectual rigour and critical courage. Researchers are actively engaged in long‑term national, Nordic and international collaborations and networks, contributing to the ongoing development of the field within and beyond gender studies.

Research focus and perspectives

Drawing on intersectional perspectives on race, class and gender, research within this theme examines how knowledge, institutions and power relations are shaped, maintained and contested. Central areas of inquiry include migration and border regimes, nation‑building and nationalism, labour and inequality, law and justice, human rights, violence, crisis and vulnerability, as well as the growing significance of AI and digital governance.

The research also addresses different forms of racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia, alongside antiracist resistance, mobilisation and political struggle. Particular attention is given to how these processes unfold across historical and contemporary contexts, and within and between local, national and global settings.

Contemporary challenges

Researchers working within this theme engage closely with the multiple crises of our time. This includes analysing the global rise of far‑right, exclusionary and anti‑gender movements, with careful attention to both shared patterns and important differences across regions and national contexts. These analyses contribute to a deeper understanding of how power, inequality and resistance operate in an increasingly interconnected world.

Field development

The theme has successfully attracted substantial research funding from both public and private sources and offers a dynamic and supportive environment for early‑career and senior researchers alike. The research environment also draws strong interest from visiting scholars and guest professors who contribute to its ongoing intellectual exchange.