Elin Wihlborg

Elin Wihlborg is a Professor in Political Science at Linköping University's Department of Management and Engineering. Her research examines how digitalization transforms societal structures and citizen-government relationships, emphasizing sustainability, inclusion, and democratic values. She heads the Division of Political Science and chairs multiple university councils, including the Research and Research Education Council.

Education includes:

• Professor (2012)
• Docent in Political Science (2006)
• Doctorate in Technology and Social Change, Linköping University (2000)
• Master's in Gender and Social Policy, London School of Economics (1995)

Her research focuses on three interconnected themes: Digital Public Administration (exploring how digital services reshape citizen-state interactions), Digital Inclusion (developing strategies to bridge digital divides through collaborations with libraries and Digidel networks), and Sustainable Governance (analyzing digitalization's role in urban/regional planning). She leads projects funded by Formas and collaborates internationally, including training programs for Eastern European professionals.

Her publications consistently address crisis governance, digital democracy, and automated public services. Recent work analyzes pandemic-era municipal operations, smart city equity, and Ukraine's digital service resilience during conflict, reflecting a focus on adaptive governance in turbulent contexts.

Awards include:

• Marie Curie scholarship within the Vinnmer programme (2011-2015)

She supervises PhD students researching municipal crisis management, digital inclusion, and local democracy. Current grants support projects on digital skills development and sustainable governance frameworks. Her research group collaborates with public agencies to ensure practical relevance.